TY - JOUR
T1 - Explicating factual and subjective science knowledge: knowledge as a mediator of news attention and attitudes
AU - Ho, Shirley S.
AU - Looi, Jiemin
AU - Leong, Alisius D.
AU - Leung, Yan Wah
N1 - Funding information:
This study was supported by the Start-Up Grant [grant number M4081283] and the HASS Incentive Grant [grant number M4081618] from Nanyang Technological University.
Publisher copyright:
© AMIC/WKWSCI-NTU 2018
PY - 2019/1/2
Y1 - 2019/1/2
N2 - Communication scholars have conflicting views on the relationship between exposure to science news and knowledge, and its subsequent influence on attitudes. Such mixed sentiments could arise from the vague definition of knowledge. Therefore, this paper explicates science knowledge into factual knowledge and subjective knowledge. It also compares the mediating roles of both types of knowledge between news attention and public support for science and technology (S&T). A survey of 967 Singaporeans showed that news attention was positively related to both factual and subjective knowledge. The findings revealed a stronger relationship between subjective knowledge and news attention than factual knowledge and news attention. Additionally, factual knowledge was positively related to public support for S&T, but subjective knowledge was negatively related to public support for S&T. The contrasting directions of these associations demonstrate that factual and subjective knowledge are two distinct dimensions of knowledge. Practically, the findings can inform policymakers and communication practitioners about effective public education and engagement initiatives. This study also provided guidelines for newsmakers in news reporting about S&T.
AB - Communication scholars have conflicting views on the relationship between exposure to science news and knowledge, and its subsequent influence on attitudes. Such mixed sentiments could arise from the vague definition of knowledge. Therefore, this paper explicates science knowledge into factual knowledge and subjective knowledge. It also compares the mediating roles of both types of knowledge between news attention and public support for science and technology (S&T). A survey of 967 Singaporeans showed that news attention was positively related to both factual and subjective knowledge. The findings revealed a stronger relationship between subjective knowledge and news attention than factual knowledge and news attention. Additionally, factual knowledge was positively related to public support for S&T, but subjective knowledge was negatively related to public support for S&T. The contrasting directions of these associations demonstrate that factual and subjective knowledge are two distinct dimensions of knowledge. Practically, the findings can inform policymakers and communication practitioners about effective public education and engagement initiatives. This study also provided guidelines for newsmakers in news reporting about S&T.
KW - Factual knowledge
KW - subjective knowledge
KW - support for science and technology
KW - news attention
UR - https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85053248030&origin=resultslist&sort=plf-f&src=s&sid=512bad7b994ab14c066662e543b417ee&sot=b&sdt=b&s=DOI%2810.1080%2F01292986.2018.1518466%29&sl=34&sessionSearchId=512bad7b994ab14c066662e543b417ee
U2 - 10.1080/01292986.2018.1518466
DO - 10.1080/01292986.2018.1518466
M3 - Journal article
SN - 0129-2986
VL - 29
SP - 73
EP - 91
JO - Asian Journal of Communication
JF - Asian Journal of Communication
IS - 1
ER -