Guidance on Communication of Uncertainty in Scientific Assessments. (16th January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hart, Andrew; Maxim, Laura; Siegrist, Michael; Von Goetz, Natalie; da Cruz, Cristina; Merten, Caroline; Mosbach‐Schulz, Olaf; Lahaniatis, Majlinda; Smith, Anthony; Hardy, Anthony
• Is Part Of: EFSA journal. Volume 17:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-01-16
• Subjects: uncertainty communication -- risk communication -- transparency -- probability -- likelihood; Food -- Europe -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; Food Safety; Food -- Safety measures; Europe; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Government Publications, International; Internet Resources; Periodicals; Periodicals; 363.19209405
• DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5520
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1831-4732

Abstract

Abstract: This document provides guidance for communicators on how to communicate the various expressions of uncertainty described in EFSA's document: 'Guidance on uncertainty analysis in scientific assessments'. It also contains specific guidance for assessors on how best to report the various expressions of uncertainty. The document provides a template for identifying expressions of uncertainty in scientific assessments and locating the specific guidance for each expression. The guidance is structured according to EFSA's three broadly defined categories of target audience: 'entry', 'informed' and 'technical' levels. Communicators should use the guidance for entry and informed audiences, while assessors should use the guidance for the technical level. The guidance was formulated using evidence from the scientific literature, grey literature and two EFSA research studies, or based on judgement and reasoning where evidence was incomplete or missing. The limitations of the evidence sources inform the recommendations for further research on uncertainty communication. Abstract : This publication is linked to the following EFSA Supporting Publications article: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/sp.efsa.2019.EN-1540/full