Group 1 Prompt Is Shown After the Prompts Descriptions on Page 6

International Public Support for Self-Determination Groups: Exploring Support for Different Tactics

HIT Recruitment Text

Note: HIT recruitment text is very concise. The description below reflects that.

Description: Read a news story about current events and then complete a questionnaire.

Participation time: 15 minutes

Compensation: $0.75

Experimental Stimuli

NOTE: Participants randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups will only be exposed to one of the following treatments. Each of the prompts will be presented in front of a BBC graphic background. An example of the Group 1 prompt is shown after the prompts descriptions on page 6.

Group 1: Control Group

Leader requests invitation to cease fire accords

Leader of group in eastern Ukraine seeks inclusion in new multilateral peace talks

After two failed cease fire accords between the Ukrainian military and non-government armed forces in eastern Ukraine, leaders from several countries will meet in Paris later this month attempting to broker a new agreement.

The leader in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, Alexander Zakharchenko, formally requested an invitation to the upcoming peace talks yesterday. He has not been invited to any of the previous cease fire discussions.

Citizens in the Donetsk People’s Republic declared their independence from Ukraine in 2014.

The UN reports that the human rights situation has deteriorated and that abuses have been committed by all sides in the conflict. They estimate over 10,000 people have been killed and another 22,000 injured since fighting broke out in April 2014. The lack of security and intense military hostilities have contributed to a total breakdown in the rule of law.

Group 2: Elections

Leader requests invitation to cease fire accords

Leader of group in eastern Ukraine seeks inclusion in new multilateral peace talks

The elected leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Alexander Zakharchenko, formally requested an invitation to the upcoming peace talks yesterday. He has not been invited to any of the previous cease fire discussions.

Citizens of the Donetsk People’s Republic have praised the declaration of independence and are supportive of Zakharchenko’s request for inclusion in the peace talks.

“The 2014 declaration from Ukraine has been recognized by our people and Zakharchenko must be included in the peace process. This war is causing great harm and needs to stop,” Vladislav Hrytsenko, a resident of Donetsk, told reporters.

The UN reports that the human rights situation has worsened and that abuses have been committed by all sides in the conflict. They estimate over 10,000 people have been killed and another 22,000 injured since fighting broke out in April 2014. The lack of security and intense military hostilities have contributed to a total breakdown in the rule of law.

Group 3: Stone Throwing

Leader requests invitation to cease fire accords

Leader of group in eastern Ukraine seeks inclusion in new multilateral peace talks

Citizens in the Donetsk People’s Republic declared their independence from Ukraine in 2014. A variety of actors in the opposition have been throwing stones and rocks at cars, windows, and people throughout the conflict.

“The stone throwing will continue until Zakharchenko is included in the peace process. This war is causing great harm and needs to stop,” Vladislav Hrytsenko, a resident of Donetsk, told reporters.

Group 4: Terrorism

Leader requests invitation to cease fire accords

Leader of group in eastern Ukraine seeks inclusion in new multilateral peace talks

Citizens in the Donetsk People’s Republic declared their independence from Ukraine in 2014. A variety of actors in the opposition have been employing terrorist tactics throughout the conflict.

“The terrorist tactics will continue until Zakharchenko is included in the peace process. This war is causing great harm and needs to stop,” Vladislav Hrytsenko, a resident of Donetsk, told reporters.

Group 5: Demonstrations

Leader requests invitation to cease fire accords

Leader of group in eastern Ukraine seeks inclusion in new multilateral peace talks

Citizens in the Donetsk People’s Republic declared their independence from Ukraine in 2014. A variety of actors in the opposition have been employing nonviolent tactics throughout the conflict, including small and large demonstrations.

“The demonstrations will continue until Zakharchenko is included in the peace process. This war is causing great harm and needs to stop,” Vladislav Hrytsenko, a resident of Donetsk, told reporters.

Group 6: Nonviolent Interventions

Leader requests invitation to cease fire accords

Leader of group in eastern Ukraine seeks inclusion in new multilateral peace talks

Citizens in the Donetsk People’s Republic declared their independence from Ukraine in 2014. A variety of actors in the opposition have been employing nonviolent intervention tactics throughout the conflict, including sit-ins, occupations, or blockades.

“The sit-ins, occupations, and blockades will continue until Zakharchenko is included in the peace process. This war is causing great harm and needs to stop,” Vladislav Hrytsenko, a resident of Donetsk, told reporters.

Leader requests invitation to cease fire accords

Leader of group in eastern Ukraine seeks inclusion in new multilateral peace talks

Citizens in the Donetsk People’s Republic declared their independence from Ukraine in 2014. A variety of actors in the opposition have been employing nonviolent social non-cooperation throughout the conflict, including hunger strikes and one self-immolation.

“The hunger strikes will continue until Zakharchenko is included in the peace process. This war is causing great harm and needs to stop,” Vladislav Hrytsenko, a resident of Donetsk, told reporters.

Sample of Control Prompt Note: the date used in the article will reflect when the survey is conducted (for example, if it’s conducted on Apr 2, then the date will say 2 April 2017)

Questionnaire:

**Instructions**

Q1.1: Thank you for participating in this survey. Please click on the arrows located at the bottom right corner when you are ready to proceed.

**Consent Form** Q1.2: Consent form [presented above]

**Declining to Participate** Q1.3: If you decline to participate in the study, you may close this browser window. You will not receive compensation.

**Article Instructions** Q1.4: The following screen will ask you to read a short article. It will display the text for a minimum of 30 seconds before you may move on and you may take as long as you need to read the article. Please read the article closely. Click on the arrows located at the bottom right corner when you are ready to proceed.

** Participants will only read one of the prompts**

Q2.1-Q8.1 New Story Prompts [presented above]

**Instructions before the questionnaire **

Q9: We will now ask you a series of questions related to aspects of the article you just read. For each question, express your opinion by selecting the response that best corresponds with your own beliefs. Click on the arrows located at the bottom right corner when you are ready to proceed.

**News Story Questions. Question order for Q10.1-Q10.7 is randomized**

Q10.1 What is your overall opinion of Ukraine?1  Very Favorable  Favorable  Neutral  Unfavorable  Very Unfavorable

Q10.2 What is your overall opinion of the Donetsk People’s Republic?2  Very Favorable  Favorable  Neutral

1 Adapted from “What is your overall opinion of Ukraine? Is it favorable, mostly favorable, mostly unfavorable, or very unfavorable?” Gallup Organization, February 8-February 11, 2015 2 See fn. 1 9

 Unfavorable  Very Unfavorable

Q10.3 What is your overall opinion of Alexander Zakharchenko?3  Very Favorable  Favorable  Neutral  Unfavorable  Very Unfavorable

Q10.4 The Donetsk People’s Republic recently announced new elections scheduled for May 2017. Do you support or oppose these elections taking place?  Strongly Support  Support  Neural  Oppose  Strongly Oppose

Q10.5 Do you think Alexander Zakharchenko should be invited to the upcoming peace talks?  Yes  No

Q10.6 Do you think Alexander Zakharchenko should be invited to make a formal appeal to the United Nations on behalf of the Donetsk region?  Yes  No

Q10.7 Do you think that the Donetsk People’s Republic should be recognized as an independent country?  Yes  No

**Alliances Prompt**

Q11.1: The following screen will provide you with additional information regarding the article you just read. It will display the text for a minimum of 10 seconds before you may move on and you may take as long as you need to read the article. Please read the information closely. Click on the arrows located at the bottom right corner when you are ready to proceed.

Q11.2: As you may know, the Donetsk People’s Republic declared independence from Ukraine in 2014. The Ukrainian government, the United States government, European Union and United Nations have all rejected Donetsk’s independence claim. Russia, however, has supported the Donetsk People’s Republic independence by offering monetary and military aid to the fighters in the Donetsk region.

3 See fn. 1

We will now ask you about a series of possible actions the United States and its allies could take to stop Russia from giving aid to Donetsk fighters. For each possible action, express your opinion by selecting the response that best corresponds with your own beliefs.4 Click on the arrows located at the bottom right corner when you are ready to proceed.

**Alliance Questions. Question order is randomized **

Q12.1 Impose economic sanctions on Russia  Strongly Support  Support  Neutral  Oppose  Strongly Oppose

Q12.2 Provide economic assistance to the Ukrainian government  Strongly Support  Support  Neutral  Oppose  Strongly Oppose

Q12.3 Send weapons and other military supplies to the Ukrainian government  Strongly Support  Support  Neutral  Oppose  Strongly Oppose

Q12.4 U.S. military action in Ukraine involving air strikes but no ground troops  Strongly Support  Support  Neutral  Oppose  Strongly Oppose

Q12.5 Send U.S. ground troops to Ukraine  Strongly Support  Support  Neutral  Oppose  Strongly Oppose

Q12.6 No U.S. action

4 Adapted from CNN/ORC Poll Question, March 7-9, 2014. Original question was” "Here are some actions which the United States and its allies might take to try to force Russia to remove its troops from the Crimean Peninsula and to make sure Russia does not send troops into other parts of Ukraine. Which of these actions do you favor and which do you oppose? ..."

 Strongly Support  Support  Neutral  Oppose  Strongly Oppose

**Demographic, Control, and Debrief**

Attention Check Question

Q13. Which of the following groups did you read about earlier in this session?  Crimea People’s Republic  Donetsk People’s Republic  Luhansk People’s Republic  None of the above

Demographic Questions: Q14. Please select the category that includes your current age:  18-24  25-34  35-44  44-54  54-64  65 and above

Q.15 Would you describe yourself as?  American Indian / Native American  Asian  Black / African American  Hispanic / Latino  White / Caucasian  Pacific Islander  Other  Prefer not to respond

Q.16 Do you identify as Ukrainian?  Yes  No

Q.17 What do you expect your 2017 family income from all sources before taxes to be?  Under $25,000  $25,000 - $39,999  $40,000 - $49,999  $50,000 - $74,999  $75,000 - $99,999  $100,000 - $124,999  $125,000 - $149,999

 Over $150,000  Prefer not to respond

Q.18 What is your sex?  Male  Female  Transgender  Prefer not to respond

Q.19 In which region of the United States did you spend most of your childhood?  Midwest - IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI  Northeast - CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT  South - AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV  West - AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY  Spent childhood in a different country. Please specify______

Q.20 What is the highest level of education that you have completed?  Some high school, but did not finish  Completed high school  Some college, but did not finish  Two-year college degree / A.A / A.S.  Four-year college degree / B.A. / B.S.  Some Masters or professional-level degree work, but did not finish  Completed Masters or professional degree  Some advanced Graduate or PhD-level work  Completed Advanced Graduate work or Ph.D.

Q.21 Generally speaking, do you consider yourself to be a(n):  Democrat  Independent leaning Democrat  Independent leaning Republican  Republican  Other  Don’t know / Haven’t thought about it

Q.22 Where would you place your own political views on this scale?  Extremely liberal  Liberal  Slightly liberal  Moderate  Slightly conservative  Conservative  Extremely Conservative  Don’t know / Haven’t thought about it

Q.23 Who did you vote for in the 2016 Presidential election?5  Hillary Clinton  Donald Trump  Someone else (please specify)  I did not vote

Q.24 What, if any, is your religious preference?  Evangelical Christian  Roman Catholic  Greek Orthodox Church  Ukrainian Orthodox Church  LDS / Mormon  Jewish  Hindu  Anglican  Baptist  Lutheran  Methodist  Presbyterian  Sunni Muslim  Shi’a Muslim  Buddhist  Other  No Preference / No religious affiliation  Prefer not to say

Q.25 How active do you consider yourself in the practice of your religious preference?  Very active  Somewhat active  Not very active  Not at all active  Does not apply / Prefer not to say

News Consumption Questions Q.26 During a typical week, how many days to you watch, read, or listen to the news?6  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7

5 Adapted from: In the Presidential primary or caucus, who did you vote for? -- http://www.electionstudies.org/studypages/anes_timeseries_2016/anes_timeseries_2016_qnaire_pre.pdf 6 Adopted from 2012 ANES Pre-Election Survey. Original Question: “During a typical week, how many days do you watch, read, or listen to news?

Q.27 How much attention do you pay to national news?7  A great deal  A lot  A moderate amount  A little  None at all

Q.28 How much attention do you pay to global news?8  A great deal  A lot  A moderate amount  A little  None at all

Q.29 Excluding the article you just read, how much have you read or heard about tensions in Ukraine over territory in eastern Ukraine? Have you heard a lot, a little, or nothing at all?9  A lot  A little  Nothing at all

Manipulation Check Question

Q.30 Earlier in this survey you may have read a selection from a news website about the peace talks. Regarding the selection you read, would you say that: ● The article was a real news story. ● The article was based on a real news story. ● The article did not seems like a real news story, but sounded like something I could find in an actual newspaper or website ● The article did not seem like a real news story and did not sound like anything I would find in an actual newspaper or website.

Debrief

Q.31 Thank you for your participation in the survey. On the following screen, you will receive a verification code to redeem your payment in MTurk. Copy and paste the code to receive your compensation.

You read an article earlier in the survey regarding upcoming peace talks. The text was written by the researchers and is not an actual BBC news story. The content of the story was created by the researchers. The purpose of this study was to examine how different ways of describing the Donetsk region and its leader affect the types of views that people have.

7 Adopted from 2012 ANES Pre-Election Survey. Original Question: “How much attention do you pay to news about national politics on the Internet?” 8 Question draws from 2012 ANES Pre-Election Survey Original Question and McEntire et al 2015 question “How often do you follow world news” 9 Adopted from “How much, if anything, have you read or heard about tensions between Russia and Ukraine over territory in eastern Ukraine? Have you heard a lot, a little, or nothing at all?” Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, February 18-February 22, 2015

We used some factual and some fictional information to achieve the purpose of our research and maintain the scientific integrity of the study.

The factual information: (a) there is currently an ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine, where some factions in the east are attempting to break from the state; (b) the numbers of causalities referenced is directly cited from a 2016 United Nations report; (c) the declaration of independence in the Donetsk region happened in 2014, but was condemned by the United States, European Union, and United Nations; (d) the “separatists” have received substantial support from Russia as well; (e) there have also been multiple failed peace talks.

The fictional information: (a) there is no record of Zakharchenko asking for inclusion in any round of peace talks; (b) peace talks are not scheduled for later this month.

The researchers apologize for the minor deception involved in the study, but it was necessary in order help improve our understanding of the factors that affect public opinion.

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or choose to withdraw your responses from the study, contact the researchers at [email protected]”

Works Cited

Note: The works cited will not be presented to subjects, it is merely included here for reference purposes.

BBC Banner: https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.web40571.clarahost.co.uk%2Fbiog%2Fpix%2FOnli neHeader.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.web40571.clarahost.co.uk%2Fbiog%2Fprofnow.htm&docid=zvP5V tq4u4dXmM&tbnid=PV_STBG- NJfLOM%3A&w=761&h=143&bih=950&biw=1920&ved=0ahUKEwjR65f88vHPAhWDWD4KHb- NDdwQMwgcKAAwAA&iact=mrc&uact=8#h=143&imgdii=PV_STBG-NJfLOM%3A%3BPV_STBG- NJfLOM%3A%3BBnrYAJLU0C-dgM%3A&w=761

Clock: http://www.freepik.com/free-icons

“Russia backs separatist vote in Ukraine” 2014. The Guardian. Oct 28, 2014. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/28/russia-backs-separatist-vote-donbass-ukraine-sergei-lavrov

United Nations. 2016. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine 16 May to 15 August 2016. http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/Ukraine15thReport.pdf

United Nations. 2016. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine 16 Feb to 15 May 2016. http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/Ukraine_14th_HRMMU_Report.pdf

“Why are Ukraine separatist elections controversial?” BBC News. 1 Nov 2014. http://www.bbc.com/news/world- europe-29831028