Stylistic analysis of headlines in science journalism: A case study of New Scientist

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 894-907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Molek-Kozakowska
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Stylistic Analysis ◽  
Science Journalism ◽  
The Media

This article explores science journalism in the context of the media competition for readers’ attention. It offers a qualitative stylistic perspective on how popular journalism colonizes science communication. It examines a sample of 400 headlines collected over the period of 15 months from the ranking of five ‘most-read’ articles on the website of the international magazine New Scientist. Dominant lexical properties of the sample are first identified through frequency and keyness survey and then analysed qualitatively from the perspective of the stylistic projection of newsworthiness. The analysis illustrates various degrees of stylistic ‘hybridity’ in online popularization of scientific research. Stylistic patterns that celebrate, domesticate or personalize science coverage (characteristic of popular journalism) are intertwined with devices that foreground tentativeness, precision and informativeness (characteristic of science communication). The article reflects on the implications of including various proportions of academic and popular styles in science journalism.

A Case Study of Indonesian Journalists’ Participation in a Cochran Fellowship Program focused on Biotechnology and Journalism

2017 ◽  
pp. 52-66
Author(s):  
Holli R. Leggette ◽  
Samuel Thomas Hall ◽  
Theresa Pesl Murphrey
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Communication Training ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Fellowship Program ◽  
Science Journalism ◽  
News Organizations ◽  
Building Activities

This case study describes the participation of Indonesian journalists in a two-week Cochran Fellowship Program designed to teach about biotechnology and the process of disseminating scientific information. The purpose of this case study was to examine the experience of Indonesian journalists who participated in science communication training in an effort to document practices that improve journalistic writing skills and encourage positive perceptions of biotechnology. Therefore, we collected pre- and post-training reflections, photo reflections, and project debriefing session reflections from six Indonesian journalists who specialized in various types of journalism and worked for private or government-owned news organizations. The reflections revealed changes in comfort level with journalistic writing, thoughts and behaviors, and understanding of the biotechnology process. The journalists showed the most change in comfort level for explaining communication tools; using, evaluating, and choosing communication mediums; and translating science related to biotechnology. They described biotechnology as a highly debated, multi-step process affecting food security and noted that they gained valuable information about science journalism and biotechnology. Training journalists and understanding their voices could enable agriculturalists to more effectively communicate about scientific issues and develop impactful capacity-building activities. Because journalists have the power to inform and influence, programs, like this one, can have far-reaching, beneficial impacts on the adoption of biotechnology. However, researchers should investigate future programs using a longitudinal study to determine if programs influence the stories published in the years following the training

scholarly journals Framing science: How opioid research is presented in online news media

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Matthias ◽  
Alice Fleerackers ◽  
Juan Pablo Alperin
Keyword(s):  
News Media ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Online News ◽  
Science Journalism ◽  
Related Research ◽  
News Stories ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Media ◽  
Understanding Of Science

Through their coverage and framing, popular news media play an instrumental role in shaping public perception of important issues like the opioid crisis. Using a detailed coding instrument, we analyzed how opioid-related research was covered by US and Canadian online news media in 2017 and 2018, at the height of the crisis. We find that opioid-related research is not frequently mentioned in online news media, but when it is, it is most often framed as valid, certain, and trustworthy. Our results also reveal that the media predominantly present research findings without context, providing little information about the study design, methodology, or other relevant details—although there is variability in what kind of news stories mention opioid-related research, what study details they provide, and what frames they use. Potential implications for the future of science communication and science journalism, as well as the public perception and understanding of science, are discussed.

Science communication skills for water coverage. Case study: IHE-SciDev training.

2021 ◽  
pp. 43-48
Author(s):  
Charles Wendo
Keyword(s):  
Communication Skills ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Online Course ◽  
River Nile ◽  
Nile Basin ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Water Cooperation ◽  
The Media

Abstract In May 2017, a workshop was held in Cairo, Egypt, to explore ways in which researchers doing research on topics related to the Nile Basin can work with journalists, aiming for better communication of science through media. The workshop hosted 40 participants, including communication specialists, scientists, academics, policy makers and NGOs' representatives from Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan and international organizations. The workshop concluded that researchers and journalists needed more training in communicating and reporting science. In this respect, IHE Delft Institute partnered with SciDev.Net to develop and run an online course, 'Science Communication Skills for Water Cooperation and Diplomacy', which is described in this chapter. The main objective of the online course that took place between October 2018 and March 2019 was to build the capacity of scientists to engage with the media and effectively communicate science, and to deal with the River Nile as a vehicle of cooperation and development rather than conflict. Overall, the course had largely met the desired objectives. Most respondents greatly appreciated practical exercises, especially those on writing a press release and designing a communication strategy. The training platform was accessible and easy to use for most participants. However, there were areas that did not work as expected, most notably the length of the course.

scholarly journals The communication of scientific research in news media: Contemporary challenges and opportunities

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (03) ◽  
pp. C06
Author(s):  
Georgia Dempster
Keyword(s):  
News Media ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Working Relationships ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Australian Science

This commentary is based on a talk that was presented during the Australian Science Communicators Conference in February 2020. As a Ph.D. student, my research is focused on the investigation of methods of communicating science to public audiences. Within science communication, this talk discussed a case study that was completed as part of my Ph.D. This commentary details a review of a portion of the literature that I completed for my Ph.D. related to the misreporting of scientific research in news media. This review of the literature is relevant to the contemporary environment of scientific research reported in news media. I conclude by suggesting that given the challenging science and news media landscapes; scientists, science communicators and journalists must work more effectively together to uphold the integrity of their professions and to ensure that scientific research is more accurately reported in news media. Additionally, I argue that more research is needed that seeks to understand the relationships between scientists, science communicators and journalists to enable more effective working relationships between these professionals.

scholarly journals AI writing bots are about to revolutionise science journalism: we must shape how this is done

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (01) ◽  
pp. E ◽  
Author(s):  
Mico Tatalovic
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Press Releases ◽  
Science Journalism ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
News Stories ◽  
Sports Finance ◽  
Digital Press

The rise of artificial intelligence has recently led to bots writing real news stories about sports, finance and politics. As yet, bots have not turned their attention to science, and some people still mistakenly think science is too complex for bots to write about. In fact, a small number of insiders are now applying AI algorithms to summarise scientific research papers and automatically turn them into simple press releases and news stories. Could the science beat be next in line for automation, potentially making many science reporters --- and even editors --- superfluous to science communication through digital press? Meanwhile, the science journalism community remains largely unaware of these developments, and is not engaged in directing AI developments in ways that could enhance reporting.

From black holes to Brexit: the inside track on science journalism

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Gibney
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Public Debate ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Science Journalism ◽  
Fundamental Part ◽  
The Media

<p>Communication is now a fundamental part of being a scientist. Public debate and funding decisions can be shaped by which research get picked up by the media as well as how the story is told. This talk will delve into how journalists find, report and write stories and give insights into the challenges and adventures involved. It will also reflect on how researchers can best interact with the media, both to improve science communication and the reach of their work. Finally it will touch on the multiple roles that science journalists play: as entertainers, conduits for important information and critical voices that hold science to account.</p>

IMAGE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MORDOVIA IN THE MEDIA VOLGA FEDERAL DISTRICT (BASED ON CONTENT ANALYSIS OF NEWS PUBLICATIONS)

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 44-52
Author(s):  
LARISA ZAITSEVA ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Information Content ◽  
Federal District ◽  
Information Space ◽  
Political News ◽  
Social Sphere ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Number Of Publications

The territorial image is formed both purposefully by the subjects of image-making, and spontaneously-based on the influence of information content published in various media. The purpose of the research is to analyze the image of the Republic of Mordovia in the information space of the Volga Federal district. The image of the territory formed by external target audiences by means of news materials is studied using the method of case study and content analysis of publications: “Volga news”, “Federal Press” news of the PFD, “Pravda PFD”. The authors conclude that modern reality is perceived through the prism of the information field created by mass media. The media creates images filled with certain data, facts, colored by emotions, on the basis of which representations, opinions, judgments, and assessments are subsequently formed. The media play a significant role in shaping the territorial image, especially for external target audiences who are not familiar with the region and do not have their own assessment knowledge and experience. Most of the information content about the Republic in the studied media is related to the main thematic blocks: politics, economy, social sphere, culture (art, sports). Moreover, if in the publications “Volga news” and “Pravda PFD” mention of the region prevails in the economic block, then in the publications “Federal Press” and “Nezavisimaya Gazeta” - in the political one. The Volga news publication significantly dominates the rest in terms of the number of publications about Mordovia. The content of publications is mostly positive and neutral related to the issues of economic development of the territory and the preparation and holding of the world football championship. Pravda PFD mentions the Republic in the context of news from neighboring territories, most of the publications date back to 2018, but here the context is related to the Republic's positions among the regions of the PFD in various ratings. The publication “Federal-Press” forms a generally reflective image of the territory, focusing on the negative aspects of regional life. “Nezavisimaya Gazeta”, giving priority to political news, maintains a neutral and reflective context of publications, paying attention to the key problems of the territory. Thus, the desired image of the region is counter-dictated to the image broadcast by the media through various information channels, so it is necessary to constantly monitor the information space and timely correction of the broadcast materials.

International Perspectives on Science Communication Ethics

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 170-179
Author(s):  
Bruce V. Lewenstein
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Competing Values ◽  
Science Journalism ◽  
Communication Ethics ◽  
International Perspectives

Today, I want to use my own field of science communication, and especially science journalism, to explore some of these competing values. I want to give examples of the kinds of issues that can be raised for students who go overseas, and suggest the types of thinking and learning that these issues can stimulate. 

Freedom of speech is not freedom from ethics: the 2019 Israel Folau media controversy as a case study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1329878X2199289
Author(s):  
Jay Daniel Thompson ◽  
Denis Muller
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Freedom Of Speech ◽  
Rugby Player ◽  
Ethical Principles ◽  
Framing Analysis ◽  
The Media ◽  
The One

This article examines how freedom of speech is framed in the media controversy surrounding the Australian rugby player Israel Folau’s April 2019 Instagram post. A content analysis and framing analysis of newspaper reportage reveals that the controversy has been largely discussed in terms of whether or not Folau’s speech was being curtailed and whether this curtailing indicates a broader, ideologically motivated censoriousness. This discussion is problematic in that it says little about the actual substance of Folau’s post. This article argues that debates surrounding freedom of speech such as the one involving Folau could and should be enriched by an engagement with ethical principles. This engagement is premised on a commitment to the free exchange of views, while acknowledging that ‘speech’ is not always inherently beneficial for democracy, nor worth defending.

Novel interfaces in science communication: Comparing journalistic and social media uptake of articles published by The Conversation Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 096366252110193
Author(s):  
Lars Guenther ◽  
Marina Joubert
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Science Journalism ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Public Science ◽  
Mainstream Media ◽  
Agenda Setter ◽  
Or Economics ◽  
Media Ecosystem

Science amplifier platforms such as The Conversation have gained popularity in a changing media ecosystem in which the traditional roles of journalists are eroded, and scientists are urged to engage with society. The Conversation constitutes a blend of scientific communication, public science communication and science journalism, and a convergence of the professional worlds of science and journalism. In this study, we investigated the nature and impact of the Africa-focussed edition of this platform, The Conversation Africa. We analysed articles published over a 5-year period since its launch in 2015 ( N = 5392). Contents from South Africa dominate the platform, but contributions from other African countries are increasing. Regarding the role of The Conversation Africa as an inter-media agenda setter, mainstream media more often republished stories related to politics or economics, while stories about social issues such as education, conservation and art were more often shared on social media.

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