Why research on science communication needs more meta-analyses.

Abstract

Research on science communication has expanded and diversified. Correspondingly, an increasing number of literature reviews, handbooks, and bibliometric studies have taken stock of the field's accumulated knowledge. However, it is still difficult to identify robust, consolidated answers to key questions on science communication-answers that may help scholars, practitioners, and decision-makers. Meta-analyses-the statistical aggregation of empirical results across multiple studies to determine average effect sizes-can provide some of those answers, complementing existing knowledge syntheses and addressing their shortcomings. Yet, meta-analyses in research on science communication are rare, whereas other disciplines are much closer to establishing a culture of meta-analyses and demonstrate the usefulness of meta-analyses for specific aspects of science communication research within and beyond our discipline. We therefore propose a meta-analytical research agenda of science communication scholarship and argue that it will increase the impact of our field in the social sciences and society.