Science Communication Research Articles

JST and rJST: joint estimation of sentiment and topics in textual data using a semi-supervised approach

ABSTRACT This paper demonstrates the performance of the Joint Sentiment Topic model (JST) and the reversed Joint Sentiment Topic model (rJST) in measuring sentiment in political speeches, comparing them against a set of popular methods for sentiment analysis: widely used off-the-shelf sentiment dictionaries; an embeddings-enhanced dictionary approach; Latent Semantic Scaling, a semi-supervised approach; and a zero-shot transformer-based approach using a large language model (GPT-4). The findings reveal JST’s superiority over all non-transformer-based approaches in predicting human-coded sentiment in multiple languages and its ability to replicate known sentiment trends in legislative speech. rJST, meanwhile, provides valuable topic-specific sentiment estimates, responsive to political dynamics and significant events. Both models are, however, outperformed by transformer-based models like GPT-4. Additionally, the paper introduces the ’sentitopics’ R-package, designed to facilitate the use of JST and rJST in computational text analysis workflows. This package is compatible with popular text analysis tools, making the models accessible for applied researchers in communication science.

Political Labeling on Social Media: a Netnographic Study of “SDM Rendah” in Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Election on X (Twitter)

The 2024 presidential election campaign in Indonesia has produced various unique phenomena, including the emergence of the "Low Human Resources'' (SDM Rendah) label directed at the supporters of candidate pair 02 by the supporters of candidate pairs 01 and 03. The existence of this label has become a spotlight because it reflects the dynamics of politics and social interaction within the community. In conducting the netnographic research strategy in this study, the primary focus is on gaining a deep understanding of the underlying reasons for this labeling, as well as how it affects public perception and the overall political dynamics. The social media platform X was selected as the research subject due to its crucial role in facilitating communicative interaction, including the labeling process. It is expected that the results of this research can provide deeper insights into the phenomenon of labeling in the political realm on the X social media platform, as well as provide a better understanding for politicians and the public regarding the importance of using social media platforms wisely in the political context. This research also has significant academic implications in the field of communication science, particularly in the theory of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC), which can contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of social media in contemporary politics. The practical implications cannot be overlooked either, especially in the efforts to raise awareness of the power and impact of social media platforms in the political context during the 2024 presidential campaign in Indonesia.

Sci-comm a long way: my journey from research to teaching (and beyond?)

How does one transition from a PhD in molecular biology to a dual career in teaching and science communication? Science communication involves translating complex scientific concepts into engaging, understandable content for a broad audience, using storytelling, multimedia, and audience-specific adaptations. The journey from academia to science communication, and eventually combining both with teaching, highlights the need for distinct approaches to engage diverse audiences effectively. These approaches include using audience-targeted relatable analogies, incorporating pop culture references or designing hands-on activities to make scientific concepts more accessible and interesting. While science communication shares some similarities with formal education, each requires unique strategies, and both are crucial for educating future generations. Training scientists and educators in communication skills and fostering collaborations between academia and the public are essential for creating an informed, engaged society. By enhancing science communication efforts, we can better prepare the public to address the next scientific challenges.

A scenario–neutral approach to climate change in glacier mass balance modeling

Abstract Scenario–neutral methods are commonly used to rapidly compare system responses to changes in climate. Using glacier mass balance as a system response, we present a bottom-up, scenario–neutral method as an effective tool for preliminary and overview studies on glacier sensitivity and a complementary approach to traditional top–down methods. The method's main characteristic is its visual result: two–dimensional response surfaces depicting glacier mass balance. Their axes represent perturbations in temperature and precipitation relative to a baseline. The simplicity of our approach makes it applicable to all global glaciers. As a proof–of–concept, the Open Global Glacier Model (OGGM) is used to perform a scenario–neutral glacier sensitivity analysis for four glaciers. In addition, the integration with a top–down approach is demonstrated by overlaying temperature and precipitation from four Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models, under four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP). Finally, the benefits of the method are discussed for decision–making and science communication. Assessing results shows that overall, this scenario–neutral method can provide useful information for the research of climate change impact on glacier mass, from aiding study design to science communication.

Evaluation of the information quality related to osteoporosis on TikTok

BackgroundOsteoporosis is currently considered the most common bone disease in the world and is characterized by low bone mass, deterioration of the bone tissue microstructure, and decreased bone strength. With the increasing popularity of smartphones and short videos, many patients search for various types of health information through social media, such as short videos. As one of China’s short video giants, TikTok has played a significant role in spreading health information. We found that there are many videos about osteoporosis on TikTok; however, the quality of these short videos has not yet been evaluated.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the information quality of osteoporosis videos on the domestic TikTok platform.MethodsWe retrieved and screened 100 videos about osteoporosis from TikTok, extracted the basic information, encoded the video content, and recorded the source of each video. Two independent raters evaluated the information quality of each video via the DISCERN rating scale.ResultThe videos were divided into three groups according to their source: medical personnel, science communicators, and news media, with medical personnel posting the most videos. The content of the video is divided into 7 groups, namely, disease prevention, disease diagnosis, disease symptoms, disease overview, life-style, drug knowledge, and drug treatment, with the most videos related to disease overview. The average DISCERN score of the videos is 37.69 (SD = 6.78), mainly within the ‘poor’ (54/100, 54%) and ‘appropriate’ (43/100, 43%) rating ranges, with overall quality being low. Further analysis revealed a positive correlation between the number of shares, comments, likes, and favorites, and a positive correlation between the DISCERN score and the number of shares and favorites.ConclusionThe overall quality of videos concerning osteoporosis on TikTok is lower, but the quality of videos varies significantly across different sources. We should be selective and cautious when watching videos about osteoporosis on TikTok.

Taking Pride in STEMM by taking STEMM to Pride!

In the hopes of inspiring other science communicators to engage with the LGBTQ+ community, we highlight some of the barriers to inclusion in STEMM faced by this community and summarize the activities we exhibited on our "Proud to be a Scientist" stall at Exeter Pride 2024. This allowed us to reach traditionally excluded and low science-capital audiences and promote representation in queer spaces.

Picture perfect science communication: How public audiences respond toinformational labels in cinematic-style 3D data visualization.

Visualizing research data can be an important science communication tool. In recent decades, 3D data visualization has emerged as a key tool for engaging public audiences. Such visualizations are often embedded in scientific documentaries screened on giant domes in planetariums or delivered through video streaming services such as Amazon Prime. 3D data visualization has been shown to be an effective way to communicate complex scientific concepts to the public. With its ability to convey information in a scientifically accurate and visually engaging way, cinematic-style 3D data visualization has the potential to benefit millions of viewers by making scientific information more understandable and interesting. Maximizing the effectiveness of 3D data visualization can benefit millions of viewers. To support a wider shift in this professional field towards more evidence-based practice in 3D data visualization to enhance science communication impact, we have conducted a survey experiment comparing audience responses to two versions of 3D data visualizations from a scientific documentary film on the theme of 'solar superstorms' (n = 577). This study was conducted using a single (with two levels: labeled and unlabeled), between-subjects, factorial design. It reveals key strengths and weaknesses of communicating science using 3D data visualization. It also shows the limited power of strategically deployed informational labels to affect audience perceptions of the documentary film and its content. The major difference identified between experimental and control groups was that the quality ratings of the documentary film clip were significantly higher for the 'labeled' version. Other outcomes showed no statistically significant differences. The limited effects of informational labels point to the idea that other aspects, such as the story structure, voiceover narration and audio-visual content, are more important determinants of outcomes. This study concludes with a discussion of how this new research evidence informs our understanding of 'what works and why' with cinematic-style 3D data visualizations for the public.

Artificial Intelligence in Communication Sciences and Disorders: Introduction to the Forum.

Artificial Intelligence in Communication Sciences and Disorders: Introduction to the Forum.

Techno-ethical concerns related to genetic sequencing reports

Recombinant DNA technologies of the current era, most of which are comparable to past works of science fiction, have had diverse and significant impacts on social life. Among them, genetic sequencing deserves particular attention. The widespread use of genetic testing has raised numerous concerns regarding autonomy, confidentiality and privacy. In this context, the proliferation of ‘gene for X’ reports influences debates about the potentially beneficial or detrimental uses of genetics. While several studies have reported concerns related to the collection, storage and use of genetic data, few have considered the technical shortcomings that can affect the reliability of interpretation of sequencing data. In this essay, we will cover some of the current practices of genetic testing and safety aspects of DNA data. To evaluate the reliability of DNA data we will raise the question whether an ‘overestimation’ of researchers' results might reflect an ‘underestimation’ of our genetic make-up in terms of the limitations of the parameters necessary for the correct interpretation of genomic DNA. Following that question we will highlight the responsibility of researchers for proper science communication to avoid misleading information about genetic sequencing data.

Using TED talks to improve engineering students’ oral skills

This paper deals with the training of undergraduate engineering students and is interdisciplinary in nature. It brings together three distinct aspects of scientific dissemination: the content of an engineering degree; the oral transmission of this content following the effective TED talks model; and the use English as a medium of scientific transmission. The paper highlights the need for trainee Spanish engineers to be able to communicate their work to the public through oral presentations that are brief and entertaining, yet scientifically rigorous. The core of the study consists of an analysis of a particular TED talk that is relevant for a variety of engineering degrees. We conclude that while it is necessary for Spanish engineers to receive specific training at a professional level in oral communication skills, there is a close relationship between the mode of transmission and the subject specific content to be transmitted that needs to be considered carefully. Developing a mastery of English is important, but essential communication skills are the most crucial aspect, regardless of the language of communication.

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Communication Sciences and Disorders: A Bibliometric and Visualization Analysis.

As artificial intelligence (AI) takes an increasingly prominent role in health care, a growing body of research is being dedicated to its application in the investigation of communication sciences and disorders (CSD). This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview, serving as a valuable resource for researchers, developers, and professionals seeking to comprehend the evolving landscape of AI in CSD research. We conducted a bibliometric analysis of AI-based research in the discipline of CSD published up to December 2023. Utilizing the Web of Science and Scopus databases, we identified 15,035 publications, with 4,375 meeting our inclusion criteria. Based on the bibliometric data, we examined publication trends and patterns, characteristics of research activities, and research hotspot tendencies. From 1985 onwards, there has been a consistent annual increase in publications, averaging 16.51%, notably surging from 2012 to 2023. The primary communication disorders studied include autism, aphasia, dysarthria, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Noteworthy AI models instantiated in CSD research encompass support vector machine, convolutional neural network, and hidden Markov model, among others. Compared to AI applications in other fields, the adoption of AI in CSD has lagged slightly behind. While CSD studies primarily use classical machine learning techniques, there is a growing trend toward the integration of deep learning methods. AI technology offers significant benefits for both research and clinical practice in CSD, but it also presents certain challenges. Moving forward, collaboration among technological, research, and clinical domains is essential to empower researchers and speech-language pathologists to effectively leverage AI technology for the study, diagnosis, assessment, and rehabilitation of CSD. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.27162564.

What are we talking about when we are talking about the audience? Exploring the concept of audience in science communication research and education.

The concept of 'audience' is central to research and practice in science communication. When asked by a scientist for help communicating their work, who among us has not responded with the time honoured question 'who is your audience?' Yet what we mean when we talk about audience is not always clear: implied and ambiguous, rather than explicit and precise. This article explores this ambiguity, drawing on a systematic review of 1360 science communication research articles and a survey of 45 science communication educators. We report 10 different conceptualisations, in three groups. Being conceptualisations include 'Demographic', 'Knowledge', 'Values' and 'Embodied'; Doing conceptualisations include 'Interaction' and 'Dynamic'. In Qualifiers, we found 'Diverse', 'Potential', 'Plural' and 'General' conceptualisations. These data allow tracking of how we have conceptualised audience over time, an understanding of the groups systematically under-serviced, and a pathway to a richer discussion of this key concept for our field.

Unpacking social media `engagement': a practice theory approach to science on social media

Social media engagement is typically associated with actions such as sharing, liking, or commenting, and is often measured as such in quantitative analyses. This essay explores what is being captured through these methods by `unpacking' such engagement, arguing for a practice-oriented approach that takes into account the mundane ways in which non-scientists may encounter and use scientific content. We describe practice theory in the context of media production and use, before illustrating the approach with material from comments on Facebook posts produced by science-related sources. In showing the uses of science content in maintaining social bonds or performing particular identities (for instance), we argue that science communication research needs to study the wider contexts of how and why users encounter science online, and that the notion of social media practices can help us to do so.

Open access improves the dissemination of science: insights from Wikipedia

AbstractWikipedia is a well-known platform for disseminating knowledge, and scientific sources, such as journal articles, play a critical role in supporting its mission. The open access movement aims to make scientific knowledge openly available, and we might intuitively expect open access to help further Wikipedia’s mission. However, the extent of this relationship remains largely unknown. To fill this gap, we analyse a large dataset of citations from the English Wikipedia and model the role of open access in Wikipedia’s citation patterns. Our findings reveal that Wikipedia relies on open access articles at a higher overall rate (44.1%) compared to their availability in the Web of Science (23.6%) and OpenAlex (22.6%). Furthermore, both the accessibility (open access status) and academic impact (citation count) significantly increase the probability of an article being cited on Wikipedia. Specifically, open access articles are extensively and increasingly more cited in Wikipedia, as they show an approximately 64.7% higher likelihood of being cited in Wikipedia when compared to paywalled articles, after controlling for confounding factors. This open access citation effect is particularly strong for articles with high citation counts or published in recent years. Our findings highlight the pivotal role of open access in facilitating the dissemination of scientific knowledge, thereby increasing the likelihood of open access articles reaching a more diverse audience through platforms such as Wikipedia. Simultaneously, open access articles contribute to the reliability of Wikipedia as a source by affording editors timely access to novel results.

Surfing the COVID-19 news waves: a Belgian case study of science communication and public relations with university press releases

Press releases remain an important link between academia and the media. While science communication is a goal of universities, public relations is also becoming increasingly salient. The press release, as a significant tool for both science communication and institutional public relations, means that the fields are entwined, prompting us to propose viewing science communication and public relations on a continuum. Based on a quantitative content analysis of all press releases sent out by a Belgian university during the COVID-19 pandemic we show what this university communicates about and identify how science communication can be used for public relation purposes and vice versa.

Examining the impact of video production quality and presenter identity in science communication on knowledge acquisition and attitude change

ABSTRACT Scientists are increasingly required to communicate their research to the public despite lacking the necessary resources. We investigated whether scientists need to communicate their research themselves, through resource-intensive science communication videos. In an experimental study (N = 125) with a 2 × 2 design, we compared a professionally produced video with a non-professionally produced video and framed the science communicator either as a scientist or an influencer. The results reflect theoretical considerations regarding the unclear role of professionalization and personalization in the effectiveness of science communication videos, with participants in all four conditions gaining significantly more knowledge and changing their attitudes after watching the video. Thus, professionalism and personalization appear to play a subordinate role in the effectiveness of science communication videos. The findings further demonstrate that professionally developed videos are effective for knowledge acquisition if they are perceived as versatile and entertaining and the science communicator is believed to have a scientific background. In sum, the study contributes to evidence-based research on science communication videos and sheds light on prerequisites for their effectiveness.

To the problem of defining and distinguishing the definitions of "information security" and "cyber security"

The article is devoted to the problem of definition and comparison of definitions, in particular in the context of information and cyber security. The main emphasis is placed on the analysis of existing scientific approaches to the definition of these concepts, with the aim of identifying common and distinctive features between them. Different interpretations of terms in domestic and international scientific literature are studied, paying attention to their development in connection with modern challenges in the information space. Taking into account the different approaches to the definition of the terms «information security» and «cyber security» available both in science and in practice, this study compares domestic and international definitions, analyzes legislative and scientific literature, taking into account the impact of new technologies on the formation of modern definitions in the field information security. The main attention is paid to methodological approaches to the construction of definitions, their accuracy, comprehensibility and applicability in different contexts. Emphasis is placed on the need to agree on a terminology that would adequately reflect the modern challenges and risks that the state faces in the field of information and cyber security. The importance of a clear demarcation of concepts for effective legal regulation and practical application is also emphasized, emphasis is placed on the need to unify terminology and the development of standards for the construction of clear and unambiguous definitions, attention is drawn to the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in the process of creating definitions, which allows taking into account the specifics of various scientific areas. The novelty of the work lies in a comprehensive approach to the analysis of definitions, which makes it possible not only to identify key differences and similarities between different interpretations, but also to offer recommendations for their improvement. Having analyzed examples from various fields, demonstrating how ambiguous or incorrect definitions can lead to misunderstandings and errors in scientific research and practical application, the author offers his own methodology for assessing the quality of these definitions, which can be used to improve scientific communication and increase the accuracy of terminology, in the author’s vision of the definitions of «information security» and «cyber security» is published for the first time in the article, taking into account the security component and interdisciplinary nature. This makes the article an important contribution to the scientific debate on the development of terminology in the field of information and cyber security. The main aspects of the article are the analysis of different approaches to the definition of information and cyber security, the comparison of definitions by national and international researchers, the proposal of new, integrated approaches to understanding these concepts, and the discussion of practical aspects of the application of these definitions in the field of national security.

Stark Decline in Journalists’ Use of Preprints Postpandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use of preprints, aiding rapid research dissemination but also facilitating the spread of misinformation. This study analyzes media coverage of preprints from 2014 to 2023, revealing a significant postpandemic decline. Our findings suggest that heightened awareness of the risks associated with preprints has led to more cautious media practices. While the decline in preprint coverage may mitigate concerns about premature media exposure, it also raises questions about the future role of preprints in science communication, especially during emergencies. Balanced policies based on up-to-date evidence are needed to address this shift.

Kako se izogniti potvorjeni znanosti?

Purpose: The falsification of research data and ideas is not a new phenomenon in scientific communication, nor is it specifically related to open science, rather to the issue of web resources in general. Access to scientific publications has become even faster, cheaper and more accessible for the user. Unfortunately, misleading publishers, and sometimes the researchers themselves, are becoming increasingly inventive. Cooperation with such entities affects (non)evaluation of publications and creates a broader social problem. Not only are publications questionable but the use or misuse of such untrusted sources is also objectionable. Such practices adversely affect the development of society as a whole. Non-experts portray themselves as experts and refer to unverified, misleading scientific publications to justify their attitudes towards current social issues. In communication, including academic writing, we are witnessing a growing lack of knowledge and inability to think critically and an increasingly aggressive justification of the personal aspect as the only acceptable approach. One consequence is also the growing general mistrust in science and, in extreme cases, even deaths due to incorrect decisions by individuals, based on unverified claims and sources that appear to be scientific. Methodology: We have identified tools, platforms, and procedures that help identify and evaluate these practices, and are helpful to researchers and authors in selecting sources and publications in which to publish their findings. Results: The University of Maribor informs students and employees about this issue at lectures, and we have also prepared some research guides in which we try to raise awareness of the user, encourage them to think critically, and at the same time introduce them to the ways and tools that help them detect misleading practices

Vaccine hesitancy and the challenge of successful scientific communication

Vaccine hesitancy and the challenge of successful scientific communication Drawing on personal experiences and public discourse, Dr. Klaus Eyer, an Associate Professor at Aarhus University, explores the challenges of communicating about vaccine science to address vaccine hesitancy. Various hurdles need to be overcome by a vaccine to protect against a disease. It needs to be proven safe and effective in clinical studies. It also needs to be widely accepted and used by the public. This article examines the difficulties of communicating about vaccine science based on personal experiences and public discussions. My background is rooted in continental Europe, and my perspective may differ from those with other cultural or personal backgrounds. I have been actively involved in public outreach to promote vaccination, driven by my conviction in scientific evidence that shows current vaccines offer a net benefit to both individuals and communities, despite the challenges they present in terms of safety and efficacy in very rare cases, as I discussed in the previous article for this publication.(1) To offer a broader view, I’ve included insights from colleagues gathered through discussions in recent years, but we will still only be able to scratch the surface.