Vaupotic N – PCST Network

Author: Nina Vaupotic – University of Münster, Germany

Co-authors:

Regina Jucks – University of Münster, Germany
Dorothe Kienhues – University of Münster, Germany

Online media has become the main source of information for laypeople wishing to inform themselves about science (Su et al., 2015). However, knowledge nowadays is highly specialised and often too difficult to fully understand without lengthy (academic) education (Bromme & Goldman, 2014). Online science information is therefore usually written in a simplified and easily comprehensible manner, which could give laypeople an unrealistic confidence in dealing with the respective scientific topic (Scharrer et al., 2012).

The present experimental study wished to investigate how individuals assess their own and scientists’ knowledge about a scientific topic before and after engaging with an online science article in one of the two ways: reading or reading and explaining. Altogether, 168 adults were asked to read an online science news article about algorithmic predictions of severe weather events. Afterwards, half of the participants were additionally asked to give an explanation to a friend who knows nothing about the topic.

Before and after engaging with the science article, participants assessed scientists’ knowledge to be significantly higher than theirs (F(1,167)= 479.1, p < .001). After engaging with the science topic in either of the two ways, participants assessed their own knowledge as well as the scientists’ knowledge as significantly higher than beforehand ((F(1,167)= 121.9, p < .001)). The type of engagement (reading vs. reading and explaining) did not differentially influence participants’ own knowledge assessments, however, the gap between the assessment of own knowledge and scientists’ knowledge was significantly larger when participants additionally explained what they had read ((F(1,167)= 8.359, p = .004)). The explanations given by the participants often contained factual information and were written in a summarizing manner. Our results give some insights into laypeople’ s perception of their own knowledge position in a world in which knowledge is difficult to understand but easy to access. The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Individual paper
Theme: Transformation

Author: Nina Vaupotic – University of Münster, Germany

Co-authors:

Lukas Gierth – University of Münster, Germany
Friederike Hendriks – University of Münster, Germany
Dorothe Kienhues – University of Münster, Germany

Science communication, which has left the boundaries of formalised classroom settings is increasingly taking place at informal events. This raises the question of how scientists prepare for such dialogue, and how they adapt their communication in line with their anticipation of the audience. We investigated scientists’ approach to overcoming the barriers of communicating their highly specialised work to a public that likely possesses only limited relevant knowledge (Bromme & Goldman, 2014). While some previous studies focus on surveying attitudes and communication objectives of scientists (Dudo & Besley, 2016), we were interested in scientists’ adaptations to the expected lay audience, namely adaptations regarding theory, methods and results as well as scientific uncertainties and practical implications. Furthermore, we were interested in scientists’ reasons behind these adaptations.

The present interview study was conducted in the context of a science communication event (SCE), during which nine scientists from different disciplinary backgrounds presented their work in separate 45 minute talks. The interviews were conducted before the SCE took place to capture scientists’ prior perceptions and planning of the anticipated communication. A qualitative content analysis (Mayring, 2010) was used to develop a coding scheme of scientists’ communication adaptations for the lay audience. Almost all scientists mentioned adaptations such as reducing information regarding methods, focusing on the main results or using simplified language. These were motivated by time constraints or an anticipated lack of knowledge and interest of the audience. While some scientists mentioned wanting to foster an active role of the public in judging their research, a few others completely refrained from explaining the methods and scientific uncertainties underlying their research. We discuss these results from the perspective of scientists’ disciplinary backgrounds and their understanding of science, as well as provide implications for scientists who adapt their public communication when speaking to a lay audience.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Insight talk
Theme: Transformation

Knowing what you don’t know: Does explaining a science article affect Individuals’ assessment of their own and scientists’ knowledge?

Grab a drink and talk science: How scientists adapt their talks for an informal science communication event

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