Journal article
Perceived familiarity or factual knowledge? Comparing operationalizations of scientific understanding
Science & public policy, Vol.39(6), pp.761-774
12/2012
DOI: 10.1093/scipol/scs048
Abstract
This study compares two frequently used operationalizations of understanding: factual knowledge and perceived familiarity. The authors argue that these measurements-which have been used interchangeably in past research-are conceptually distinct and should be treated as such. Using hierarchical linear ordinary least squares regression, this study provides evidence that factual knowledge and perceived familiarity are only slightly correlated and are influenced differently by predicting variables, such as media use and cognitive processing variables. As a result, the use of these measures may result in different assessments of the levels of public understanding, which has important implications for future policy decisions.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Perceived familiarity or factual knowledge? Comparing operationalizations of scientific understanding
- Creators
- Pete Ladwig - 1Department of Life Sciences Communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 320 Hiram Smith Hall, 1545 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USAKajsa E Dalrymple - 4School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Iowa, W339 Adler Journalism Building, Iowa City, IA 52242, USADominique Brossard - 1Department of Life Sciences Communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 320 Hiram Smith Hall, 1545 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USADietram A Scheufele - 1Department of Life Sciences Communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 320 Hiram Smith Hall, 1545 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USAElizabeth A Corley - 2Center of Nanotechnology and Society, Arizona State University, PO Box 875603, Tempe, AZ 85287-5603, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Science & public policy, Vol.39(6), pp.761-774
- DOI
- 10.1093/scipol/scs048
- ISSN
- 0302-3427
- eISSN
- 1471-5430
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/2012
- Academic Unit
- Public Policy Center (Archive); School of Journalism and Mass Communication
- Record Identifier
- 9984083845302771
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