Covering Scientific Research in Dutch Newspapers
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TL;DR
The interviews revealed that reporting on scientific research means avoidance of complex information, even in the science section, and quality papers and science sections in general did not supply more or better information on these aspects.
Abstract
A content analysis of scientific news coverage in Dutch newspapers was conducted and supplemented with interviews with ten news editors and science journalists. In a total of ninety-six editions of the newspapers, we found 624 reports about scientific research. The content analysis focuses on the actual reporting of background and methodological aspects of the research covered. Contrary to expectations, quality papers and science sections in general did not supply more or better information on these aspects. The interviews revealed that reporting on scientific research means avoidance of complex information, even in the science section. Since most social-scientific research is reported in the news part of the paper, it generally lacks a critical approach to conceptual and statistical formulations.