Sources, Characteristics and Effects of Mass Media Communication on Science: a Review of the Literature, Current Trends and Areas for Future Research
Sociology Compass 5/6 (2011): 399–412, 10.1111/j.1751-9020.2011.00373.x
Sources, Characteristics and Effects of Mass Media Communication on Science: A Review of the Literature, Current Trends and Areas for Future Research
¨ Mike S. Schafer*
University of Hamburg
Abstract
A significant amount of science coverage can be found nowadays in the mass media and is the main source of information about science for many. Accordingly, the relation between science and the media has been intensively analyzed within the social scientific community. It is difficult to keep track of this research, however, as a flurry of studies has been published on the issue. This article provides such an overview. First, it lays out the main theoretical models of science communication, that is, the ‘public understanding of science’ and the ‘mediatization’ model. Second, it describes existing empirical research. In this section, it demonstrates how science’s agenda-building has improved, how science journalists working routines are described, how different scientific disciplines are presented in the mass media and what effects these media representations (might) have on the audience. Third, the article points out future fields of research.
‘Scientists Bypass Need for Embryo to get Stem Cells’, ‘New Signs of Water Mean Mars May Once Have Supported Life’, ‘Proton Beams are Back on Track At Collider’ are all recent headlines extracted from the front pages of The New York Times. They illustrate that a significant amount of science coverage is found nowadays in the mass media ‘in front page articles[,] stories about discoveries, news about health, and reviews of economic trends and business affairs’ (Nelkin 1995, 1f.) – and that the chances for the broader public to inform themselves about science may have never been better (Felt et al. 1995, 244). This development is mirrored within the social sciences, where the relationship between science and the media has been increasingly examined since
Sources, Characteristics and Effects of Mass Media Communication on Science: A Review of the Literature, Current Trends and Areas for Future Research
¨ Mike S. Schafer*
University of Hamburg
Abstract
A significant amount of science coverage can be found nowadays in the mass media and is the main source of information about science for many. Accordingly, the relation between science and the media has been intensively analyzed within the social scientific community. It is difficult to keep track of this research, however, as a flurry of studies has been published on the issue. This article provides such an overview. First, it lays out the main theoretical models of science communication, that is, the ‘public understanding of science’ and the ‘mediatization’ model. Second, it describes existing empirical research. In this section, it demonstrates how science’s agenda-building has improved, how science journalists working routines are described, how different scientific disciplines are presented in the mass media and what effects these media representations (might) have on the audience. Third, the article points out future fields of research.
‘Scientists Bypass Need for Embryo to get Stem Cells’, ‘New Signs of Water Mean Mars May Once Have Supported Life’, ‘Proton Beams are Back on Track At Collider’ are all recent headlines extracted from the front pages of The New York Times. They illustrate that a significant amount of science coverage is found nowadays in the mass media ‘in front page articles[,] stories about discoveries, news about health, and reviews of economic trends and business affairs’ (Nelkin 1995, 1f.) – and that the chances for the broader public to inform themselves about science may have never been better (Felt et al. 1995, 244). This development is mirrored within the social sciences, where the relationship between science and the media has been increasingly examined since
References: ª 2011 The Author Sociology Compass ª 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd Sociology Compass 5/6 (2011): 399–412, 10.1111/j.1751-9020.2011.00373.x Mass Media Communication on Science ª 2011 The Author Sociology Compass ª 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd Sociology Compass 5/6 (2011): 399–412, 10.1111/j.1751-9020.2011.00373.x ª 2011 The Author Sociology Compass ª 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd Sociology Compass 5/6 (2011): 399–412, 10.1111/j.1751-9020.2011.00373.x ª 2011 The Author Sociology Compass ª 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd Sociology Compass 5/6 (2011): 399–412, 10.1111/j.1751-9020.2011.00373.x ª 2011 The Author Sociology Compass ª 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd Sociology Compass 5/6 (2011): 399–412, 10.1111/j.1751-9020.2011.00373.x