Testing the Wahi: The Efficacy of Online Interactive Videos in Delivering Health Content

Theoretical Background and research questions/hypothesis: Research into tailoring content to an individual’s needs has indicated success in enhancing learning and comprehension of health material. When coupled with the interactive nature of online technologies, this format for health information delivery has the potential to be even more compelling. An innovative technology, called the Wahi (web-automated human interaction), is an online interactive video system in which users are prompted to answer questions throughout the video. The answers to these questions are then used by to deliver tailored video segments that will be of particular interest to each user. The videos engage the user through audio/visual means as well as the interactivity of answering questions throughout the presentation. This highly interactive format coupled with tailored content has the potential to truly enhance the user’s elaboration and comprehension of the content presented. The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of this innovative system through an experimental design comparing the Wahi to a static website. The following hypotheses and research question will be examined: H1-3. Individuals who view the Wahi video will find it more engaging (H1), elaborate on content more (H2), and understand the concepts presented better (H3),  than those who view the static website; and RQ. What variables moderate this relationship?    

Methods: An experimental design will be used to test the questions posed. Stimulus material for the study will consist of a Wahi video focusing on safe sex and substance abuse and a static website that mirrors the content of the video. We will recruit 300 college students for the study and randomly assign each to either the Wahi video or static website condition. After 20 minutes of exposure participants will answer a post-test questionnaire assessing their engagement with the content, elaboration of the content, knowledge of the subject matter, potential moderator variables (need for cognition, sensation seeking, impulsive decision making), and demographic variables.

Results: Final preparations for the study are currently underway. Data will be collected in June and July, with results available by August.

Conclusions: and

Implications for research and/or practice: Implications of this research have the potential to impact health communication practices and research. If the Wahi video proves to enhance engagement, elaboration, and comprehension of material for the user, then the potential uses of this innovation are limitless. Within the realm of health communication, highly interactive and engaging videos have the potential to educate people about a wide range of topics, especially those that may be complex to learn or embarrassing to discuss (i.e., educating teens about puberty or helping parents talk to their kids about uncomfortable topics such as drug use and sex). In addition to practical implications, results from this research may greatly impact what we currently know about tailoring and how to further enhance this form of presentation. The level of interactivity presented in these videos is like no other online experience. However, to our knowledge, there has been no research into the effectiveness of such technology. Therefore, this research has the potential to break new ground in the field of health communication.