Framing has become one of the most popular areas research for scholars in communication and a wide variety other disciplines, such as psychology, behavioral economics, political science, sociology. Particularly discipline, however, ambiguities surrounding how we conceptualize therefore operationalize framing have begun to overlap with media effects models point that is dysfunctional. This article provides an in-depth examination positions theory context recent evolutions research. We begin...

Science communication has been historically predicated on the knowledge deficit model. Yet, empirical research shown that public of science is more complex than what model suggests. In this essay, we pose four lines reasoning and present data for why believe still persists in science. First, posit scientists' training results belief audiences can do process information a rational manner. Second, persistence may be product current institutional structures. Many graduate education programs...

This study explores differences in volume of coverage and thematic content between US print news online media for an emerging technology – nanotechnology. We found that while American Google News this has peaked started to decline, Blog Search nanotechnology is still growing. Additionally, our data show discrepancies coverage. Specifically, users are more likely encounter environmentally themed relating than newspapers. Differences the amount as well suggest public discourse on related...

Recent technological developments have created novel opportunities for analyzing and identifying patterns in large volumes of digital content. However, many content analysis tools require researchers to choose between the validity human-based coding ability analyze through computer-based techniques. This study argues use supervised that capitalize on strengths human- assessing opinion expression. We begin by outlining key methodological issues surrounding as performed human coders existing...

With social networking site (SNS) use now ubiquitous in American culture, researchers have started paying attention to its effects a variety of domains. This study explores the relationships between measures Facebook and political knowledge levels using pair representative samples U.S. adults. We find that although mere was unrelated scores, how users report engaging with SNS strongly associated levels. Importantly, increased for news consumption sharing negatively related Possible...

A summary of the public opinion research on misinformation in realm science/health reveals inconsistencies how term has been defined and operationalized. diverse set methodologies have employed to study phenomenon, with virtually all such work identifying as a cause for concern. While studies completely eliminating impacts are rare, choices around packaging delivery correcting information shown promise lessening effects. Despite growing number topic, there remain many gaps literature...

Public opinion research on nanotechnology has primarily focused judgments of abstract risks and benefits, rather than attitudes toward specific applications. This approach will be less useful as morphs from a scientific breakthrough into an enabling technology whose impacts people’s lives come in the form concrete applications areas. study examines mental connections or associations US citizens have with (e.g. extent to which people associate medical field, military, consumer products,...

Despite large-scale investments and government mandates to expand biofuels development infrastructure in the United States, little is known about how public conceives of this alternative fuel technology. This study examines opinion by focusing on citizen knowledge motivated processing media information. Specifically, we explore direct effects moderating effect partisanship relationship between use benefit vs. risk perceptions following four domains: environmental impacts, economic...

Given the ethical questions that surround emerging science, this study is interested in studying public trust scientific and religious authorities for information about risks benefits of science. Using data from a nationally representative survey American adults, we employ regression analysis to better understand relationships between several variables—including values, knowledge, media attention—and organizations institutions. We found Evangelical Christians are generally more trusting...

This study presents a systematic comparison of two alternative measures citizens’ perceptions risks and benefits emerging technologies. By focusing on specific issues (nanotechnology biofuels), we derive several insights for the measurement public views science. Most importantly, our analyses reveal that relying global, single-item may lead to invalid inferences regarding external influences perceptions, particularly those related cognitive schema media use. Beyond these methodological...

This study assesses two key types of knowledge assessments, factual and perceived knowledge, in the gaps. In addition, we distinguish between communication channels exploring phenomenon, examining nanotechnology gaps based on levels attention to traditional media, science blog use, frequency interpersonal discussion. Using regression analysis, find that how researchers measure can significantly affect discovery We also differential effects channels, including evidence direction be reversed...

There is a normative assumption that knowledgeable populace can make informed civic decisions are central to the well-being of society. Yet, access knowledge not equitable. Using context science information, present work step toward understanding inequities in and addressing this challenge among underserved groups. A paucity data presents critical studying communities' knowledge. Here, we rely on probability sample American adults includes oversampling two hardly reached populations, Black...

We conducted an experiment examining public response to scientists' use of different types humor (satire, anthropomorphism, and a combination the two) communicate about AI on Twitter/X. found that led increased perceptions humor, measured as mirth. Specifically, we combining anthropomorphism satire elicited highest levels Further, reported mirth was positively associated with perceived likability scientist who posted content. Our findings indicate mediated effects publics' social media...

Members of the World Economic Forum recently identified economic, health and knowledge disparities between "haves" "have-nots" in world as one central risks global risk landscape. However, research on role communication reducing for emerging technologies is rare. More importantly, little has tracked gaps about representative populations over time. In this study we examine U.S. public levels across different education media use using data from two nationally telephone surveys. Our results...

Although humor is a recommended strategy for scientists to connect with publics, there lack of empirical evidence concerning its effectiveness. We conduct an experiment test how funny science on Twitter affects engagement intentions. find that different types caused viewers experience levels mirth, which mediated the relationship between our experimental manipulation and also need humor, individual trait, moderate mirth These findings extend understanding in communication offer practical...

Science communicators have been encouraged to use humor in their online engagement efforts. Yet, humor's effectiveness for engaging people with science remains an open question. We report the results of experiment designed elicit varied levels mirth respondents, which was positively associated perceived likability communicator and motivation follow more on social media. Furthermore, serially mediated effect experimental manipulation factual knowledge served as a moderator. This indicates...

Background: The percentage of adults in the U.S. getting seasonal influenza vaccination has not changed significantly since 2013 and remains far below federal government’s 70% target. Objective: This study assessed identified characteristics, experiences, beliefs associated with using a nationally representative survey 1005 19 years old older. Methods: sample was drawn from National Opinion Research Center’s AmeriSpeak Panel, probability-based panel designed to be household population....

While there is mounting evidence that humor can be an effective means of engaging publics, much remains to learned about the contextual factors shape how audiences receive and process humorous scientific content. Analyzing data from a controlled experiment ( N = 217), this study explores differential impact exposure stand-up comedy featuring scientist generates considerable laughter audience versus lacking reaction. Among key findings, served heighten affective response viewers, was...

Humor has been recommended for scientists looking to conduct communication activities despite relatively little empirical evidence demonstrating its effectiveness. Here, we examine the social environment of a joke through two-condition experimental design that manipulates presence or absence audience laughter. Specifically, how humor experienced from viewing video clip science comedian embedded in an online survey can have downstream effects on whether people view comedy as valid source...

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a significant impact on several aspects of public relations practice. By adopting the theoretical framework adaptive leadership, this research is designed to explore how an organization’s top leadership can support related action in strategic communication. Particularly, we hope whether application could facilitate higher level communication transparency as well deliver sense caring and empathy Design/methodology/approach An international online...