February 25th, 2016 | RESEARCH
Amid calls from scientific leaders for their colleagues to become more effective public communicators, this study examines the objectives that scientists’ report drive their public engagement behaviors. We explore how scientists evaluate five specific communication objectives, which include informing the public about science, exciting the public about science, strengthening the public’s trust in science, tailoring messages about science, and defending science from misinformation. We use insights from extant research, the theory of planned behavior, and procedural justice theory to identify likely predictors of scientists' views about these communication objectives. Results show that scientists most prioritize communication designed to defend science from misinformation and educate the public about science, and least prioritize communication that seeks to build trust and establish resonance with the public. Regression analyses reveal factors associated with scientists who prioritize each of the five specific communication objectives. Our findings highlight the need for communication trainers to help scientists select specific communication objectives for particular contexts and audiences.
Document
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Team Members
Anthony Dudo, Author, University of Texas at AustinJohn Besley, Author, Michigan State University
Citation
Identifier Type: DOI
Identifier: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148867
Identifier Type: ISSN
Identifier: 1932-6203
Publication: PLoS One
Volume: 11
Number: 2
Page(s): e0148867
Funders
Funding Source: NSF
Funding Program: AISL
Award Number: 1421214
Funding Program: AISL
Award Number: 1421723
Related URLs
Full Text
Collaborative Research: Scientists' Views of the Public, Public Engagement Practice, and Public Engagement Goals
Tags
Audience: Adults | Evaluators | General Public | Scientists
Discipline: General STEM
Resource Type: Peer-reviewed article | Research Products
Environment Type: Broadcast Media | Media and Technology | Websites | Mobile Apps | Online Media