{"title":"Exploring COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation Exposure, Beliefs, Fear, and Information Avoidance via the Stimulus–Organism–Response Framework","authors":"Xiaowen Xu, Carolyn A. Lin, Hongliang Chen","doi":"10.1177/10755470231207611","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470231207611","url":null,"abstract":"Empirical evidence generated from theory-driven research addressing the relationship between misinformation and vaccine information avoidance during a pandemic remains lacking. Using the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework, this study examined the influence of vaccine misinformation exposure and information overload on cognitive and affective responses as well as vaccine information avoidance behaviors. Findings showed that misinformation exposure predicted cognitive health beliefs (perceived vaccination barriers and benefits) and negative emotions (fear) toward the vaccines; health beliefs in turn predicted information avoidance. Information overload moderated (a) the relationship between misinformation exposure and health beliefs and (b) the relation between misinformation exposure and fear.","PeriodicalId":47828,"journal":{"name":"Science Communication","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135820440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"For My Own Sake: The Role of Personal Relevance in Information Seeking","authors":"Zhuling Liu, Janet Zheng Yang","doi":"10.1177/10755470231204315","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470231204315","url":null,"abstract":"To test whether the risk information seeking and processing model performs consistently when a risk is viewed at different levels of personal relevance, this study focuses on the context of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. Results from an experimental survey ( N = 1,323) indicate that informational subjective norms play a bigger role when PFAS contamination is portrayed as having lower relevance to participants. Moreover, trust in government and trust in science are associated with information seeking only in the low relevance condition. Finally, the different results of worry and anxiety suggest a need to better understand discrete emotions’ impact on information seeking.","PeriodicalId":47828,"journal":{"name":"Science Communication","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135868748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Stories of Astrobiology, SETI, and UAPs: Science and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life in German News Media From 2009 to 2022","authors":"Andreas Schwarz, Eva Seidl","doi":"10.1177/10755470231206797","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470231206797","url":null,"abstract":"The search for extraterrestrial intelligent (SETI) and non-intelligent extraterrestrial life has recently received considerable attention in academia and international news media. Since media frames of scientific space exploration potentially influence public support and perceptions of science, the German news media’s coverage of extraterrestrial life was analyzed. The three dominant frames from 2009 to 2022 were beneficial space exploration, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP)/extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI), and SETI risk. Two frames relied primarily on scientific sources, mainly universities/research centers, NASA, the SETI Institute, and Stephen Hawking. The European Space Agency (ESA), the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and astrobiology as a discipline were rarely cited. Implications for science and risk communication are discussed.","PeriodicalId":47828,"journal":{"name":"Science Communication","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135813296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Examining Oral Communication Skills in Communication Training Programs for STEM Professionals: A Systematic Quantitative Literature Review","authors":"Amanda Coletti, Rory McGloin, Kimberly Embacher-Martin, Emily Hamlin, Meredith Turner","doi":"10.1177/10755470231202773","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470231202773","url":null,"abstract":"This study conducted a systematic quantitative literature review to examine the characteristics of communication training programs for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professionals and their overall impacts related to improving participants’ oral communication skills. Sixteen studies were identified and included in the analysis. Results demonstrate an overall positive effect of communication training programs on the oral communication skills of STEM professionals and highlight the need for integrating theoretical frameworks, using multiple methodological approaches, and incorporating validated measures into the evaluation of training programs. These findings provide meaningful insights for future research and practice in the training and development subfield of STEM communication.","PeriodicalId":47828,"journal":{"name":"Science Communication","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135858171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Leilane Rodrigues, Bruno Takahashi, Leigh Anne Tiffany, Sunshine Menezes, Evelyn Valdéz-Ward
{"title":"Minoritized Scientists in the United States: An Identity Perspective to Science Communication","authors":"Leilane Rodrigues, Bruno Takahashi, Leigh Anne Tiffany, Sunshine Menezes, Evelyn Valdéz-Ward","doi":"10.1177/10755470231199955","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470231199955","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates how tenure-track faculty from historically marginalized groups in the environmental sciences approach science communication based on their self-identities. A thematic analysis of 28 in-depth interviews with U.S.-based participants using the Communication Theory of Identity and Border-Crossing Theory was conducted to explore the interrelation of layers of identity, the identity gaps participants experience, and their communication practices. The results show that communication merges fragments of identity not to form a fixed identity, but to create an evolving consciousness about who you are and how you communicate. Implications for science communication training are discussed.","PeriodicalId":47828,"journal":{"name":"Science Communication","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135567249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rachelle K. Gould, Mireille N. Gonzalez, Jess Graff
{"title":"Using Science Fiction and Design Thinking in Workshops to Share Research Results With Low-Income, Marginalized Communities","authors":"Rachelle K. Gould, Mireille N. Gonzalez, Jess Graff","doi":"10.1177/10755470231199167","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470231199167","url":null,"abstract":"We worked with low-income participants in interactive, storytelling-based community workshops to discuss results from a scientific project related to harmful algal blooms. We used two story-based workshop formats—a science-fiction story and a personal-research-account story. In this Research Note, we reflect on two main topics: a comparison between the two story-based approaches and work with marginalized participants. With our reflections, our aim is to help inform future efforts that wish to incorporate science fiction approaches and/or work with marginalized populations in science communication.","PeriodicalId":47828,"journal":{"name":"Science Communication","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135656221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P. Sol Hart, Lauren Feldman, Soobin Choi, Annie Li Zhang, Austin Hegland
{"title":"The Influence of Flooding Imagery and Party Cues on Perceived Threat, Collective Efficacy, and Intentions for Political Action to Address Climate Change","authors":"P. Sol Hart, Lauren Feldman, Soobin Choi, Annie Li Zhang, Austin Hegland","doi":"10.1177/10755470231199972","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470231199972","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates how episodic and thematic flooding imagery and political party cues in climate change news stories influence risk perceptions, collective efficacy perceptions, and intended political action. We found that imagery and party cues had significant total effects on perceived flooding threat but not on perceived climate change threat. Specifically, episodic imagery (but not thematic imagery) increased perceived flooding threat, and party cues lowered perceived threat. Perceived threat was positively associated with collective efficacy, which, in turn, was positively associated with intended political action. Both imagery and party cues had significant indirect effects on perceived efficacy and intended action.","PeriodicalId":47828,"journal":{"name":"Science Communication","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135605466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Surprise of Serious COVID-19 Vaccination Messages on TikTok: The Effect of Expectancy Violation on Message Effectiveness","authors":"Jeeyun Oh, Shuer Zhuo, Eunjoo Jin","doi":"10.1177/10755470231198213","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470231198213","url":null,"abstract":"TikTok is a social media channel for light entertainment and humor. Then what happens when TikTok tries to persuade users with serious health messages? A between-subject study ( N = 189) induced expectancy violation by using six COVID-19 vaccination videos with a varied level of seriousness. Among those who held stronger perceptions of TikTok as an entertainment channel, the seriousness of videos was associated with increased expectancy violation and message effectiveness. Those who held more negative vaccine attitudes experienced greater expectancy violation as video seriousness increased, and expectancy violation was a positive predictor for message effectiveness and vaccine-related intentions among this group.","PeriodicalId":47828,"journal":{"name":"Science Communication","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135539166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nan Li, Dominique Brossard, Shiyu Yang, Leonardo Barolo Gargiulo
{"title":"Exploring the Potential of Comics for Science Communication: A Study on Conveying COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Information to Black Americans","authors":"Nan Li, Dominique Brossard, Shiyu Yang, Leonardo Barolo Gargiulo","doi":"10.1177/10755470231195643","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470231195643","url":null,"abstract":"This study examined the effectiveness of using comics to communicate scientific information on COVID-19 vaccine safety to Black Americans. Although the effects of comics on interest, recall, and information sharing intention were not significant compared to expository texts and infographics, comics featuring abstract, racially ambiguous characters facilitated greater learning among participants with lower knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines, as opposed to comics with realistic representations of Black individuals. Furthermore, the effects of comics varied depending on individuals’ interest in comic reading. These findings highlight the potential of comics in science communication, but their design and target audience should be carefully considered.","PeriodicalId":47828,"journal":{"name":"Science Communication","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136375089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jay D. Hmielowski, Alexandrea Matthews, Haoran Chu
{"title":"Going the Distance for COVID-19: Relationships Among News Use, Psychological Distance, Risk Perceptions, and Behavioral Intentions","authors":"Jay D. Hmielowski, Alexandrea Matthews, Haoran Chu","doi":"10.1177/10755470231188694","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470231188694","url":null,"abstract":"In this article, we examine the relationship between news media use and levels of psychological distance associated with COVID-19. Our findings suggest that conservative media use is associated with greater perceived distance to the disease, while less partisan news use is associated with a smaller perceived distance. Moreover, perceived distance is associated with perceived severity of COVID-19, the perceived susceptibility associated with the disease, and intentions to get vaccinated/boosted against COVID-19. As a whole, we examined a mediation process through which media use predicts distance, distance then predicts severity and susceptibility, and distance, severity, and susceptibility predict behavioral intentions.","PeriodicalId":47828,"journal":{"name":"Science Communication","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44809448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}