Kelly Merrill
Biographic Data
| ID | 4815644 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Kelly Merrill |
| GIVEN NAMES | Kelly |
| FAMILY NAME | Merrill |
| SIGNATURE | MERRILL K |
| AFFILIATIONS | The Ohio State University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-1221-3789 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 16 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 18 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 16 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2018 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Addressing Discrimination in Healthcare: LGBTQ+ Perspectives and Solutions
LGBTQ+ people are frequently exposed to stressors in healthcare settings, including homophobic policies, refusal of care, misgendering, and other forms of mistreatment. Many of these stressors disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ patients in ways not typically experienced by their heterosexual or cisgender counterparts, contributing to inequities in care. These encounters have meaningful consequences for the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ patients. …
Dyadic and Longitudinal Influences of Sexual Communication on Relationship Satisfaction, Emotional Intimacy, and Daily Affect Among Same-Sex Male Couples
The influences of sexual communication on relational outcomes have garnered attention in the current literature, but such dynamics have seldom been explored among same-sex couples using dyadic, longitudinal data. The current study investigates the actor (i.e. on the individual self) and partner (i.e. on the partner) effects of sexual communication (presence and quality) on relationship satisfaction, emotional intimacy, and daily affect among same…
Investigating the importance of social presence on intentions to adopt an AI romantic partner
Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has created the possibility of a machine agent serving as a relationship partner. Though this may sound like a radical idea, this type of technology is already available. To understand this new and unique phenomenon, the present study investigates perceptions of an AI romantic partner in a serial multiple mediator model. Based on data collected from male, undergraduate students, the study finds that the per…
Trust, perceived usefulness, and intentions to adopt robotic health advisors for physical and relational health issues
AI and robots are continuously being used in a variety of health contexts. To better understand this emerging phenomenon of employing machines in healthcare, the present research investigates trust in a robotic health advisor and intentions to adopt it by comparing a robotic health advisor designed to assist with physical health vs. relational health. An online experiment that employed a two-group comparison with a between-subjects design was con…
Dynamic roles of social presence and individual differences in social TV platforms
These days, many individuals engage in a unique form of TV viewing that includes a simultaneous act of watching television content and talking about it with others in a mediated environment. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as social TV viewing. Responding to the popularity of this form of TV viewing behavior, the present study examines the individual differences of the social TV viewing experience, particularly with regard to different co…
Learning in the Online Classroom: Exploring the Unique Influence of Social Presence Dimensions
Exploring social presence could help create socially rich learning experiences in an online learning environment. To better understand social presence in online education, the present study conducted an online survey with 430 undergraduate students in the U.S. during the time of the COVID 19 pandemic in 2020. Results from an EFA (Exploratory Factor Analysis) reveal a five-dimensional measurement of social presence in the online learning context, …
AI companions for lonely individuals and the role of social presence
Artificial intelligence (AI) companiosns (e.g., social machine agents, social robots) are becoming increasingly available. Considering that AI companions can be beneficial for individuals seeking companionships or relationships, the social and relational aspects of an AI companion are important to investigate. To understand people’s perceptions of an AI companion, this study examines the roles of social presence and warmth of an AI companion thro…
Perceived credibility of an AI instructor in online education: The role of social presence and voice features
Man vs. machine: Human responses to an AI newscaster and the role of social presence
Technology advancements made the possibility of artificial intelligence (AI) newscasters a reality. Some news stations across the world have already employed AI to deliver the news, and more news stations may continue this trend. However, little is known about how the audience will respond to news when it is delivered by AI. Thus, the present study investigates people’s perceptions about an AI newscaster, compared to a human newscaster, in the co…
Embracing AI-Based Education: Perceived Social Presence of Human Teachers and Expectations About Machine Teachers in Online Education
Technological advancements in education have turned the idea of machines as teachers into a reality. To better understand this phenomenon, the present study explores how college students develop expectations (or anticipations) about a machine teacher, particularly an AI teaching assistant. Specifically, the study examines whether students’ previous experiences with online courses taught by a human teacher would influence their expectations about …
AI as a friend or assistant: The mediating role of perceived usefulness in social AI vs. functional AI
Social TV viewing during the Covid-19 lockdown: The mediating role of social presence
My Teacher Is a Machine: Understanding Students’ Perceptions of AI Teaching Assistants in Online Education
An increase in demand for online education has led to the creation of a new technology, machine teachers, or artificial intelligence (AI) teaching assistants. In fact, AI teaching assistants have already been implemented in a small number of courses in the United States. However, little is known about how students will perceive AI teaching assistants. Thus, the present study investigated students’ perceptions about AI teaching assistants in highe…
Touchdown together: Social TV viewing and social presence in a physical co-viewing context
Social TV viewing has changed the way individuals watch television content. Interestingly, individuals still engage with virtual co-viewers in an online space while watching television with others in a physically shared space. To address the unique nature of social TV viewing in a physical co-viewing context, the present study distributed an online survey regarding people’s television-watching behavior, particularly in the context of the Super Bo…
Go Long or Go Often: Influences on Binge Watching Frequency and Duration among College Students
Binge watching, or serial viewing of a single program over an extended period of time, is a relatively new norm in television viewing that is becoming more popular than traditional appointment viewing. Previous research has explored various influences on binge watching; however, the current research is unique in exploring theoretically and empirically grounded predictors of both binge watching frequency and duration of binge watching sessions by …
Probing with Pokémon: Feeling of presence and sense of community belonging
Once frequently associated with a social disconnection and a sedentary life style, digital games are inviting reconsideration of their values for health benefits and community building. Pokémon GO, a location-based mobile game application, has the capacity to motivate their users to get out and explore the community. Based on a survey with 325 Pokémon GO users, this study tested if a feeling of presence during Pokémon GO gameplay is related to bu…
Go Long or Go Often: Influences on Binge Watching Frequency and Duration among College Students
Binge watching, or serial viewing of a single program over an extended period of time, is a relatively new norm in television viewing that is becoming more popular than traditional appointment viewing. Previous research has explored various influences on binge watching; however, the current research is unique in exploring theoretically and empirically grounded predictors of both binge watching frequency and duration of binge watching sessions by …
Social TV viewing during the Covid-19 lockdown: The mediating role of social presence
Man vs. machine: Human responses to an AI newscaster and the role of social presence
Technology advancements made the possibility of artificial intelligence (AI) newscasters a reality. Some news stations across the world have already employed AI to deliver the news, and more news stations may continue this trend. However, little is known about how the audience will respond to news when it is delivered by AI. Thus, the present study investigates people’s perceptions about an AI newscaster, compared to a human newscaster, in the co…
Touchdown together: Social TV viewing and social presence in a physical co-viewing context
Social TV viewing has changed the way individuals watch television content. Interestingly, individuals still engage with virtual co-viewers in an online space while watching television with others in a physically shared space. To address the unique nature of social TV viewing in a physical co-viewing context, the present study distributed an online survey regarding people’s television-watching behavior, particularly in the context of the Super Bo…
Probing with Pokémon: Feeling of presence and sense of community belonging
Once frequently associated with a social disconnection and a sedentary life style, digital games are inviting reconsideration of their values for health benefits and community building. Pokémon GO, a location-based mobile game application, has the capacity to motivate their users to get out and explore the community. Based on a survey with 325 Pokémon GO users, this study tested if a feeling of presence during Pokémon GO gameplay is related to bu…
Probing with Pokémon: Feeling of presence and sense of community belonging
Once frequently associated with a social disconnection and a sedentary life style, digital games are inviting reconsideration of their values for health benefits and community building. Pokémon GO, a location-based mobile game application, has the capacity to motivate their users to get out and explore the community. Based on a survey with 325 Pokémon GO users, this study tested if a feeling of presence during Pokémon GO gameplay is related to bu…
Go Long or Go Often: Influences on Binge Watching Frequency and Duration among College Students
Binge watching, or serial viewing of a single program over an extended period of time, is a relatively new norm in television viewing that is becoming more popular than traditional appointment viewing. Previous research has explored various influences on binge watching; however, the current research is unique in exploring theoretically and empirically grounded predictors of both binge watching frequency and duration of binge watching sessions by …
My Teacher Is a Machine: Understanding Students’ Perceptions of AI Teaching Assistants in Online Education
An increase in demand for online education has led to the creation of a new technology, machine teachers, or artificial intelligence (AI) teaching assistants. In fact, AI teaching assistants have already been implemented in a small number of courses in the United States. However, little is known about how students will perceive AI teaching assistants. Thus, the present study investigated students’ perceptions about AI teaching assistants in highe…
Touchdown together: Social TV viewing and social presence in a physical co-viewing context
Social TV viewing has changed the way individuals watch television content. Interestingly, individuals still engage with virtual co-viewers in an online space while watching television with others in a physically shared space. To address the unique nature of social TV viewing in a physical co-viewing context, the present study distributed an online survey regarding people’s television-watching behavior, particularly in the context of the Super Bo…
Embracing AI-Based Education: Perceived Social Presence of Human Teachers and Expectations About Machine Teachers in Online Education
Technological advancements in education have turned the idea of machines as teachers into a reality. To better understand this phenomenon, the present study explores how college students develop expectations (or anticipations) about a machine teacher, particularly an AI teaching assistant. Specifically, the study examines whether students’ previous experiences with online courses taught by a human teacher would influence their expectations about …
AI as a friend or assistant: The mediating role of perceived usefulness in social AI vs. functional AI
Social TV viewing during the Covid-19 lockdown: The mediating role of social presence
Dynamic roles of social presence and individual differences in social TV platforms
These days, many individuals engage in a unique form of TV viewing that includes a simultaneous act of watching television content and talking about it with others in a mediated environment. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as social TV viewing. Responding to the popularity of this form of TV viewing behavior, the present study examines the individual differences of the social TV viewing experience, particularly with regard to different co…
Learning in the Online Classroom: Exploring the Unique Influence of Social Presence Dimensions
Exploring social presence could help create socially rich learning experiences in an online learning environment. To better understand social presence in online education, the present study conducted an online survey with 430 undergraduate students in the U.S. during the time of the COVID 19 pandemic in 2020. Results from an EFA (Exploratory Factor Analysis) reveal a five-dimensional measurement of social presence in the online learning context, …
AI companions for lonely individuals and the role of social presence
Artificial intelligence (AI) companiosns (e.g., social machine agents, social robots) are becoming increasingly available. Considering that AI companions can be beneficial for individuals seeking companionships or relationships, the social and relational aspects of an AI companion are important to investigate. To understand people’s perceptions of an AI companion, this study examines the roles of social presence and warmth of an AI companion thro…
Perceived credibility of an AI instructor in online education: The role of social presence and voice features
Man vs. machine: Human responses to an AI newscaster and the role of social presence
Technology advancements made the possibility of artificial intelligence (AI) newscasters a reality. Some news stations across the world have already employed AI to deliver the news, and more news stations may continue this trend. However, little is known about how the audience will respond to news when it is delivered by AI. Thus, the present study investigates people’s perceptions about an AI newscaster, compared to a human newscaster, in the co…
Investigating the importance of social presence on intentions to adopt an AI romantic partner
Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has created the possibility of a machine agent serving as a relationship partner. Though this may sound like a radical idea, this type of technology is already available. To understand this new and unique phenomenon, the present study investigates perceptions of an AI romantic partner in a serial multiple mediator model. Based on data collected from male, undergraduate students, the study finds that the per…
Trust, perceived usefulness, and intentions to adopt robotic health advisors for physical and relational health issues
AI and robots are continuously being used in a variety of health contexts. To better understand this emerging phenomenon of employing machines in healthcare, the present research investigates trust in a robotic health advisor and intentions to adopt it by comparing a robotic health advisor designed to assist with physical health vs. relational health. An online experiment that employed a two-group comparison with a between-subjects design was con…
Dyadic and Longitudinal Influences of Sexual Communication on Relationship Satisfaction, Emotional Intimacy, and Daily Affect Among Same-Sex Male Couples
The influences of sexual communication on relational outcomes have garnered attention in the current literature, but such dynamics have seldom been explored among same-sex couples using dyadic, longitudinal data. The current study investigates the actor (i.e. on the individual self) and partner (i.e. on the partner) effects of sexual communication (presence and quality) on relationship satisfaction, emotional intimacy, and daily affect among same…
Addressing Discrimination in Healthcare: LGBTQ+ Perspectives and Solutions
LGBTQ+ people are frequently exposed to stressors in healthcare settings, including homophobic policies, refusal of care, misgendering, and other forms of mistreatment. Many of these stressors disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ patients in ways not typically experienced by their heterosexual or cisgender counterparts, contributing to inequities in care. These encounters have meaningful consequences for the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ patients. …
Psychology (15 works) · Social Psychology (12 works) · Computer Science (7 works) · Impact of Technology on Adolescents (6 works) · Media Influence and Health (6 works) · Perception (6 works) · Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts (6 works) · Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion (5 works) · Social Psychology (5 works) · Advertising (4 works)