Science Literacy and Misinformation Susceptibility

During health crises, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial for citizens to collaborate and adhere to a standardized set of preventive measures to effectively contain the situation. However, the proliferation of science and health misinformation on social media platforms can lead individuals to distrust the scientific community and health experts. Thus, this study aims to address a fundamental question: What type of literacy training can effectively address the issues arising from science misinformation and, consequently, enhance trust in science and scientists? To investigate this, an online experiment will be conducted to evaluate the efficacy of two types of literacy training—cognitive science literacy and civic science literacy—in reducing susceptibility to misinformation and fostering trust in science.