TY - JOUR
T1 - Science communication
T2 - A contemporary definition
AU - Burns, Terry W.
AU - O'Connor, D. John
AU - Stocklmayer, Susan M.
PY - 2003/4
Y1 - 2003/4
N2 - Science communication is a growing area of practice and research. During the past two decades, the number of activities, courses, and practitioners has steadily increased. But what actually is science communication? In what ways is it different to public awareness of science, public understanding of science, scientific culture, and scientific literacy? The authors review the literature to draw together a comprehensive set of definitions for these related terms. A unifying structure is presented and a contemporary definition of science communication positioned within this framework. Science communication (SciCom) is defined as the use of appropriate skills, media, activities, and dialogue to produce one or more of the following personal responses to science (the AEIOU vowel analogy): Awareness, Enjoyment, Interest, Opinion-forming, and Understanding. The definition provides an outcomes-type view of science communication, and provides the foundations for further research and evaluation.
AB - Science communication is a growing area of practice and research. During the past two decades, the number of activities, courses, and practitioners has steadily increased. But what actually is science communication? In what ways is it different to public awareness of science, public understanding of science, scientific culture, and scientific literacy? The authors review the literature to draw together a comprehensive set of definitions for these related terms. A unifying structure is presented and a contemporary definition of science communication positioned within this framework. Science communication (SciCom) is defined as the use of appropriate skills, media, activities, and dialogue to produce one or more of the following personal responses to science (the AEIOU vowel analogy): Awareness, Enjoyment, Interest, Opinion-forming, and Understanding. The definition provides an outcomes-type view of science communication, and provides the foundations for further research and evaluation.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0042819911&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/09636625030122004
DO - 10.1177/09636625030122004
M3 - Review article
SN - 0963-6625
VL - 12
SP - 183
EP - 202
JO - Public Understanding of Science
JF - Public Understanding of Science
IS - 2
ER -