Constructing and influencing perceived authenticity in science communication: Experimenting with narrative

Lise Saffran; Sisi Hu; Amanda Hinnant; Laura D Scherer; Susan C Nagel

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0226711

Constructing and influencing perceived authenticity in science communication: Experimenting with narrative

PLoS One. 2020 Jan 15;15(1):e0226711. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226711. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Lise Saffran¹, Sisi Hu², Amanda Hinnant², Laura D Scherer³, Susan C Nagel⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America.
² School of Journalism, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America.
³ School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, United States of America.
⁴ Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America.

Abstract

This study develops a measure of perceived authenticity in science communication and then explores communication strategies to improve the perceived authenticity of a scientific message. The findings are consistent with literature around trust and credibility, but indicate that authenticity-the perception that the scientist is a unique individual with qualities beyond institutional affiliations or a role in the production of the research-may add a potentially important dimension to accepted categories of integrity and benevolence.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Communication*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Narration*
Perception
Science*
Trust*
Young Adult

Grants and funding

The study was funded by the Research Council Grants at the Office of Research and Economic Development in the University of Missouri within the project titled, “Perceived Authenticity as a Cause of Trust in Science Communication.” Research Council Grant Number: URC-18-045. URL: https://research.missouri.edu/internal/researchcouncil. Funding received: LS. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.