TY - JOUR
T1 - Inequalities in Scientific Understanding
T2 - Differentiating Between Factual and Perceived Knowledge Gaps
AU - Su, Leona Yi Fan
AU - Cacciatore, Michael A.
AU - Scheufele, Dietram A.
AU - Brossard, Dominique
AU - Xenos, Michael A.
N1 - Funding Information:
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This material is based on work supported by grants from the University of Wisconsin–Madison Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center in Templated Synthesis and Assembly at the Nanoscale (Grant No. SES-DMR-0832760).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 SAGE Publications.
PY - 2014/6/27
Y1 - 2014/6/27
N2 - This study assesses two key types of knowledge assessments, factual and perceived knowledge, in the study of knowledge gaps. In addition, we distinguish between communication channels in exploring the phenomenon, examining nanotechnology knowledge gaps based on levels of attention to traditional media, science blog use, and the frequency of interpersonal discussion. Using regression analysis, we find that how researchers measure knowledge can significantly affect the discovery of gaps. We also find differential effects based on communication channels, including evidence that the direction of perceived gaps in knowledge can be reversed as media consumption increases. Implications of these findings are discussed.
AB - This study assesses two key types of knowledge assessments, factual and perceived knowledge, in the study of knowledge gaps. In addition, we distinguish between communication channels in exploring the phenomenon, examining nanotechnology knowledge gaps based on levels of attention to traditional media, science blog use, and the frequency of interpersonal discussion. Using regression analysis, we find that how researchers measure knowledge can significantly affect the discovery of gaps. We also find differential effects based on communication channels, including evidence that the direction of perceived gaps in knowledge can be reversed as media consumption increases. Implications of these findings are discussed.
KW - factual knowledge
KW - knowledge gap
KW - perceived knowledge
KW - science blog
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U2 - 10.1177/1075547014529093
DO - 10.1177/1075547014529093
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84908114903
SN - 1075-5470
VL - 36
SP - 352
EP - 378
JO - Science Communication
JF - Science Communication
IS - 3
ER -