Using Weight-of-Experts Messaging to Communicate Accurately About Contested Science. (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dunwoody, Sharon; Kohl, Patrice A.
• Is Part Of: Science communication. Volume 39:Number 3(2017:Jun.)
• Page Start: 338
• Page End: 357
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: weight of evidence -- weight of experts -- controversial science -- balance -- uncertainty; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Knowledge, Sociology of -- Periodicals; Communication in science -- Periodicals; Communication of technical information -- Periodicals; Communication in medicine -- Periodicals; Information scientifique -- Périodiques; Information technique -- Périodiques; Communication en sciences sociales -- Périodiques; Communication en médecine -- Périodiques; 300.14
• DOI: 10.1177/1075547017707765
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1075-5470

Abstract

Research indicates that balanced news coverage of opposing scientific claims can result in heightened uncertainty among audiences about what is true. In this study, we test the ability of a weight-of-experts statement to enhance individuals' ability to distinguish between more versus less valid claims. An experiment found that the weight-of-experts narrative led participants to greater certainty about what scientists judged to be true, which made participants more likely to "buy in" to that judgment themselves.