The psychology of misinformation
Effective science communication requires an understanding of the cognitive biases that cause people to reject evidence-based science. The links below provide an introduction to these biases and strategies for overcoming them.
- Scientists, Stop Thinking Explaining Science Will Fix Things Before getting fired up to set the scientific record straight, scientists would do well to first consider the science of science communication.
- Why the backfire effect does not explain the durability of political misperceptions Previous research indicated that corrective information can sometimes provoke a so-called “backfire effect” in which respondents more strongly endorsed a misperception about a controversial political or scientific issue when their beliefs or predispositions were challenged. I show how subsequent research and media coverage seized on this finding, distorting its generality and exaggerating its role relative to other factors in explaining the durability of political misperceptions. To the contrary, an emerging research consensus finds that corrective information is typically at least somewhat effective at increasing belief accuracy when received by respondents. However, the research that I review suggests that the accuracy-increasing effects of corrective information like fact checks often do not last or accumulate; instead, they frequently seem to decay or be overwhelmed by cues from elites and the media promoting more congenial but less accurate claims. As a result, misperceptions typically persist in public opinion for years after they have been debunked. Given these realities, the primary challenge for scientific communication is not to prevent backfire effects but instead, to understand how to target corrective information better and to make it more effective. Ultimately, however, the best approach is to disrupt the formation of linkages between group identities and false claims and to reduce the flow of cues reinforcing those claims from elites and the media. Doing so will require a shift from a strategy focused on providing information to the public to one that considers the roles of intermediaries in forming and maintaining belief systems.
- Why We Fall for Fake News Explains how cognitive biases operate—what goes in inside people's heads that makes us more likely to fall for fake news, and for us to continue to believe false information even after it's been corrected.
- You're not going to believe what I'm going to tell you (The Oatmeal) Illustrated explanation of the Backfire Effect.
Overview
- 10 Tips for Scientists on Talking to the Media Representatives from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) visited The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) recently and made the case for the importance of communicating about research to the media and the lay public.
- AAAS Communication Toolkit This Communication Toolkit provides guidance for scientists to build skills to more effectively communicate and engage with public audiences, including ways to apply the fundamentals of communication to scientific topics. Following this overview, sections focus on various channels or modes of communication, including online and face-to-face communication. A section about engaging with journalists provides tips and strategies for communicating with that audience.
- ABT Build Session This is the last 14 minutes of the 2019 keynote address from Dr. Randy Olson to the combined conferences of eScience and Science Gateways. In it, he demonstrates how to build a narrative using the ABT framework.
- ABT Framework Basics The ABT Narrative Template is a new tool for organizing the narrative structure of any amount of content. It is at the core of storytelling, logic, reason, argument and the scientific method. It is the idea of shrinking a narrative thread down to a single sentence using three connector words: and, but, therefore.
- AGU share and advocate for science The American Geophysical Union's scicomm portal.
- Are Scientists Using Social Media Effectively? So how can social networks help researchers? What advantages do they have for scientists who are looking for information in their fields of study or even for academic research grants to fund their research?
- Broader Impact Resources (Outreach, Public Engagement, Science Communication and more) A constantly updated list of resources for those who want to share their science more widely through outreach, public engagement, science communication and more.
- Brown University Science Center’s Quick Guide to Science Communication Offers detailed guidance how to communicate successfully about science with a wide range of audiences, including lay people, the media, and policy makers.
- Communicating science with social media; An introduction I spoke to over 30 of the finest science communicators, content producers, digital managers and social media specialists about their work. This is what I learnt.
- Five Ways Scientists SHOULD Be Using Twitter Traditionally, spending time on social media was a great way to make your PI angry. Your job is to finish experiments, read papers, and present your work at conferences, not to upvote and share the latest blue-dress illusion. But there are some unexpected benefits to the Twitter network that could help your science and your career.
- How to craft your persona for effective virtual communication As more and more parts of our world move online — including leadership development opportunities — it becomes increasingly clear that even after the pandemic, clear and compelling virtual communication will be paramount for individual and organizational success.
- How to Read a Scientific Paper Primer on how to read a scientific paper for non-scientists.
- Marketing for scientists Companion blog to the book.
- Science Communication: A Practical Guide This MIT undergraduate class develops the abilities of students to communicate science effectively in a variety of real-world contexts. It covers strategies for dealing with complex areas like theoretical physics, genomics and neuroscience, and addresses challenges in communicating about topics such as climate change and evolution. Projects focus on speaking and writing, being an expert witness, preparing briefings for policy-makers, writing blogs, and giving live interviews for broadcast, as well as the creation of an interactive exhibit for display in the MIT Museum. All course materials are available to read online or download.
- Science communication: could you explain it to your granny? The art of science communication is to pitch something as complicated as quantum mechanics in a way that is not only engaging but also faithful to the evidence
- Science Communication Resources for Scientists Links to scicomm resources from the University of Chicago Marine Biological Laboratory.
- Scientific Communication: Getting Started LibGuide for a professional development class in science communication at Nova Southeastern University.
- A Scientist’s Guide to Social Media "While social media platforms may feel intimidating, confusing, or just not worth your time, my hope is to convince you that you can wade in slowly, learn quickly, and make it worth the effort."
- Social Media for Fisheries Science and Management Professionals: How to Use It and Why You Should Social media has revolutionized how people communicate with one another. This has important implications for science, environmental advocacy, and natural resource management, with numerous documented professional benefits for people in each of these fields. Some fisheries management professionals have been wary of social media use, in no small part due to unfamiliarity. The goal of this paper is to summarize the professional benefits of social media usage that are applicable for fisheries science and management professionals and to provide a detailed guide for those who wish to get started. Though many Web 2.0 tools exist, this paper will focus on the use of Facebook, Twitter, and blogs.
- UCL Policy Commission on Communicating Climate Science I This Commission - comprising a cross-disciplinary project group of researchers from psychology, neuroscience, science and technology studies, earth sciences and energy research - examined the challenges faced in communicating climate science effectively to policymakers and the public, and the role of climate scientists in communication.
- Using narratives and storytelling to communicate science with nonexpert audiences Although storytelling often has negative connotations within science, narrative formats of communication should not be disregarded when communicating science to nonexpert audiences. Narratives offer increased comprehension, interest, and engagement. Nonexperts get most of their science information from mass media content, which is itself already biased toward narrative formats. Narratives are also intrinsically persuasive, which offers science communicators tactics for persuading otherwise resistant audiences, although such use also raises ethical considerations. Future intersections of narrative research with ongoing discussions in science communication are introduced. PNAS (2014).
- We’re all science communicators. Here’s how to do it better Jen Heemstra writes in Chemical & Engineering News about how to help those around you separate facts from myths.
- What institutions can do to improve science communication Many scientific organizations struggle with teaching and incentivizing science-communication practices. Here’s what they can do differently, says communication researcher Jessica Eise.
- Working with Journalists your communication and engagement goals? Working with journalists gives scientists opportunities to provide accurate, informative updates about the latest research to the general public, decision-makers, funders, and other scientists.
Books
Am I Making Myself Clear? by
Urging scientists to speak up and be heard in current debates, Cornelia Dean offers advice on public speaking, media relations and popular science writing.
ISBN: 0674036352Publication Date: 2009-10-30
The Art of Explanation by
Your guide to becoming an explanation specialist. You've done the hard work. Your product or service works beautifully - but something is missing. People just don't see the big idea - and it's keeping you from being successful. Your idea has an explanation problem. The Art of Explanation is for business people, educators and influencers who want to improve their explanation skills and start solving explanation problems. Author Lee LeFever is the founder of Common Craft, a company known around the world for making complex ideas easy to understand through short animated videos. He is your guide to helping audiences fall in love with your ideas, products or services through better explanations in any medium. You will learn to: Plan: Learn explanation basics, what causes them to fail and how to diagnose explanation problems. Package: Using simple elements, create an explanation strategy that builds confidence and motivates your audience. Present: Produce remarkable explanations with visuals and media. The Art of Explanation is your invitation to become an explanation specialist and see why explanation is now a fundamental skill for professionals.
ISBN: 1118374584Publication Date: 2012-10-12
The Chicago Guide to Communicating Science by
For more than a decade, The Chicago Guide to Communicating Science has been the go-to reference for anyone who needs to write or speak about their research. Whether a student writing a thesis, a faculty member composing a grant proposal, or a public information officer crafting a press release, Scott Montgomery's advice is perfectly adaptable to any scientific writer's needs. This new edition has been thoroughly revised to address crucial issues in the changing landscape of scientific communication, with an increased focus on those writers working in corporate settings, government, and nonprofit organizations as well as academia. Half a dozen new chapters tackle the evolving needs and paths of scientific writers. These sections address plagiarism and fraud, writing graduate theses, translating scientific material, communicating science to the public, and the increasing globalization of research. The Chicago Guide to Communicating Science recognizes that writers come to the table with different needs and audiences. Through solid examples and concrete advice, Montgomery sets out to help scientists develop their own voice and become stronger communicators. He also teaches readers to think about their work in the larger context of communication about science, addressing the roles of media and the public in scientific attitudes as well as offering advice for those whose research concerns controversial issues such as climate change or emerging viruses. More than ever, communicators need to be able to move seamlessly among platforms and styles. The Chicago Guide to Communicating Science's comprehensive coverage means that scientists and researchers will be able to expertly connect with their audiences, no matter the medium.
ISBN: 022614450XPublication Date: 2017-02-21
Communicating Science Effectively by
Science and technology are embedded in virtually every aspect of modern life. As a result, people face an increasing need to integrate information from science with their personal values and other considerations as they make important life decisions about medical care, the safety of foods, what to do about climate change, and many other issues. Communicating science effectively, however, is a complex task and an acquired skill. Moreover, the approaches to communicating science that will be most effective for specific audiences and circumstances are not obvious. Fortunately, there is an expanding science base from diverse disciplines that can support science communicators in making these determinations. Communicating Science Effectively offers a research agenda for science communicators and researchers seeking to apply this research and fill gaps in knowledge about how to communicate effectively about science, focusing in particular on issues that are contentious in the public sphere. To inform this research agenda, this publication identifies important influences " psychological, economic, political, social, cultural, and media-related " on how science related to such issues is understood, perceived, and used.
ISBN: 9780309451024Publication Date: 2017-04-08
The Craft of Science Writing by
Science journalism has perhaps never been so critical to our world--and the demands on science journalists have never been greater. On any given day, a science journalist might need to explain the details of genetic engineering, analyze a development in climate change research, or serve as a watchdog helping to ensure the integrity of the scientific enterprise. And science writers have to spin tales seductive enough to keep readers hooked to the end, despite the endless other delights just a click away. How does one do it? Here, for the first time, is a collection of indispensable articles on the craft of science writing as told by some of the most skillful science journalists working today. These selections are a wealth of journalistic knowledge from The Open Notebook, the online community that has been a primary resource for science journalists and aspiring science writers for the last decade. The Craft of Science Writing gives you a crew of accomplished, encouraging friends to whisper over your shoulder as you work. In these pages, you'll find interviews with leading journalists offering behind-the-scenes inspiration, as well as in-depth essays on the craft offering practical advice, including: How to make the transition into science writing How to find and pitch a science story to editors How to wade through a sea of technicalities in scientific papers to spot key facts How to evaluate scientific and statistical claims How to report on controversial topics How to structure a science story, from short news to long features How to engage readers in a science story and hold their attention to the end CONTRIBUTORS TO THE CRAFT OF SCIENCE WRITING: Christie Aschwanden, Siri Carpenter, Tina Casagrand, Jeanne Erdmann, Dan Fagin, Dan Ferber, Azeen Ghorayshi, Geoffrey Giller, Laura Helmuth, Jane C. Hu, Alla Katsnelson, Roxanne Khamsi, Maggie Koerth-Baker, Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Apoorva Mandavilli, Amanda Mascarelli, Robin Meadows, Kate Morgan, Tien Nguyen, Michelle Nijhuis, Aneri Pattani, Rodrigo P rez Ortega, Mallory Pickett, Kendall Powell, Tasneem Raja, Sandeep Ravindran, Julia Rosen, Christina Selby, Alexandra Witze, Wudan Yan, Ed Yong, Rachel Zamzow, Sarah Zhang, Carl Zimmer.
ISBN: 9781734028003Publication Date: 2020-02-01
Don't Be Such a Scientist, Second Edition by
In Don't Be Such a Scientist, Second Edition, Olson renews his call for communication that stays true to the facts while tapping into something more primordial, more irrational, and ultimately more human. In more than 50 pages of new material, Olson brings his pioneering message to this new age, providing tools for speaking out in anti-science era and squaring off against members of the scientific establishment who resist needed change.
ISBN: 1610919173Publication Date: 2018-04-10
Escape from the Ivory Tower by
Most scientists and researchers aren't prepared to talk to the press or to policymakers--or to deal with backlash. Many researchers have the horror stories to prove it. What's clear, according to Nancy Baron, is that scientists, journalists and public policymakers come from different cultures. They follow different sets of rules, pursue different goals, and speak their own language. To effectively reach journalists and public officials, scientists need to learn new skills and rules of engagement. No matter what your specialty, the keys to success are clear thinking, knowing what you want to say, understanding your audience, and using everyday language to get your main points across. In this practical and entertaining guide to communicating science, Baron explains how to engage your audience and explain why a particular finding matters. She explores how to ace your interview, promote a paper, enter the political fray, and use new media to connect with your audience. The book includes advice from journalists, decision makers, new media experts, bloggers and some of the thousands of scientists who have participated in her communication workshops. Many of the researchers she has worked with have gone on to become well-known spokespeople for science-related issues. Baron and her protégées describe the risks and rewards of "speaking up," how to deal with criticism, and the link between communications and leadership. The final chapter, 'Leading the Way' offers guidance to scientists who want to become agents of change and make your science matter. Whether you are an absolute beginner or a seasoned veteran looking to hone your skills, Escape From the Ivory Tower can help make your science understood, appreciated and perhaps acted upon.
ISBN: 9781597269650Publication Date: 2010-08-13
Houston, We Have a Narrative by
Ask a scientist about Hollywood, and you'll probably get eye rolls. But ask someone in Hollywood about science, and they'll see dollar signs: moviemakers know that science can be the source of great stories, with all the drama and action that blockbusters require. That's a huge mistake, says Randy Olson: Hollywood has a lot to teach scientists about how to tell a story--and, ultimately, how to do science better. With Houston, We Have a Narrative, he lays out a stunningly simple method for turning the dull into the dramatic. Drawing on his unique background, which saw him leave his job as a working scientist to launch a career as a filmmaker, Olson first diagnoses the problem: When scientists tell us about their work, they pile one moment and one detail atop another moment and another detail--a stultifying procession of "and, and, and." What we need instead is an understanding of the basic elements of story, the narrative structures that our brains are all but hardwired to look for--which Olson boils down, brilliantly, to "And, But, Therefore," or ABT. At a stroke, the ABT approach introduces momentum ("And"), conflict ("But"), and resolution ("Therefore")--the fundamental building blocks of story.
ISBN: 9780226270845Publication Date: 2015-09-16
Ideas into Words by
From the latest breakthroughs in medical research and information technologies to new discoveries about the diversity of life on earth, science is becoming both more specialized and more relevant. Consequently, the need for writers who can clarify these breakthroughs and discoveries for the general public has become acute. In Ideas into Words, Elise Hancock, a professional writer and editor with thirty years of experience, provides both novice and seasoned science writers with the practical advice and canny insights they need to take their craft to the next level. Rich with real-life examples and anecdotes, this book covers the essentials of science writing: finding story ideas, learning the science, opening and shaping a piece, polishing drafts, overcoming blocks, and conducting interviews with scientists and other experts who may not be accustomed to making their ideas understandable to lay readers. Hancock's wisdom will prove useful to anyone pursuing nonfiction writing as a career. She devotes an entire chapter to habits and attitudes that writers should cultivate, another to structure, and a third to the art of revision. Some of her advice is surprising (she cautions against s
ISBN: 0801873290Publication Date: 2003-05-14
Marketing for Scientists by
It's a tough time to be a scientist: universities are shuttering science departments, federal funding agencies are facing flat budgets, and many newspapers have dropped their science sections altogether. But according to Marc Kuchner, this antiscience climate doesn't have to equal a career death knell-it just means scientists have to be savvier about promoting their work and themselves. In Marketing for Scientists, he provides clear, detailed advice about how to land a good job, win funding, and shape the public debate. As an astrophysicist at NASA, Kuchner knows that "marketing" can seem like a superficial distraction, whether your daily work is searching for new planets or seeking a cure for cancer. In fact, he argues, it's a critical component of the modern scientific endeavor, not only advancing personal careers but also society's knowledge. Kuchner approaches marketing as a science in itself. He translates theories about human interaction and sense of self into methods for building relationships-one of the most critical skills in any profession. And he explains how to brand yourself effectively-how to get articles published, give compelling presentations, use social media like Facebook and Twitter, and impress potential employers and funders. Like any good scientist, Kuchner bases his conclusions on years of study and experimentation. In Marketing for Scientists, he distills the strategies needed to keep pace in a Web 2.0 world.
ISBN: 1597269948Publication Date: 2011-11-15
Science V. Story by
Uncovering common threads across types of science skepticism to show why these controversial narratives stick and how we can more effectively counter them through storytelling. Science v. Story analyzes four scientific controversies--climate change, evolution, vaccination, and COVID-19--through the lens of storytelling. Instead of viewing stories as adversaries to scientific practices, Emma Frances Bloomfield demonstrates how storytelling is integral to science communication. Drawing from narrative theory and rhetorical studies, Science v. Story examines scientific stories and rival stories, including disingenuous rival stories that undermine scientific conclusions and productive rival stories that work to make science more inclusive. Science v. Story offers two tools to evaluate and build stories: narrative webs and narrative constellations. These visual mapping tools chart the features of a story (i.e., characters, action, sequence, scope, storyteller, and content) to locate opportunities for audience engagement. Bloomfield ultimately argues that we can strengthen science communication by incorporating storytelling in critical ways that are attentive to audience and context.
ISBN: 0520380819Publication Date: 2024-02-27
A Scientist's Guide to Talking with the Media by
Richard Hayes and Daniel Grossman draw on their expertise in public relations and journalism to empower researchers in a variety of fields to spread their message on their own terms. The authors provide tips on how to translate abstract concepts into concrete metaphors, craft soundbites, and prepare for interviews. For those looking for a higher profile, the authors explain how to become a reporter's trusted source-the first card in the Rolodex-on controversial issues. A must-read for all scientists, this book shows how it is possible for the discoveries that hibernate in lecture halls and academic journals to reach a broader audience in a way that is accurate and effective.
ISBN: 0813538580Publication Date: 2006-08-16
Sharing Our Science by
A personal, practical, and inspirational guide to written and oral STEM communications for scientists and technical professionals. In Sharing Our Science, scientist-turned-writing teacher Brandon Brown offers an eminently useful guidebook for STEM practitioners looking to communicate their technical work to either a technical or a broader audience. Professionals are increasingly required to communicate their work through blogs, podcasts, and newsletters and to submit to traditional media. After seeing his colleagues struggle to find a writing guide that tackled the unique challenges of writing and speaking about scientific topics, Brown set out to write the definitive handbook to assist STEM students, scientists, engineers, and tech workers alike. In this practical and relevant book, Brown uses his experience as a proven science communicator to cover three levels of writing: fundamental craft considerations, such as narrative tension, structure, sentences, and audience; unique scientific considerations, such as conveying numbers and utilizing metaphors; and finally, social considerations, such as public speaking and writing inside and outside of silos. In place of a reference manual, Brown's engaging narrative guide clarifies the fundamental principles that impact all scientific communication tasks, from white papers and slide decks to Zoom meetings and emails. Sharing Our Science represents the culmination of a lifetime of writing, research, and teaching that will enrich scientists' careers and illuminate the ways in which science is done and conveyed to the world.
ISBN: 9780262546959Publication Date: 2023-08-29
Storytelling to Accelerate Climate Solutions by
The climate is changing faster than our cultural practices are adapting to it. This Open Access volume, co-edited by Emily Coren (a science communicator) and Hua Wang (a communication scientist), presents a survey of the latest in agency-focused climate storytelling. Together, practitioners and scholars across different fields shared their knowledge, experience, and insight about how stories can be designed and told to engage, enable, and empower individuals and communities in climate communication and action. You will learn a wide range of narrative strategies and exemplary applications of climate storytelling in terms of professional practices (e.g., education, literature, journalism, popular media), genres and formats (e.g., drama, comedy, fiction), media platforms (e.g., television, radio, mobile), and communication modalities (e.g., text, visual, audio, multisensory). Entertainment-education has been proven over decades to be an effective tool for social and behavior change in the public health sphere and has not yet been applied at scale to the massive ongoing climate-related disasters that we need to solve now, fast. There is an urgent need to rapidly apply and adapt public engagement tools for climate communication to speed up our response times for climate change mitigation and adaptation. This book takes a snapshot of where climate storytelling is currently at, describes where it fits within a climate communication landscape, and supports the next steps of its development. It facilitates the of creation climate storytelling efficiently by sharing and amplifying what is working well, and building collaborations between practitioners and researchers. This is an open access book.
ISBN: 9783031547898Publication Date: 2024-05-28
Examples of effective scicomm
- ArcGIS StoryMaps stories Looking for ideas? You've come to the right place. Discover the latest and greatest content from our storytelling community. See what stories we're loving right now, go behind the scenes with a featured storyteller, or browse top-notch stories on a variety of topics.
- Crisis in a lockdown: how NIST coped with a radiation leak Robert P Crease describes how news of a radiation leak at a US neutron facility was handled in today’s online, networked and locked-down world.
- Global Weirding with Katharine Hayhoe This series is a partnership between Katherine Hayhoe and KTTZ Texas Tech Public Media.
- The Plainspoken Scientist The Plainspoken Scientist is the science communication blog of AGU’s Sharing Science program.
- SciCheck FactCheck.org’s SciCheck feature focuses exclusively on false and misleading scientific claims that are made by partisans to influence public policy.
- Science and Entertainment Exchange The Science & Entertainment Exchange is a NAS program that connects entertainment industry professionals with top scientists and engineers to create a synergy between accurate science and engaging storylines in both film and TV programming.
- Science Moms "We are a nonpartisan group of climate scientists and mothers who care deeply about the planet that our children will inherit. Together, we aim to demystify climate change, talk honestly about how it will affect our children and give moms the facts they need to take action."
- Yale Program on Climate Change Communication "We conduct scientific research on public climate change knowledge, attitudes, policy preferences, and behavior, and the underlying psychological, cultural, and political factors that influence them. We also engage the public in climate change science and solutions, in partnership with governments, media organizations, companies, and civil society, and with a daily, national radio program, Yale Climate Connections."
Research centers
- AAAS Center for Public Engagement with Science & Technology The Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology provides scientists with communication resources, and it also facilitates dialogue between scientists and the public about the benefits, limits, and implications of science.
- Annenberg Public Policy Center: Science of Science Communication In 2014, the Annenberg Public Policy Center opened an area of study in the Science of Science Communication, to investigate how scientific evidence can be more effectively conveyed to the public. This research looks at the failure to dispel public controversy over such issues as climate change, vaccinations, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) despite the presence of valid, compelling and widely accessible scientific evidence.
- Iowa State University Science Communication Project The goal of SciComm@ISU is to enhance collaborative research on, education for, and the practice of public science communication, broadly conceived.
- Northwestern University Science in Society Science in Society supports high-needs, high-potential communities. We work to strengthen STEM learning and mentorship opportunities for K-12 youth, teachers, and community groups.