Crigler's research examines how people understand and learn about politics from the news media. She has co-authored several publications on this subject including three books: Common Knowledge: News and the Construction of Political Meaning with W.R. Neuman and M. Just (University of Chicago Press, 1992); an edited volume, The Psychology of Political Communication (University of Michigan Press, 1996), and a co-authored book on media and the 1992 presidential campaign entitled Crosstalk: Citizens, Candidates and the Media in a Presidential Campaign with M. Just, D. Alger, T. Cook, M. Kern and D. West (University of Chicago Press, 1996). Following the disputed 2000 election, Professor Crigler co-edited a volume on electoral reform with Marion Just and Edward J. McCaffery entitled: Rethinking the Vote: The Politics and Prospects of American Election Reform (Oxford University Press, 2004). Her most recent book is a co-edited volume, The Affect Effect: Dynamics of Emotion in Political Thinking and Behavior (University of Chicago Press, 2007) which examines the role of emotions in political decision-making.

American Politics, Political Communication, Public Opinion, Research Methods, Presidential Elections, Emotions and politics, Civic Engagement