Factual accuracy and the cultural context of science in popular media: Perspectives of media makers, middle school students, and university students on an entertainment television program

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Abstract/Contents

Abstract: Popular media influences ideas about science constructed by the public. To sway media productions, public policy organizations have increasingly promoted use of science consultants. This study contributes to understanding the connection from science consultants to popular media to public outcomes. A science-based television series was examined for intended messages of the creator and consulting scientist, and received messages among middle school and non-science university students. The results suggest the consulting scientist missed an opportunity to influence the portrayal of the cultural contexts of science, and that middle school students may be reading these aspects uncritically – a deficiency educators could potentially address. In contrast, all groups discussed the science content and practices of the show, indicating that scientific facts were salient to both media makers and audiences. This suggests popular media may influence the public knowledge of science, supporting concerns of scientists about the accuracy of fictional television and film.

Type of resource	text
Date created	2016

Subject	Stanford GSE
Subject	entertainment media
Subject	health and media
Subject	Hollywood
Subject	media makers
Subject	media representations
Subject	popular media
Subject	middle school students
Subject	university students
Subject	popularization of science
Subject	producers
Subject	public understanding of science
Subject	science accuracy
Subject	science communication
Subject	science consultants
Subject	science education
Subject	science and popular culture
Subject	science fiction
Subject	television
Genre	Article

Related item	Title Link to publisher version of article
Location	https://purl.stanford.edu/ns183bq4995

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License: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license (CC BY).

Preferred Citation: Szu, E., Osborne, J., & Patterson, A. D. (2016). Factual accuracy and the cultural context of science in popular media: Perspectives of media makers, middle school students, and university students on an entertainment television program. Public Understanding of Science, 0963662516655685. Available at: http://pus.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/0963662516655685v1.pdf?ijkey=1fmTZOLp0D64iDv&keytype=finite

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