Showing papers in "Public Understanding of Science in 2004"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors challenge the de facto orthodoxy that has connected the deficit model and contextualist perspectives with quantitative and qualitative research methods respectively, pointing out the clear importance of knowledge as a determinant of attitudes toward science.
Abstract: The “deficit model” of public attitudes towards science has led to controversy over the role of scientific knowledge in explaining lay people’s attitudes towards science. In this paper we challenge the de facto orthodoxy that has connected the deficit model and contextualist perspectives with quantitative and qualitative research methods respectively. We simultaneously test hypotheses from both theoretical approaches using quantitative methodology. The results point to the clear importance of knowledge as a determinant of attitudes toward science. However, in contrast to the rather simplistic deficit model that has traditionally characterized discussions of this relationship, this analysis highlights the complex and interacting nature of the knowledge— attitude interface.
1,004 citations
TL;DR: This paper found that although the rate of civic scientific literacy in the US is only now approaching 20 percent, there is a strong and continuing public belief in the value of scientific research for economic prosperity and for the quality of life.
Abstract: Over the last four decades, a substantial body of national survey material has been collected in the US concerning the public understanding of science and technology. Using this body of research, this analysis outlines the major trends from 1957 to 1999 and discusses their implications for public understanding of, and attitudes toward, scientific research. The analysis found that although the rate of civic scientific literacy in the US is only now approaching 20 percent, there is a strong and continuing public belief in the value of scientific research for economic prosperity and for the quality of life. Even though there are some continuing reservations about the pace of change engendered by science and technology and the relationship between science and faith, the public consistently reconciles these differing perceptions in favor of science.
528 citations
TL;DR: A reception analysis showed that respondents were particularly influenced by coverage of Dolly the sheep, which considers how media coverage of cloning might influence the construction of scientific citizenship.
Abstract: This paper presents the results of empirical research that analyzed UK news media coverage of cloning. More specifically, it describes how quantitative and qualitative methods were used to examine the production, content and reception of newspaper and television news coverage of cloning. The paper documents the results of a systematic analysis of two years of media content (1996 and 1997), a period that includes the announcement that a Finn Dorset sheep (Dolly) had been cloned from a somatic cell. Interviews with media professionals and the Roslin Institute examined the processes of mediation involved in producing this coverage. A reception analysis, which investigated the significance of this coverage in informing respondents’ views about cloning, showed that these respondents were particularly influenced by coverage of Dolly the sheep. In conclusion, the paper considers how media coverage of cloning might influence the construction of scientific citizenship.
101 citations
TL;DR: A model of lay understandings of the role of genetics in the contemporary United States is offered based on focus group research, random digit dial surveys, and community based surveys, which indicates that lay people identify race primarily by physical features, but these identifications are categorized into a variety of groupings that may be regional, national, or linguistic.
Abstract: The increase in public representation of the science-based concept "genetics" in the mass media might be expected to have a major impact on public understanding of the concept of "race." A model of lay understandings of the role of genetics in the contemporary United States is offered based on focus group research, random digit dial surveys, and community based surveys. That model indicates that lay people identify are primarily by physical features, but these identifications are categorized into a variety of groupings that may be regional, national, or linguistic. Although they believe that physical appearance is caused largely by genetics, and therefore that race has a genetic basis, they do not uniformly conclude, however, that all perceived racial characteristics are genetically based. Instead, they vary in the extent to which they attribute differences to cultural, personal, and genetic factors.
87 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the social representations about the nature and the evolution of Space-Science & Astronomy, Genetics & Biotechnology, Natural Sciences and Engineering & Informatics, throu...
Abstract: This paper aims to reveal the social representations about the nature and the evolution of Space-Science & Astronomy, Genetics & Biotechnology, Natural Sciences and Engineering & Informatics, throu...
82 citations
TL;DR: The cognitive dimension of public perceptions of science is a central component of the interdisciplinary field devoted to their study as mentioned in this paper, and the subset of this dimension that has received the most attent
Abstract: The cognitive dimension of public perceptions of science is a central component of the interdisciplinary field devoted to their study The subset of this dimension that has received the most attent
73 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a specific report on genomics is traced from its original source in a scientific journal through to popular press publications, revealing that these five reports differ in what is said rather than how it is said.
Abstract: Scientists and academicians in the field of science writing agree that context and method are important components of research to be reported. This ideal is balanced by science journalists who try to relay findings with a minimum of complex and potentially confusing facts. Here, a specific report on genomics is traced from its original source in a scientific journal through to popular press publications. These data were examined in the context of previously published findings that have shown that the reader needs a clear understanding of the context of reported results to make an informed judgment about their meaning. This study reveals that these five reports, ranging from research article to popular press news article, differ in what is said rather than how it is said. This is surprising given the premise that in science reporting, the primary role of the journalist is to translate science into non-scientific language.
64 citations
TL;DR: This article found that the environmental issues and the environmental values supporting those issues predicted whether a news story would report risks, while sources, problem definitions, and traditional news values were less useful in differentiating risk from non-risk news stories and releases.
Abstract: Studies of news media reports of environmental risks generally have observed that environmental news tends to be dramatic and ambiguous with little information that would help the public understand the risks that exist in communities. This analysis was designed to identify differences between environmental news stories that report risks with those that do not. The sample of 841 news stories was drawn from 12,000 stories published between 1 September 1997 and 31 August 1998 in 93 Pennsylvania daily newspapers. Nearly 60% of the news stories and releases did not mention risk. The findings suggest that the environmental issues and the environmental values supporting those issues predicted whether a news story would report risks. Sources, problem definitions, and traditional news values were less useful in differentiating risk from non-risk news stories and releases. The stories provided limited information that would facilitate public understanding of environmental risks.
61 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the extent to which sociodemographic background and scientific knowledge explain gender differences in attitudes toward science, using data from a nationally stratified Swiss survey on attitudes towards science.
Abstract: This article addresses the debate initiated in this journal on analyses exploring the extent to which sociodemographic background and scientific knowledge explain gender differences in attitudes toward science. Using data from a nationally stratified Swiss survey on attitudes toward science, initial results suggest that, although men have more positive attitudes toward science and greater levels of scientific knowledge than women, gender differences are non-significant once the sociodemographic variables are included in the multiple regression models. More specifically, scientific knowledge and education have an independent effect on attitudes toward science. However, the interpretation of these results is slightly different if the hypothesis, that the effect of any single explanatory variable is the same among men and women in the regression model, is validated. Results show that the interaction between gender and scientific knowledge is significant, so that the effect of scientific knowledge on attitude...
42 citations
TL;DR: This paper studied the changing media representations and public perceptions of biotechnology through a case study of the generation of transgenic cattle in Finland, focusing on rhetoric of the future: the narrative shaping of future promises, the politics of naming, visual images, and the role of the news media in producing and circulating images of new genetics.
Abstract: This paper studies the changing media representations and public perceptions of biotechnology through a case study of the generation of transgenic cattle in Finland. The particular focus is on rhetoric of the future: the narrative shaping of future promises, the politics of naming, visual images, and the role of the news media in producing and circulating images of new genetics. It is suggested that scientists can play a dominant role in popularizing scientific and technological innovations by using positive metaphors and visual imagery of genetics.
40 citations
TL;DR: By providing detailed information about the experiences and personal lives of women scientists and engineers, the biographies on these Web sites may be useful in countering existing cultural stereotypes of women Scientists and engineers and initiating changes in perceptions needed to narrow the gender gap in science, engineering, and technology.
Abstract: In the absence of real-life role models, images of women scientists and engineers on the World Wide Web can be important sources of information about women in science, engineering, and technology. This study analyzed the content of 27 science and engineering Web sites for girls and examined recurring themes in 168 of the biographies of women scientists and engineers found on these sites. Most of the Web sites included information about scientific, engineering, and technological disciplines and presented occupational information-information shown to be important for increasing girls' interest in these areas. The biographies of women scientists and engineers found on these Web sites addressed issues concerning parental attitudes, acceptance by male colleagues, and family-friendly policies in workplaces- issues shown to be related to girls' future interest in careers in science, engineering, and technology. By providing detailed information about the experiences and personal lives of women scientists and engineers, the biographies on these Web sites may be useful in countering existing cultural stereotypes of women scientists and engineers and initiating changes in perceptions needed to narrow the gender gap in science, engineering, and technology.
TL;DR: This article explored how people can both demonstrate a collective process of cost-benefit thinking and tacitly problematize this by deploying three meta-arguments that they call "trust," "telos," and "trump."
Abstract: This paper is concerned with the ways in which lay people come to understand and assess xenotransplantation. Drawing on focus group data, we explore how people can both demonstrate a collective process of cost–benefit thinking and tacitly problematize this by deploying three meta-arguments that we call "trust," "telos," and "trump." Respectively, these meta-arguments emphasize: unexamined relations of trust; irrelevance because innovations such as xenotransplantation are inevitable; and redundancy in the face of desperation. We then consider how lay people draw upon certain analogies associated with meat in order to grasp the meaning of xenotransplantation. The data show how "meat" itself displays disparate and contested meanings. Depending on what aspects of meat are emphasized, xenotransplantation is represented in either a negative or a positive light. Some of the implications of the fluidity of the meaning of both meat and xenotransplantation for cost– benefit thinking in lay and expert discourse are discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors trace the trajectory of the "Pillars of Creation" image from its genesis through the traditional media channels between science and the public, and find that the power of black-boxed scientific rhetoric can be co-opted by those who would use it for their own purposes.
Abstract: The “Pillars of Creation” is arguably the most famous image produced by the Hubble space telescope, and it has led a quite unexpected life. On one hand, by tracing the trajectory of the image from its genesis through the traditional media channels between science and the public, this paper is a straightforward case study in the black-boxing of a scientific image. However, by continuing the story and following the “Pillars” into the hands of a group of enthusiasts whose interpretations of it differ from those of the scientific community, we find that the power of black-boxed scientific rhetoric can be co-opted by those who would use it for their own purposes.
TL;DR: It is argued that cultural themes are not only cognitive, but also affectively laden entities, which explains the evaluative force expressed by social beliefs as well as the construction of common-sense theories.
Abstract: This paper explores the public perceptions of genetically modified foods in Colombia in a phase considered germinal: the topic was too novel at the time of research. The analysis covers media, info...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors ask whether environmental reporters consider risk when writing environmental stories and how often do they use a risk-averse risk assessment when reporting environmental stories, based on a risk assessment.
Abstract: Who are the environment reporters who explain the science of the environment to the general public? Do they consider risk when writing environmental stories? How often do they say they use a risk a...
TL;DR: In this paper, a content analysis of state-of-the-art science Web sites and popular non-science teen Web sites was performed to attract teenagers to science web sites and focus groups were used to gain insights about their Internet use and about how they use the Web to find science information.
Abstract: Attracting teens to science Web sites can be difficult because teens spend less time online than other groups and because teens most frequently use the Internet for social and entertainment gratifications Two studies sought to increase understanding about how to attract teens to science Web sites The first study was a content analysis of state-of-the-art science Web sites and popular non-science teen Web sites The second study used teen focus groups to gain insights about their Internet use and about how they use the Web to find science information Implications from both studies for improving Web-mediated science communication to a teenage audience are discussed
TL;DR: This paper argued that explanation is central to much science communication and seeks ways of describing explanation through text as it is achieved in popular science writing, and suggested that explanations are central to science communication.
Abstract: This paper argues that explanation is central to much science communication and seeks ways of describing explanation through text as it is achieved in popular science writing. It is suggested that ...
TL;DR: The authors examines the imprint of politics and culture on US public discourse about the US Antarctic research program and argues that US government officials, scientists, and mass media responded to one another, evolving cultural values, and these dynamic politics and interests by changing the way they depicted scientific exploration in Antarctica.
Abstract: Touching on the modern politics of Antarctica and the shifting interests that the USA and people of other nations had in that continent, this paper examines the imprint of politics and culture on US public discourse about the US Antarctic research program. It argues that US government officials, scientists, and mass media responded to one another, evolving cultural values, and these dynamic politics and interests by changing the way they depicted scientific exploration in Antarctica. Initially treating this exploration as a manly attempt to know the world and conquer its last uninhabited continent, these pundits came to regard Antarctic science as a means of protecting an endangered continental wilderness, while using it to study humanity’s most pressing env ronmental crises. In doing so, however, they clung to an unchanging discourse celebrating US Antarctic research as proof of the benevolent world leadership by the USA, of its unstinting desire to advance peace, security, and prosperity for all humanity.
TL;DR: Activity on the GMF-Science discussion list reflected some but not all of the controversies that were appearing in more traditional publication formats, broached other topics not well represented in the published literature, and tended to leave undiscussed the more technical research developments.
Abstract: Computer-mediated discussion lists, or list-servers, are popular tools in settings ranging from professional to personal to educational. A discussion list on genetically modified food (GMF) was created in September 2000 as part of the Forum on Genetically Modified Food developed by Science Controversies: Online Partnerships in Education (SCOPE), an educational project that uses computer resources to aid research and learning around unresolved scientific questions. The discussion list “GMF-Science” was actively supported from January 2001 to May 2002. The GMF-Science list welcomed anyone interested in discussing the controversies surrounding GMF. Here, we analyze the dynamics of the discussions and how the GMF-Science list may contribute to learning. Activity on the GMF-Science discussion list reflected some but not all of the controversies that were appearing in more traditional publication formats, broached other topics not well represented in the published literature, and tended to leave undiscussed the...
TL;DR: In this article, a comparison of how the achievements of science have been celebrated through representation on stamps is made, and an analysis of the effect of the political system on the way that science is celebrated by comparing the stamps of West and East Germany is presented.
Abstract: Scientists in Britain believe that their work does not receive the recognition that it deserves from the national culture in comparison with continental Europe. Not an easy proposition to test, but possible through a comparison of how the achievements of science have been celebrated through representation on stamps. Postage stamps are official government products, and they are used to transmit and define the official view of the national culture. In this paper I give three examples of the sorts of comparisons that can be made. First, a geographical comparision (Britain, West Germany and France) during the period 1951–1990. Second, a consideration of how the different scientific disciplines have been treated in the three countries. Third, an analysis of the effect of the political system on the way that science is celebrated by comparing the stamps of West and East Germany.
TL;DR: In order for the Canadian model of public consultation to be well received in the US, there would have to be more stringent adherence to representative sampling and more rigorous public education strategies.
Abstract: The value of engaging the public in science policymaking is becoming increasingly controversial. In the US, however, the regulation of biotechnologies remains in the domain of the scientific elite. By contrast, Canada recently conducted a very public process aimed at including the public in the regulation of xenotransplantation. Members of the US xenotransplantation community were asked to comment on the public consultation process with specific attention given to the Canadian consultation on xenotransplantation. These scientists agreed that gathering public opinion is usually desirable but expressed some serious concerns about the methods used to gather these opinions. They challenged the notion of an informed public as defined by the organizers of the Canadian consultation. Therefore, in order for the Canadian model of public consultation to be well received in the US, there would have to be more stringent adherence to representative sampling and more rigorous public education strategies.
TL;DR: It is argued that health promotion and related fields (such as public health and health education) share in a “disrupted tradition” and can be seen as the term presently favored by some to represent an extensive “tradition of protecting and improving the health of the public.”
Abstract: Dispute over the nature and purpose of health promotion has characterized the development of this field of activity in recent times. This paper explores such disputes and offers an explanation for them. I argue that health promotion and related fields (such as public health and health education) share in a "disrupted tradition." I assert that "health promotion" can be seen as the term presently favored by some to represent an extensive "tradition of protecting and improving the health of the public." Its relative favor and currency can be ascribed to a degree of power shift between competing groups operating with separate conceptions of health, away from biomedicine and towards more socially rooted understanding. Relative degrees of power and influence possessed by these groups at different historical times have contributed to the "disruption" of the tradition. Understanding this disruption helps explain a number of historiographical and theoretical problems besetting the field.