Intermediaries in the limelight: how exposure to trust cues in content about science affects public trust in science

Guenther, Lars ; Schröder, Justin T. ; Reif, Anne ; Brück, Janise ; Taddicken, Monika ; Weingart, Peter und Jonas, Evelyn : Intermediaries in the limelight: how exposure to trust cues in content about science affects public trust in science. In: Journal of Science Communication, Vol. 23, No. 09

Abstract

A potential decline in public trust in science has often been linked to digital media environments, which serve as intermediaries of trust by providing cues for why (not) to trust science. This study examines whether exposure to trust cues in content affects public trust in science (across population groups). The study employs a mixed-method design, combining content analysis (“n” = 906) and panel survey data (“n” = 1,030) in Germany. The findings reveal that exposure to trust cues in certain media predicts public trust in science. Variations across trust groups indicate a nuanced nature of trust-assessing processes in digital media environments.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Keywords: Public perception of science and technology; Public understanding of science and technology; Science and media
• Faculties: Social Sciences > Department of Communications and Media (IfKW)
• Subjects: 300 Social sciences > 380 Commerce, communications and transportation
• ISSN: 1824-2049
• Language: English
• DFG: Gefördert durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - 456602133