Science Communication Quiz 1
What are three examples of the deficit model being used poorly?
1. Biotech remains unloved by the more informed. 2. Anti-vaccination parents dig in heels after receiving medical info. 3. The polarizing impact of science literacy and numeracy on perceived climate change risks.
What are the four stages of the continuity model?
1. Intra-Specialistic stage (scientist-scientist). 2. Interspecialistic stage. 3. Pedagogical stage (educator/ mediator). 4. Popular stage (general public).
What are the first 2 segments of the inverted pyramid?
1. Who/ What/ When/ Where/ When/ Why and How. Summarizes the important details. 2. Important details/facts.
What are the last 3 segments of the inverted pyramid?
3. Important details/ facts. 4. Less important details/ facts. 5. The least important details/ facts.
Who was Walter Buller?
A painter that created beautiful images of native birds later made into a book.
What are some definitions of narrative?
A spoken or written account of connected events; a story. Narrative refers to the manner in which the plot and story are communicated to the reader.
What is the narrative structure?
A structure in which the story is presented in.
How should you appreciate your interviewee?
Always listen, give them an opportunity to think about anything they would like to add, thank them.
What is the continuity model?
An attempt at a more realistic model, but is still based on deficit assumptions.
What is the general layout of the diamond structure?
An entertaining beginning, elaborative detail, suspense, the MAIN event, solutions and conclusions, extended ending.
What are some examples of early Science Communication?
Collections of flora and fauna. Paintings depicting the landscape. Early geographic maps. The Moa and Moa Hunters.
If the piece has an argument, what would be discussed?
Details of both sides of the argument, your personal take on the argument.
What are some DON'Ts for interviewing someone?
Don't use leading questions, ego questions, presumptive questions. Don't stop listening/recording too early. Don't be shy about asking for another explanation.
Other than 'open', what else should you be?
Engaged, interested and flexible.
What are some more tips for a successful interview?
Explain your intentions, be clear about what's on/off the record, ask the hard stuff (at the end), embrace the silence, keep the microphone running.
Ideally where should you talk to a scientist?
Face to face and in the field.
How does money play a role in Science?
Funding dictates what and how much of Science is done; contestable, collaborative, infrastructure support, institutional.
During the interview, what should you not be afraid to do?
Ignore the preparation, trust yourself and let the interview guide you.
If you can't get to be with the scientist in person, what are your other options?
In the studio, over phone, email, twitter, using reconstructed interviews.
How is Science understood?
Inquiry, knowledge, facts/truth, profession, institution, culture, religion.
If science if done by people, what effect does this have on it?
It can become political, emotional, cultural, driven by money, untrustworthy, corrupt or unfair.
What is opposition/ resistance NOT due to?
It's not due to an information deficit.
After the interview, once goodbyes have been said how should you keep in contact with your interviewee?
Let them know when the piece is about to be published/broadcast. Keep in touch, share any feedback you may get for your work.
Why do we do Science?
New knowledge, innovation, discovery, economic advantage, developments, education, curiosity, fun.
Does all Science that should be done get researched?
No, the science that gets done is the science that gets funding.
Why should you not have notes with you during an interview?
Not having notes forces you to know your subject matter well, and listen to the interviewee. Questions are okay.
Does the deficit model work for controversial issues?
Not really, in fact it can sometimes cause more skepticism, more ambivalence, and sometimes outright opposition.
Before an interview, what 'homework' should you be doing?
Reading everything relevant to the subject that is available to you.
What is Science Communication?
Science communication refers to public communication presenting science-related topics to non-experts. This often involves professional scientists, but has also evolved into a professional field in its own right.
What does the deficit model not acknowledge?
Selective perception of media messages, existing motivations of the audience, communication intermediaries.
What are the linear models (diffusion/continuum) appropriate for?
Simple, non-political issues with common frameworks, and no required changes in values, attitude or behaviour. E.g Article about particle physics.
Why do we get involved in education, outreach and public engagement?
Social responsibility, encourage engagement with science, inspire, justify public funding, "because it's a good thing to do". Increases funding, attracts students, political influence, visibility.
What is the exposition of a piece of writing?
Some history, what has led to the situation?
What does the deficit model assume?
That knowledge doesn't change during the transfer. That the same knowledge will result in the same attitudes and behaviour.
What narrative structure is used to communicate crimes, fires and disasters?
The Martini Glass.
What structure is often used for magazine articles?
The diamond structure.
What else should you know?
The gear you're working with, time zones, logistics.
What is the deficit model?
The idea that members of the public are 'deficient' or lacking in knowledge.
What structure is typical for a news story?
The inverted pyramid. They could stop reading at any time.
Why are there so many problems with Science news being interpreted incorrectly?
The mediator populariser allows the public to understand what the scientists have done, but is unable to do scientific facts real justice.
What is the nature, emphasis and aim of the participation/engagement model?
The nature is co-production of knowledge and is multi-directional. The emphasis is the content and context, the aim is to set aims and agendas of the research together.
What is the nature, emphasis and aim of the deficit/diffusion model?
The nature is one way transfer, the emphasis is the context and the aim is to transfer that knowledge.
What is the nature, emphasis and aim of the dialogue/democracy model?
The nature is two way negotiation and consultation, the emphasis is the context and the aim is to discuss the implications of the research.
What is an assumption that the deficit model takes?
The public have a 'deficit' of knowledge, and this can be remedied through more science communication about the topic.
What are some DO's for interviewing someone?
Use open ended questions. Be mindful of body language. Keep enough, but not too much, eye contact.
What is it due to?
Value judgements, trust in scientific institutions. existing motivations and attitudes.
What is the definition format of Science?
What is it (study, knowledge, pursuit), the object (natural world, social world, universe) and the process (observation, experiment, systematic methodology).
Should you have a plan?
Yes.
How is Science done?
hypothesis, falsifiability, scientific inquiry.
