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Searching... | 30000010274851 | Q225.2.U6 E53 2010 re v.1 | Reference Book | Encyclopedia | Searching... |
Searching... | 30000010274852 | Q225.2.U6 E53 2010 re v.2 | Reference Book | Encyclopedia | Searching... |
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Summary
Summary
In the academic world, the term "science communication" refers both to a set of professions (such as science journalism and public information work) and to an interdisciplinary scholarly research specialization. Much of this research is aimed at improving our understanding of the best ways to communicate complex information, especially to people who are not scientists. Science communication specialists are concerned with giving people useful information about health, environment, and technology - as well as science itself. In order to do this, we also need to improve our understanding of how people think, form opinions, and process information.Additionally, professional practitioners in science communication are engaged in strategic and ethical decisions every day, such as: How should reporters cover the issue of climate change? Should the views of scientists who do not believe that climate change has been caused by human activity be included alongside the views of those who do, in order to give a "balanced" story, or does this mislead the public into thinking that both of these positions are equally accepted within the scientific community?The Encyclopedia of Science and Technology Communication provides information on the entire range of interrelated issues in this interdisciplinary field in one place, along with clear suggestions on where to begin the search for more. Geared towards undergraduate and graduate students in journalism, communication, mass communication, and media studies, as well as towards working journalists, public information officers, and public relations specialists, this encyclopedia introduces this vast, fascinating field while challenging the reader to question assumptions inherent in communication across disciplinary boundaries.Key Themes Associations and Organizations Audiences, Opinions, and Effects Challenges, Issues, and Controversies Changing Awareness, Opinion, And Behavior Critical Influences and Events Global and International Aspects Government Agencies (US) History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Science Important Figures Journal Publications Key Cases and Current Trends Law, Policy, Ethics, and Beliefs Major Infrastructural Initiatives Practices, Strategies, and Tools Professional Roles and Careers Public Engagement Approaches Theory and Research Venues and Channels
Reviews 3
Booklist Review
This interdisciplinary resource includes more than 300 entries on a wide range of topics related to science and technology communication as both a profession and a research specialization. Close to 240 international science- and technology-communication scholars have written articles that vary in length from a few paragraphs to several pages. Entries range from those illustrating the application of media theory and research to problems in science, technology, environment, and health; to case studies of controversial issues in science and technology and biographies of well-known science communicators; to studies of how science journalism is actually done and the problems it faces; and to guidance on using scientific sources. Examples include Breast cancer communication; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; Creationism; Drug advertising; Hubble Space Telescope; Mead, Margaret; Obesity epidemic; Peer review; and Television science. Two appendixes provide brief descriptions of 60 Science Communication Programs in the U.S. and elsewhere and an annotated, classified bibliography. Editor Priest is a professor of journalism and media studies at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. Offering perspective on the way nonscientists learn about science-related topics, this is a welcome addition to any academic and large public library, not just those serving journalism and communication students. Also available as an e-book.--Rosenberg, Robyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
Choice Review
Edited by a journalism and media professor, with nearly 200 contributors from academic, journalism, government, and research centers, this encyclopedia carefully interrelates science/technology issues and events with the journalistic, media, and public relations strategies and approaches that accompany them. Communicating the complex information of science and technology must embrace actual science, ethical and policy issues, public understanding, and public welfare, as well as assist people to process and use this information. This volume's 338 multipage entries cover case studies of controversial science and technology issues and the application of media theory to problems in sci/tech, health, and the environment. The following entries indicate this two-volume encyclopedia's range: "Anti-Smoking Campaigns," "Chernobyl," "Conflicts of Interest in Science," "Environmental Impact Statements," "Hurricane Katrina," "Optimistic Bias," "Risk Analysis," "Science in Virtual Worlds," and "Upstream Engagement.. This set's most evident value is illustrated by excellent entries on such major controversies as the Manhattan Project, Love Canal, Three Mile Island, and the Superconducting Super Collider. Contributors offer enlightening analysis and raise readers' awareness about the application of distinctive communication modes, public relations strategies, and resultant public reactions. The major audiences for this encyclopedia are undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers in journalism, media studies, communications, and science/technology policy studies, as well as working journalists, information officers, and public relations specialists. With its focus on actual events and controversies, this encyclopedia is distinct from the similarly titled single-volume Handbook of Public Communication of Science and Technology, edited by M. Bucchi and B. Trench (CH, Mar'09, 46-3797), which emphasizes communication theory. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All academic and large public libraries; lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. J. A. Adams-Volpe emeritus, University at Buffalo, SUNY
Library Journal Review
The broad field of "science communicators" includes journalists, medical professionals, public information specialists, and scientists. This highly interdisciplinary set is aimed at an equally broad audience of graduate and undergraduate students in communications, mass media, and journalism as well as postgraduate practitioners. Priest (journalism & media studies, Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas) has gathered an international array of researchers and practitioners to compile 300 alphabetical entries across two volumes (listed at the beginning of each). Volume 1 includes a useful "Reader's Guide" grouping entries under 18 topical categories like "Challenges, Issues, and Controversies"; "History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Science"; "Important Figures, Global and International Aspects"; and "Theory and Research." There are entries on alien abduction, effective graphics, logical positivism, nanotechnology, the obesity epidemic, risk communication, Carl Sagan, and wind power. All range in length from one or two paragraphs to seven or eight pages; each is signed and includes suggested further reading. Volume 2 concludes with an index. A nice addition is an appendix that describes academic programs in relevant disciplines including science journalism, science writing, and science communication. A second appendix contains an annotated bibliography of further reading throughout the two volumes. BOTTOM LINE The staggering diversity of topics covered here will appeal greatly to libraries serving researchers, scientists, journalists, and/or policymakers whose interests span the many disciplines covering science communications. An excellent addition to academic, large public, and special libraries.-Sarah Sutton, Texas A&M Univ. Lib., Corpus Christi (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
