People's attitudes toward climate change differ, and these differences may correspond to distinct patterns of media use information seeking. However, studies extending analyses attitude types their specific diets countries beyond the United States are lacking. We a secondary analysis survey data from Germany identify among German public specify those segments population based on Similar Global Warming's Six Americas study, we find (Global Five Germanys) that differ in change-related...

Few studies have assessed whether populations can be divided into segments with different perceptions of science. We provide such an analysis and assess these exhibit specific patterns media information use. Based on representative survey data from Switzerland, we use latent class to reconstruct four segments: the “Sciencephiles,” strong interest for science, extensive knowledge, a pronounced belief in its potential, who variety sources intensively; “Critically Interested,” also support...

Prevalent in mass media worldwide, climate change imagery appears to be similar across countries. Replicating a study from the United States, Kingdom, and Australia, we analyze whether these images are perceived ways cross-nationally by studying Germany, Switzerland, Austria. A total of 75 respondents sorted with respect their perceptions salience self-efficacy (Q method). They associated impacts most strongly salience, while they related renewable energies mobility self-efficacy. These...

Scientists (and science as a whole) provide evidence and advice for societal problem solving collective decision-making. For this to be heard, the public must willing trust science, where “trust” means that one can confidently expect reliable knowledge evidence, even if one’s understanding of is bounded. According sociological psychological literature, citizens’ basic attitudes toward, experiences with, perceived trustworthiness trustee serve antecedents trust. From this, we developed model...

We present a new multilingual 14-item scale for measuring science literacy in survey and experimental research. The captures three essential dimensions of digital world: civic literacy, media cognitive literacy. developed, tested, validated the through two preregistered national quota surveys Switzerland United States four languages (English, German, French, Italian). Iterative factor analyses, Bayesian Item Response Theory validity tests confirm robustness reliability scale.

Nanotechnology cannot be directly experienced and observed—all that people know about it their interpretations opinions are mainly based on information from the mass media. Therefore, this first systematic study of German media coverage nanotechnology aims to analyse frames emerging technology. It comprises a standardized content analysis nine print 2000 2008, which shows framing is predominantly very positive, specifically emphasizing medical economic benefits nanotechnology. There hardly...

Science and its epistemology have been challenged by science-related populism —a variant of suggesting that a virtuous “ordinary people,” not allegedly corrupt academic elites, should determine the “production truth.” Yet almost no studies assessed prevalence populist attitudes among population explanatory factors thereof. Based on nationally representative survey in Switzerland, our study shows only minority Swiss exhibit attitudes. Comparisons with reference suggest these may be less...

We analyse the use of Twitter in political communication Switzerland because, comparison with other democracies, its strong federalism, fragmented party system, small country size and semi-professional politicians can be seen as least-likely critical case, thus creating unique conditions for social media. The study investigates individual characteristics Swiss Members Parliament that could influence media usage. Thus, contributes to debate about equalization normalization respect a relevant...

People differ. Not only do they vote for different parties, buy products, have hobbies and use media. They also differ in their interest in, attitudes on, behavior...

Campaigners are increasingly citing the Web as an important election tool for candidates and parties to communicate with voters; however, what extent is this rhetoric matched reality? Evidence suggests there something of a gap in importance attributed medium which it actually adopted. Most studies drivers campaigning date have focused on environmental factors personal resources that determine individuals' use medium. We argue here such models miss key layer explanation accounting web uptake...

Social media, and Twitter in particular, have become important sources for journalists times of crises. User-generated content (UGC) can provide with on-site information material they otherwise would not access to. But how source verify UGC has yet been systematically analyzed. This study analyzes sourcing verification practices on during the Brussels attacks March 2016. Based quantitative analysis, we identified (1) news organizations attacks, (2) classified different forms requests, (3)...

Many politicians as well journalists are using Twitter regularly and connected on the microblogging platform. We use agenda-building approach conceptual background because political tweets can serve information subsidies if they used by journalists, indicating an influence politicians. It has not yet been systematically investigated which functions of a tweet make it more likely for to be journalist extent journalist’s network plays role in this process. analyze explain their integrate...

Abstract In many countries, science is challenged by science-related populism, which deems the common sense of “ordinary people” superior to knowledge “academic elites”. Individual support for populism can be associated with people’s communication behavior: On one hand, people who hold populist attitudes may inform themselves differently about science; they even disconnected from societal discourse around science. other communicate more actively on social media and in interpersonal...

Social media expose users to an abundance of information about various issues. But they also make it difficult for assess the quality this information. If do not recognize this, may overestimate their knowledge those Knowledge overestimation lead increased social engagement and can be linked attitudes deeming expert inferior common sense, such as science-related populist attitudes. We investigate during COVID-19 pandemic in two preregistered, cross-sectional survey experiments Germany...

Crowdfunding has emerged as an additional source for financing research in recent years. The study at hand identifies and tests explanatory factors influencing the success of scientific crowdfunding projects by drawing on news value theory, "reputation signaling" approach, economic theories online payment. A standardized content analysis 371 English- German-language platforms reveals that each theory provides success. It shows presented science-only have a higher rate. At same time, are more...

This article examines, through a systematic study of the German, Swiss and Austrian media framing nanotechnology, whether concept journalistic negativity bias applies to coverage nanotechnology. According this objectivist approach risk communication, emerging technologies used be comparatively too negative. However, has been debated studies revealing positivity approaches focusing on contextual elements journalism. A standardized content analysis print from 2000 2009 analyzes We find...

Driven by the proliferation of digital media, citizen science - involvement non-scientists in scientific research represents one most important recent developments communication as it brings and public closer together. So far, however, projects have mostly attracted people that are highly educated, male already very positive attitudes towards science. Based on nationally representative survey data (N = 1051), our study explores potential Switzerland. Using regression analysis, we show...

Science is of crucial importance in contemporary societies. Concurrently, legacy news media outlets are losing their position as the main fora for discussing and providing information on science politics. In hybrid system, a broader range have emerged. Among them alternative media, which themselves corrective voices to “mainstream” media—including when it comes reporting science. this context, our focus individuals who come into contact with science-related via media. We draw “Science...

AI-generated avatars in science communication offer potential for conveying complex information. However, highly realistic may evoke discomfort and diminish trust, a key factor communication. Drawing on existing research, we conducted an experiment (n = 491) examining how avatar realism gender impact trustworthiness (expertise, integrity, benevolence). Our findings show that higher enhances trustworthiness, contradicting the Uncanny Valley effect. Gender effects were dimension-specific, with...

The increasing importance of social media in political communication since Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign has led to a highly productive, dynamic, and ever-growing field scholars researching the use by politicians. However, academic literature recent years also featured debates about heterogeneity research this area. It is commonly assumed critically discussed that these studies primarily revolve around U.S. context Twitter as primary source data, time frames focus on election...

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In this study, we analyze whether the mere volume of presence in mass media and activity on social convey advantages to candidates parliamentary elections. Based theoretical model bounded rationality, call these potential effects brute force effects. During last month election campaign Swiss federal 2015, tracked all 873 canton Zurich, most populous canton, a broad sample media. Additionally, those candidates’ Facebook Twitter. The results our multilevel Bayesian estimates show that has...