Science News Consumption Patterns and Their Implications for Public Understanding of Science

Leona Yi Fan Su; Heather Akin; Dominique Brossard; Dietram A. Scheufele; Michael A. Xenos

doi:10.1177/1077699015586415

Science News Consumption Patterns and Their Implications for Public Understanding of Science

Leona Yi Fan Su, Heather Akin, Dominique Brossard, Dietram A. Scheufele, Michael A. Xenos

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Due to changes in the media landscape, the vast majority of the public now depends on a mix of media formats for science news. This study analyzes audiences' repertoires of science media consumption, and the effect of these consumption patterns on public understanding of science. We also profile those who rely on a mix of online-only sources and traditional media for science news. Our findings indicate that primarily relying on online-only sources is positively associated with a higher understanding of science, even when pertaining to respondents' level of education and scientific training in the past.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	597-616
Number of pages	20
Journal	Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly
Volume	92
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1077699015586415
State	Published - Sep 1 2015
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

blogs
public understanding of science
science news consumption
traditional media

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Communication

Online availability

10.1177/1077699015586415

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title = "Science News Consumption Patterns and Their Implications for Public Understanding of Science",

abstract = "Due to changes in the media landscape, the vast majority of the public now depends on a mix of media formats for science news. This study analyzes audiences' repertoires of science media consumption, and the effect of these consumption patterns on public understanding of science. We also profile those who rely on a mix of online-only sources and traditional media for science news. Our findings indicate that primarily relying on online-only sources is positively associated with a higher understanding of science, even when pertaining to respondents' level of education and scientific training in the past.",

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author = "Su, {Leona Yi Fan} and Heather Akin and Dominique Brossard and Scheufele, {Dietram A.} and Xenos, {Michael A.}",

note = "Funding Information: This material is based upon work supported by the grant from the National Science Foundation to the UW-Madison Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center in Templated Synthesis and Assembly at the Nanoscale (Grant No. SES-DMR-0832760) and the Center for Nanotechnology in Society at Arizona State University (Grant No. SES-0937591). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2015 AEJMC.",

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doi = "10.1177/1077699015586415",

language = "English (US)",

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AU - Su, Leona Yi Fan

AU - Akin, Heather

AU - Brossard, Dominique

AU - Scheufele, Dietram A.

AU - Xenos, Michael A.

N1 - Funding Information: This material is based upon work supported by the grant from the National Science Foundation to the UW-Madison Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center in Templated Synthesis and Assembly at the Nanoscale (Grant No. SES-DMR-0832760) and the Center for Nanotechnology in Society at Arizona State University (Grant No. SES-0937591). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Publisher Copyright: © 2015 AEJMC.

PY - 2015/9/1

Y1 - 2015/9/1

N2 - Due to changes in the media landscape, the vast majority of the public now depends on a mix of media formats for science news. This study analyzes audiences' repertoires of science media consumption, and the effect of these consumption patterns on public understanding of science. We also profile those who rely on a mix of online-only sources and traditional media for science news. Our findings indicate that primarily relying on online-only sources is positively associated with a higher understanding of science, even when pertaining to respondents' level of education and scientific training in the past.

AB - Due to changes in the media landscape, the vast majority of the public now depends on a mix of media formats for science news. This study analyzes audiences' repertoires of science media consumption, and the effect of these consumption patterns on public understanding of science. We also profile those who rely on a mix of online-only sources and traditional media for science news. Our findings indicate that primarily relying on online-only sources is positively associated with a higher understanding of science, even when pertaining to respondents' level of education and scientific training in the past.

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KW - science news consumption

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Science News Consumption Patterns and Their Implications for Public Understanding of Science

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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