This bias in science journalism seems not to be due only to pragmatic concerns about time zones or the language spoken in the country where the scientist is based.
Journalists covering scientific research during the COVID-19 pandemic increased their reliance on preprints.
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Preprints are often free to use, making them more accessible for journalists to report on. However, as they have yet to undergo peer review, science journalists take a gamble on their accuracy.
Public service announcements, news articles and social media posts are all part of the coronavirus messaging landscape.
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During the pandemic, clear and reliable health communication can literally be a life-and-death issue. Researchers who focus on the science of science communication highlight strategies that work.
If what you’re reading seems too good to be true, it just might be.
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Behind a lot of news headlines often lie either questionable, oversold or misinterpreted research findings. So what should readers be aware of when reading news that contain scientific claims?
Zero-emissions energy is part of the solution to climate change.
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As we enter an era where once incurable diseases become curable, be prepared for some challenging debates about how to pay for gene therapy and the value of a human life.
You’ll be waiting a while for functional 3D-printed human organs.
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There is a stark mismatch between the elements required of a modern news story – unique, high impact – and the reality of medical research being slow, meticulous and progressing one step at a time.
Our decision-making and conduct is influenced by what we read, see or hear.
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Shrewd media consumers think about these three statistical pitfalls that can be the difference between a world-changing announcement and misleading hype.
You can sponsor someone to ride the zipline and support science journalism at The Conversation.
Eleven years after its release, An Inconvenient Truth, the iconic climate documentary, has spawned a sequel. But did the original do more harm than good by polarizing Americans on climate change?
Interviewing scientists - shown here is physicist Louise Harra - is a skill that takes experience and in depth knowledge on the part of the journalist.
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Popular programming that focuses on science tends to not actually be all that popular. Bringing in new audiences who aren’t already up to speed on science topics is a challenge.
UK scientists protest against proposed cuts in 2010.
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In part three of our series on reporting science, we look at what’s news, different types of science stories and red flags to watch out for.
Stories in the media are often the first or even the only way that people hear about science and medical news. So we need to get the reporting right.
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Health reporting requires asking the right questions and doing quality research. But specialist skills are also handy, especially when it comes to knowing the language and processes of science.
Yeah, I’m not hearing that.
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Quirks of human psychology can pose problems for science communicators trying to cover controversial topics. Recognizing what cognitive science knows about how we deal with new information could help.
Taking stock of what we know works… or not.
TV head image via www.shutterstock.com.
Now that we’re in a post-truth world, a timely report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine highlights evidence for what works and what doesn’t when talking about science.