Framing Science: The Influence of Expertise and Jargon in Media Coverage

Abstract

<p>The authors use an experimental pilot survey to examine the effects of message framing on a local environmental topic—urban development. Researchers focus on liberal respondents and find that scientists are considered the most credible sources of environmental information. However, some respondents appear less likely to agree that the inclusion of scientific information or jargon increases a news story’s credibility or persuasiveness. The paper then discusses the significant potential implications that the findings have for public deliberation and the role of experts in public discourse</p>