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2. Distinguishing scientific knowledge: the impact of different measures of knowledge on genetically modified food attitudes
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Rose, Kathleen M. (author), Howell, Emily L. (author), Su, Leona Yi-Fan (author), Xenos, Michael A. (author), Brossard, Dominique (author), and Scheufele, Dietram A. (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019
- Published:
- SAGE Journals
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 32 Document Number: D10600
- Journal Title:
- Public Understanding of Science
- Journal Title Details:
- 28(4), 449–467
- Notes:
- 19 pages., via online journal., The impact of knowledge on public attitudes toward scientific issues remains unclear, due in part to ill-defined differences in how research designs conceptualize knowledge. Using genetically modified foods as a framework, we explore the impacts of perceived familiarity and factual knowledge, and the moderating roles of media attention and a food-specific attitudinal variable (food consciousness), in shaping these relationships. Based on the differential effects on “negative attitudes” toward genetically modified foods, we provide further evidence that the measures of knowledge are separate concepts and argue against a one-dimensional view of scientific knowledge. We discuss implications for understanding the relationship between knowledge and science attitudes.
3. Should scientists talk about GMOs nicely? exploring the effects of communication styles, source expertise, and preexisting attitude
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Yuan, Shupei (author), Ma, Wenjuan (author), and Besley, John C. (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019
- Published:
- Science Direct
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 78 Document Number: D10825
- Journal Title:
- Science Communication
- Journal Title Details:
- 41(3): 267–290
- Notes:
- 24 pages., via online journal., The present study investigated the effects of communication styles, source expertise, and audiences’ preexisting attitudes in the contexts of the debate regarding genetically modified organisms. A between-subject experiment (N = 416) was conducted manipulating communication styles (aggressive vs. polite) and the expertise of the communicator (scientist vs. nonscientist) in blog articles. The results showed significant effects of communicator expertise and individuals’ preexisting attitudes on writer likability and message quality, depending on the communication style used. Expectancy violation was found as a significant mediator that explains the differences. These findings provided a plausible explanation for the way in which communication styles work in science communication contexts and offered practical implications for science communicators to communicate more strategically.
4. The credibility of scientific communication sources regarding climate change: a population-based survey experiment
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Sanz-Menéndez, Luis (author) and Cruz-Castro, Laura (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019
- Published:
- SAGE Journals
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 18 Document Number: D10532
- Journal Title:
- Public Understanding of Science
- Notes:
- 20 pages., via online journal., This article analyses whether different institutional sources of scientific information have an impact on its credibility. Through a population-based survey experiment of a national representative sample of the Spanish public, we measure the credibility that citizens attribute to scientific information on the evolution of CO2 emissions disclosed by different institutional sources (business associations, government, non-government environmental organisations, international bodies and national research institutions). The findings show that an institutional credibility gap exists in science communication. We also investigate the factors accounting for the credibility of the different institutional sources by examining variables related to knowledge, interest, trust, reputation, deference, attitudes, values and personal characteristics. Exploratory regression analyses reveal that identical variables can produce different effects on the credibility of scientific information, depending on the institutional source to which it is attributed.
5. Uncritical and unbalanced coverage of synthetic biology in the Nordic press
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Ancillotti, Mirko (author), Holmberg, Niklas (author), Lindfelt, Mikael (author), and Eriksson, Stefan (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2017
- Published:
- SAGE Journals
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 32 Document Number: D10594
- Journal Title:
- Public Understanding of Science
- Journal Title Details:
- 26(2), 235–250.
- Notes:
- 16 pages., via online journal., Synthetic biology will probably have a high impact on a variety of fields, such as healthcare, environment, biofuels, agriculture, and so on. A driving theme in European research policy is the importance of maintaining public legitimacy and support. Media can influence public attitudes and are therefore an important object of study. Through qualitative content analysis, this study investigates the press coverage of synthetic biology in the major Nordic countries between 2009 and 2014. The press coverage was found to be event-driven and there were striking similarities between countries when it comes to framing, language use, and treated themes. Reporters showed a marked dependence on their sources, mainly scientists and stakeholders, who thus drives the media agenda. The media portrayal was very positive, with an optimistic look at future benefits and very little discussion of possible risks.