Does media coverage of research misconduct impact on public trust in science? A study of news reporting and confidence in research in Sweden 2002–2013

Authors

  • Ulrika Andersson Department of Journalism, Media and Communication. University of Gothenburg

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS942015904

Keywords:

media effects, agenda setting, research misconduct, public trust

Abstract

Over the past decade, there has been a gradual decline in public trust in science in Sweden. Questions have been raised as to whether or not this decline is the result of news media reports on research misconduct. Taking off in a theoretical discussion about the news media agenda-setting function, this study examined the extent to which, if any, there really is a connection between public trust and news content. It did so by drawing empirical support from a content analysis of the largest Swedish news media reporting on research misconduct in the years 2002–2013 and also from annual surveys of Swedes´ media consumption and trust in science, conducted over the same time period. Using news consumption, i.e. media exposure, as a proxy variable in the analysis, this study came to the conclusion that exposure to this type of news reporting had a positive rather than negative effect on public trust in science. The article discusses why this is so and also identifies some important questions that require to be further researched in order to understand public trust in science.

Author Biography

Ulrika Andersson, Department of Journalism, Media and Communication. University of Gothenburg

Ph.D. and Senior Lecturer at the Dept. of Journalism, Media and Communication, University of Gothenburg

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Published

2015-12-17

How to Cite

Andersson, U. (2015). Does media coverage of research misconduct impact on public trust in science? A study of news reporting and confidence in research in Sweden 2002–2013. Observatorio (OBS*), 9(4). https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS942015904

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 4 (2015)

Section

Articles

License

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