Uncivil communication and epistemic trustworthiness concerns in public online discussions in response to scientists during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic illustrated important developments in science communication, with direct online interactions between scientists and the public. This study performs a content analysis of tweets (“N” = 6,000) directed at German virologists (“N” = 6) during the pandemic’s first year. It identifies substantial levels of incivility and trustworthiness concerns, which often co-occurred. These findings enhance our understanding of online communication dynamics in crises by showing how incivility and trustworthiness concerns are not only prevalent but also evolve in response to specific events and phases. This analysis provides insight into the complexities of public sentiment toward scientists during the pandemic.