How Science is (mis)communicated in Online Media

Data Science Conversations

Ágnes Horvát is an Assistant Professor in Communication and Computer Science at Northwestern University. Her work focuses on understanding how online networks induce biased information production, sharing and processing across digital platforms.

- The new Post-normal era for science - Having an awareness of the context and values that impact scientific research

• Where is science communication in relation to digital platforms? - Scholars work hard on discovering scientific findings, but information doesn’t always reach the public appropriately.

• How to communicate scientific research - it’s not just about communicating with scientists and general audiences. News needs to reach policymakers and governments too for real change.

• The production of scientific research has exploded recently thanks to decision-making demands - and the pandemic had a lot to do with this. Scientists were under pressure to carry out research quickly and at the expense of quality.

• Misinformation can have detrimental consequences - even leading to vaccine hesitancy in some communities.

• The surprising effect of retracting papers - papers that get retracted in the future are more likely to receive more engagement before getting withdrawn.

• Why are paper retractions on the rise? - again, the recent pandemic has caused an increase in retractions.

• Is social media helping or hindering science research? - while the platforms are helping to spread real news, social media also helps the spread of false information.

• As long as you have quality data and robust trends - regardless of the method, you will identity that trend.

Reducing the problem of miscommunication - with whom does the responsibility lie?