Preliminary Research Ideas

My research interests are focused on the communication of the natural sciences, environmental sciences, and technology to the public. 

I have composed the following list of questions to guide me in developing a formal research topic: What is the relationship between journalism and science? How can we marry the two to support the development of a scientifically literate public? What is the relationship between the tactics that media outlets employ in dispersing messages to the public and the way these ideas are accepted? What strategies can be used to offset the spread of socially unchallenged ideas to the public? How do people learn about climate change and other environmental issues? How does social media play a role in science communication? What kind of strategies are used within the world of science policy? How is science communicated by the left and the right wings of politics? What motivates people to give their attention to scientific matters?

My background research has provided me with several resources that have ignited some of these ideas.

Apart, W. (2008). Worlds Apart. New Perspectives Quarterly, 17(5), 64–65. doi:10.1111/0893-7850.00381

Nisbet, E. C., Hart, P. S., Myers, T., & Ellithorpe, M. (2013). Attitude Change in Competitive Framing Environments? Open-/Closed-Mindedness, Framing Effects, and Climate Change. Journal of Communication, 63(4), 766–785. doi:10.1111/jcom.12040

Carver, R. B., Rodland, E. a., & Breivik, J. (2012). Quantitative Frame Analysis of How the Gene Concept Is Presented in Tabloid and Elite Newspapers. Science Communication, 35(4), 449–475. doi:10.1177/1075547012460525

Macgilchrist, F., & Bohmig, I. (2012). Blogs, genes and immigration: Online media and minimal politics. Media, Culture & Society, 34(1), 83–100. doi:10.1177/0163443711427201

Kirzinger, A. E., Weber, C., & Johnson, M. (2012). Genetic and Environmental Influences on Media Use and Communication Behaviors. Human Communication Research, 38(2), 144–171. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2958.2011.01424.x 

Zhao, X., Leiserowitz, A. a., Maibach, E. W., & Roser-Renouf, C. (2011). Attention to Science/Environment News Positively Predicts and Attention to Political News Negatively Predicts Global Warming Risk Perceptions and Policy Support. Journal of Communication, 61(4), 713–731. doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.2011.01563.x  

Moser, S. C., & Dilling, L. (2009). COMMUNICATING CLIMATE CHANGE : CLOSING THE SCIENCE - ACTION GAP.