{"title":"The measurement of uncertainty in science communication: A scoping review.","authors":"Yi Liao","doi":"10.1177/09636625251412716","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This scoping review examines how uncertainty has been measured in science communication research, analyzing 58 studies published between 1976 and 2024. The review identified 68 uncertainty measures, categorized into three main types: (1) trait uncertainty, (2) state uncertainty, and (3) uncertainty discrepancy. While most measures demonstrated good internal reliability, evidence for the validity of scales was limited, particularly for newly developed scales. The analysis reveals significant fragmentation in measurement approaches and a concerning reliance on single-item and unidimensional measures given the complexity of the construct. Science communication research would benefit from more rigorous scale development, standardized measurement approaches, and cross-cultural validation of uncertainty scales.</p>","PeriodicalId":48094,"journal":{"name":"Public Understanding of Science","volume":" ","pages":"402-420"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3000,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Public Understanding of Science","FirstCategoryId":"98","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09636625251412716","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/1/26 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"COMMUNICATION","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This scoping review examines how uncertainty has been measured in science communication research, analyzing 58 studies published between 1976 and 2024. The review identified 68 uncertainty measures, categorized into three main types: (1) trait uncertainty, (2) state uncertainty, and (3) uncertainty discrepancy. While most measures demonstrated good internal reliability, evidence for the validity of scales was limited, particularly for newly developed scales. The analysis reveals significant fragmentation in measurement approaches and a concerning reliance on single-item and unidimensional measures given the complexity of the construct. Science communication research would benefit from more rigorous scale development, standardized measurement approaches, and cross-cultural validation of uncertainty scales.
期刊介绍：
Public Understanding of Science is a fully peer reviewed international journal covering all aspects of the inter-relationships between science (including technology and medicine) and the public. Public Understanding of Science is the only journal to cover all aspects of the inter-relationships between science (including technology and medicine) and the public. Topics Covered Include... ·surveys of public understanding and attitudes towards science and technology ·perceptions of science ·popular representations of science ·scientific and para-scientific belief systems ·science in schools
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号
