Explicating factual and subjective science knowledge: knowledge as a mediator of news attention and attitudes

ABSTRACT

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Factual knowledge
• subjective knowledge
• support for science and technology
• news attention

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Shirley S. Ho (PhD, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2008) is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair (Faculty) in the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research focuses on crosscultural public opinion dynamics related to science and technology, with potential health or environmental impacts. Specifically, her work emphasizes the roles of values, social media, and other emerging modes of communication in shaping public attitudes toward science and technology.

Jiemin Looi (B.A., Nanyang Technological University, 2016), is a Master by Research student in the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication & Information at Nanyang Technological University. Her research areas include public opinion, media effects of new media technologies, and social persuasion. She is interested in examining and advancing established communication theories in the contexts of science-related issues and climate change.

Alisius D. Leong (B.A., Nanyang Technological University, 2016) is a Master by Research student in the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research interests lie in risk and science communication. Specifically, she is interested to examine public opinion formation and expression with regard to controversial science and technology in the context of new media.

Yan Wah Leung (Masters of Communication Studies, Nanyang Technological University, 2018) is a Research Associate in the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research interests include science and environmental communication.

ORCID

Shirley S. Ho http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1079-103X

Jiemin Looi http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9584-2483

Notes

1 Of the 967 participants, 0.1% had no formal education, 0.2% received primary level education or lower, 1.9% had some secondary education, 3.4% had GCE ‘N’ levels, 8.8% had GCE ‘O’ levels, 5.3% had GCE ‘A’ levels, 24.7% received a diploma, 46% had a Bachelor’s degree, while 9.6% had a postgraduate degree.

2 Among the participants, 2.3% earned S$1000 or below, 5.0% earned S$1001 to S$2000, 8.2% earned S$2001 to S$3000, 7.7% earned S$3001 to S$4000, 8.4% earned S$4001 to S$5000, 7.2% earned S$5001 to S$6000, 9.2% earned S$6001 to S$7000, 9.5% earned S$7001 to S$8000, 9.7% earned S$8001 to S$9000, 10.1% earned S$9001 to S$10,000, and 20.8% earned above S$10,000.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Start-Up Grant [grant number M4081283] and the HASS Incentive Grant [grant number M4081618] from Nanyang Technological University.