Inhaltszusammenfassung

Although uncertainty is inherent in scientific research, it is an often neglected topic in public communication. In this article, we analyze how scien- tists and journalists think they should communicate about the uncertainty of scientific evidence in public, and whether their real-world communication meets laypersons’ demands and expectations. For scientists and journalists, our analyses are based theoretically on an expectancy-value model and empiri- cally on two representative survey...Although uncertainty is inherent in scientific research, it is an often neglected topic in public communication. In this article, we analyze how scien- tists and journalists think they should communicate about the uncertainty of scientific evidence in public, and whether their real-world communication meets laypersons’ demands and expectations. For scientists and journalists, our analyses are based theoretically on an expectancy-value model and empiri- cally on two representative surveys. Laypersons’ expectations and evaluations are analyzed using qualitative in-depth interviews. Results show that scientists and journalists widely agree that scientific uncertainty should be pointed out in their communication. Nonetheless, while scientists show a clear inclination toward the media and hope that uncertainties will not be dramatized or mis- used, journalists on the other hand have a strong audience orientation and hope to stimulate critical reflection on scientific findings. For audiences, how- ever, media coverage about scientific uncertainty is of less interest. They clearly expect fact-oriented information on the use of technology in everyday life.» weiterlesen» einklappen

Autoren

Klassifikation

DDC Sachgruppe:
Nachrichtenmedien, Journalismus, Verlagswesen