Civic Science and Policy Readings Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is one strategy that can help combat misinformation according to public health professionals?

Avoid tackling controversial issues to reduce conflict

Only monitor misinformation after it spreads

Engage in one-way communication with the public

Provide clear, consistent, and frequent public health guidance (correct)

Which of the following best describes political polarization?

An increasing distance between Democrats and Republicans (correct)

A collaborative approach between different political factions

A unified stance on issues by both parties

A temporary disagreement on specific policies

What is meant by 'pre-buttal' in the context of misinformation?

Anticipating misinformation and addressing it beforehand (correct)

Providing no information to avoid confusion

Rebutting misinformation after it has spread

Establishing one-way communication strategies

How can scientists foster better communication with communities?

By creating collaborative relationships in advance of crises Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is a key consideration regarding misinformation in the public sphere?

The existence and possibility of misinformation should be acknowledged Signup and view all the answers

What role does scientific expertise play in democratic life?

Enhances public understanding of complex issues Signup and view all the answers

Which reading focuses on the relationship between AIDS activism and scientific credibility?

The Construction of Lay Expertise: AIDS Activism Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the lecture on November 21st?

Misinformation Signup and view all the answers

How does funding impact the usefulness of science in society?

It determines which scientific agendas are prioritized Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following titles suggests a discussion about the ethical implications of public health policy?

What Covid Has Taught the World about Ethics Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant theme presented in 'Pandemic Politics: The Deadly Toll of Partisanship in the Age of Covid'?

The influence of partisanship on public health responses Signup and view all the answers

Which article discusses the industry perspectives surrounding gas stove safety?

In the Fight Over Gas Stoves, Meet the Industry’s Go-To Scientist Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of scientific communication is addressed in Arthur Lupia's work?

Strategies for communicating science in divided political landscapes Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reason listeners are more likely to pay attention to a topic?

The topic is relevant to the listeners' goals or well-being. Signup and view all the answers

What two aspects contribute to a speaker's credibility according to Lupia?

Relative expertise and common interests. Signup and view all the answers

Why is perceived credibility important in communication?

It is granted by the audience, not just based on speaker attributes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of information dissemination in ensuring science is useful in society?

Decision-makers might not pay attention to scientists. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a factor affecting decision-makers' perceptions of scientists?

Environmental concerns. Signup and view all the answers

Why is shared understanding of facts important for democracy to function effectively?

It enables informed debates and policy-making. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of building a constituency for public health, what should be leveraged according to Lupia?

Insights about audience attention and perceived credibility. Signup and view all the answers

What do decision-makers need to perceive scientists as in order to consider their input valuable?

Credible individuals with shared interests. Signup and view all the answers

What role do elites play in the spread of misinformation?

They can contribute to spreading or mitigating misinformation. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT mentioned as a way that misinformation spreads?

Direct government intervention. Signup and view all the answers

What did Lupia imply regarding the solution to scientific communication challenges?

Communication strategies need to be improved and tailored. Signup and view all the answers

What was recognized as a severe challenge to public health by October 2020?

Misinformation regarding the virus and vaccines. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the COVID-19 vaccine debate, who should address questions about mandates?

Democratic processes involving diverse stakeholders. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main concerns regarding the political landscape and science, as mentioned?

Scientific information may become polarized like other issues. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary challenge to reach a consensus about vaccine mandates?

Disagreement on the significance of scientific input versus public opinion. Signup and view all the answers

How does rapidly changing scientific information affect misinformation?

It presents an easier target for misleading narratives. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main challenges science faces in building a workforce?

The workforce does not reflect the public it serves. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Merchants of Doubt' refer to?

Efforts to create doubt about scientific findings through misinformation. Signup and view all the answers

Which tactic do 'Merchants of Doubt' often use to influence public perception?

Utilizing testimonials from famous scientists as a means of persuasion. Signup and view all the answers

What is one effect of leveraging the 'fairness doctrine'?

It requires equal airtime for opposing views on public platforms. Signup and view all the answers

What issue did the tobacco industry particularly focus on during their campaigns?

Fighting research linking smoking to cancer. Signup and view all the answers

In what manner do 'Merchants of Doubt' attempt to create a sense of uncertainty?

By pointing out the limitations of scientific findings. Signup and view all the answers

How do 'Merchants of Doubt' typically conduct inside lobbying?

By providing reports and seminars to Congress. Signup and view all the answers

What type of details do Oreskes and Conway include in their discussion of scientists associated with doubt manufacturing?

Biographical details that provide context to their actions. Signup and view all the answers

What has become a 'mega-identity' influencing political choices?

Partisanship Signup and view all the answers

Which motivation is heightened in politically polarized settings?

Group/identity motivations Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely outcome of political divides in collaborative settings?

Increased uncertainty Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following biases is especially prevalent in politically polarized environments?

Confirmation bias Signup and view all the answers

What strategy can be employed to overcome challenges in politically polarized settings?

Build relationships in advance Signup and view all the answers

What role do bioethicists play in decision-making processes related to policy?

Offering frameworks for value trade-offs Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a common value in policymaking?

Equity Signup and view all the answers

What is a key question regarding the relationship between science and policy?

How does science become useful in society? Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Readings

Elizabeth Christopherson, Dietram Scheufele, and Brooke Smith, "The Civic Science Imperative"
The Economist, “The Trials of Gene Therapy"
Adam Levine, “Collaborate Now!" (Chapters 1, 5, & 6)
Arthur Lupia, “Communicating Science in Politicized Environments"
Naomi Oreskes & Erik M. Conway, “Merchants of Doubt" (Introduction, Chapters 1 & 2)
Hiroko Tabuchi, “In the Fight Over Gas Stoves, Meet the Industry's Go-To Scientist"
Holden Thorp, “It Matters Who Does Science"
Erica L. Green, “Longtime University President's Legacy: A Diverse New Generation in STEM”
Steven Epstein, “The Construction of Lay Expertise: AIDS Activism and the Forging of Credibility in the Reform of Clinical Trials"
Abby S. Haynes, “Galvanizers, Guides, Champions, and Shields: The Many Ways that Policymakers Use Public Health Researchers”
Shana Gadarian, Sara Goodman, and Tom Pepinsky, "Pandemic Politics: The Deadly Toll of Partisanship in the Age of Covid"
Ezekiel J. Emanuel, Ross Upshur, and Maxwell Smith, “What Covid Has Taught the World about Ethics."
Franklin G. Miller, “Should Ethicists Be at the Table in Public Health Policy Deliberations?”

Lectures

Tuesday, November 5th, Key Historical Moments
Thursday, November 7th, The Science Workforce/Election Results
Tuesday, November 12th, Credibility, Expertise, and Power
Thursday, November 14th, The Nature of Relationships Between Scientists and Non-Scientists
Thursday, November 21st, Misinformation
Tuesday, December 3rd, Polarization
Thursday, December 5th, Ethics, Public Policy, and Course Wrap-Up

Podcasts

Public Health on Call Podcast, Episode 59, “Social Media, Scientific Uncertainty, and Political Polarization – Covid-19's Misinformation Storm”
Public Health on Call Podcast, Episode 178, “How Covid-19's Misinformation Storm May Impact the Election”

How Does Science Become Useful in Society?

One piece is about what we choose to fund, and who sets the agenda.
Conventional idea: focus on basic science
Second piece is about how we choose to communicate scientific findings.
Conventional idea: focus on information dissemination
Bogenschneider and Corbett challenge the latter idea.

Science of Collaboration

New collaborative relationships between people with diverse expertise are important.
Important for setting the scientific agenda.
Important for using scientific results.

Adam Levine's Views on the Science of Collaboration

Collaborative relationships: back-and-forth interaction between diverse experts.
Two types of goals:
- Informal collaboration: knowledge exchange.
- Formal collaboration: shared ownership and accountability.

Adam Levine's Views on Unmet Desire

Unmet desire to collaborate arises due to barriers to voluntary civic activity.
Lack of time/money
Lack of incentives
Lack of opportunity
Uncertainty about other's perspectives.

Elements of Relationality

Concerns about oneself (self-competence and script concerns).
Concerns about the other person (enjoyment, valuing expertise, communication).
Trustworthiness.

Implications of Taking Relational Uncertainty Seriously

People are more likely to engage in collaboration when others are perceived as having valuable/trustworthy information.
People prefer enjoyable interactions.
People engage more when interactions are perceived as enjoyable

Action Item: Surface Unmet Desire to Collaborate

Developing an unmet desire survey.

Surveys of Local Policymakers and Other Topics

Surveys of local policymakers.
Unmet desire for more evidence-informed policymaking.
Focus on local researchers.
Three separate types of policy makers related to the health of their community.
Examples given.
Unmet desire among sustainability professionals.
Key findings (Fall 2022-Spring 2023).

A Reminder on Policy for Science Vs. Science for Policy

"Policy for science" (What)
- What do we choose to fund?
- Who sets the scientific agenda?
"Science for policy" (How)
- How do those with science-related expertise communicate?
- How do decision-makers use science?

Policy for Science at the Federal Level.

Who does the President appoint related to health and human services and scientific institutions?
Who does the President appoint to lead National Science Foundation and National Science Board?

Science for Policy at the Federal Level.

Regulations pursued by departments/agencies
How are discretionary dollars spent?
What laws are passed by Congress?
What priorities are pursued in budgets?
What judges are appointed?

Looking Beyond the Federal Level

Federalist system of government.
Many headlines focus on the federal level.

How Can Scientists/Public Health Professionals Combat Misinformation?

A few strategies:
- avoid misinformation in the first place
- anticipate and use "pre-buttal"
- connect to an audience's values
- use two-way communication

Political Polarization

Political polarization: increasing distance between Democrats and Republicans.
Issue-based/ideological polarization.
Affective polarization.

Political Polarization (Gadarian et al)

Partisanship as a "mega-identity".
Identifications aligning with other social identities (gender, religion, class, rural/urban, race, and education).

Fundamentals of Understanding Politically Polarized Settings

Uncertainty about relationality (new collaborators seeing each other as strangers)
Political divides heighten relational uncertainty.
Political divides elevate group/identity motivations over accuracy motivations.
Two upshots: Confirmation bias, and disconfirmation bias.

Strategies for Working in Politically Polarized Settings

Build new collaborative relationships.
Find in-group members.
Emphasize shared identities.
Respond to misperceptions and communicate messages effectively.

Key Question of this Class (How Does Science Become Useful in Society?)

Conventional view of policy for science as a linear model.
Government funds basic research, it will provide a reservoir of findings, scientific experts solve problems.
Conventional view of science for policy as a deficit model. - Decision makers lack knowledge so experts need to give them information.

Misinformation (April 2020 Podcast)

How does misinformation spread?
Top-down: elites misleading the public.
Bottom-up: individuals trying to make sense of situations.

Misinformation (October 2020 Podcast)

Misinformation is challenging public health (virus, vaccines, treatments).
Elites greatly amplifying misinformation.

Credibility

What is credibility?
It matters for whether scientists are persuasive to an audience.
It matters for whether non-scientists are credible to scientists.

Credibility (Epstein)

How scientific credibility might be gained by non-scientists over time.
Engaging lay expertise isn't just about scientists being humble.
Lay activists have agency.

Misinformation: What Is It?

Misinformation defined: false, inaccurate, or misleading information.
Concern among top government officials.

Additional Considerations (page 12)

There is tension: Need scientific experts, while also needing an active, educated citizenry.
We need scientific experts, but also need a robust civic life.
Science and democracy are inextricably linked.
Following science is more complicated than it seems.

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Test your understanding of key themes in science communication and policy from influential readings. This quiz covers topics such as gene therapy, pandemic politics, and the role of activists in shaping scientific credibility. Dive deep into how science interacts with society and policy-making.