Matching Items (17)
Description
Science communication to the public can help create informed citizens and help bolster professional creativity and skills. A method for exploring this discourse is through art and multimedia. In this study, online educational videos were created to test whether specific misconceptions about biological evolution could be effectively addressed while also engaging the viewer. Two short videos (~5 minutes total) were created and hosted on a website where participants could access the videos. Survey questions were provided before and after the videos to test participants' learning abilities. Additional survey questions asked for participants' opinions and experiences with the videos to gauge engagement. Overall improvement was observed in participants' learning and engagement with the videos but with variable levels of understanding and suggestions for better experience. Future work will focus on improving the quality of the video content as well as the level of engagement between participants and media.
ContributorsRuiz, Cuathemoc Reyes Cesar Abram (Author) / Sandrin, Susannah (Thesis director) / Kinzig, Ann (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
Most individuals entering college are taking responsibility for their own health for the first time. Students are used to having a parent or guardian nearby to diagnose and provide remedies for common health issues. Entering college, whether in a different city or just down the road, means they must assume those responsibilities themselves. Navigating that transition can be difficult for college students. A large majority of students turn to internet health resources, such as WebMD, for health information. However, studies show that despite overall internet savvy, college students are not very skilled at finding legitimate health information online. Therefore, a health resource designed specifically for college students would be a valuable resource for many students at ASU. Working with local Phoenix physician Doug Lakin, I and a team of other Barrett students revised Dr. Lakin's healthcare guide, Thrive 101: Health & Wellness for College Students. I was responsible for the guide's second chapter, which provides information on specific illnesses and injuries. I conducted a literature review to discover the best practices for communicating medical information. I found that using short sentences, simple words, bullet point lists, numbered lists, and subheadings improved the effectiveness of a health resource. I also found that health information seekers want resources to be tailored specifically for them. They want personalized resources. Personalization means including health information that the intended reader wants, excluding the health information the reader does not want, as well as featuring personal anecdotes from individuals like the reader dealing with health problems like the reader's. I applied what I discovered to Thrive 101. I reorganized the chapter I was assigned, incorporating subheadings and clear organization of the information. I also eliminated information I judged irrelevant to college students and brainstormed what information was missing that college students would benefit from. At this time, the revision team has not gotten to the point where we are researching and writing new information, but we do have lists of items we want to include. The information already in the guide I reformatted into bulleted and numbered lists where possible. As with the new information, we have not begun to revise the guide on a prose level, shortening the sentences and simplifying the vocabulary, but we intend to work into the summer to finish our revisions.
ContributorsAbboud, Carolina (Author) / Maienschein, Jane (Thesis director) / O'Neil, Erica (Committee member) / Lakin, Douglas (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
Communication skills are vital for the world we inhabit. Both oral and written communication are some of the most sought-after skills in the job market today; this holds true in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Despite the high demand for communication skills, communication classes are not required for some STEM majors (Missingham, 2006). STEM major maps are often so packed with core classes that they nearly exclude the possibility of taking communication courses. Students and job seekers are told they need to be able to communicate to succeed but are not given any information or support in developing their skills. Scientific inquiry and discovery cannot be limited to only those that understand high-level jargon and have a Ph.D. in a subject. STEM majors and graduates must be able to translate information to communities beyond other experts. If they cannot communicate the impact of their research and discoveries, who is going to listen to them?<br/>Overall, the literature around communication in STEM fields demonstrate the need for and value of specific, teachable communication skills. This paper will examine the impact of a communication training module that teaches specific communication skills to BIO 182: General Biology II students. The communication training module is an online module that teaches students the basics of oral communication. The impact of the module will be examined through the observation of students’ presentations.
ContributorsLivingston, Elisabeth Shaw (Author) / Wentzel, Bonnie (Thesis director) / Sellner, Erin (Committee member) / School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
Description
My thesis/creative project is a series of videos, supplemented by a paper documenting all the research. The project focuses on domestic and feral cats through the viewpoint of the “warrior cats” book series. The use of a particular fandom as a vehicle for science communication is a unique platform for use as a thesis/creative project. The narrated videos are made with the intention of being presented on YouTube or a similar viewing platform to an audience that is already familiar with the book series. The videos would fit on the site as a form of educational film known as video essays. The videos cover a range of topics to relate this book series to real situations with domestic animals, particularly cats, and wildlife. Each video is around ten to twenty minutes long and presented as episodes in a series.
The objective of my thesis project is to help bridge the gap between entertainment and science. I grew up reading the warrior cats, and I assume I was similar to many other children and young teens who did not understand domestic cats or ecology enough to question anything in the books. I know that much of these books are fictional, but that does not mean that it can’t be analyzed and used as a tool for teaching. The goal is to reach common ground with those people who have an interest in the warrior cats series, and help them understand it in a new light, as well as the world around them. I aim for the takeaway of this series to encourage people to explore the concepts I discuss and consider expanding upon the ideas within the Warriors universe or with their own cats.
The objective of my thesis project is to help bridge the gap between entertainment and science. I grew up reading the warrior cats, and I assume I was similar to many other children and young teens who did not understand domestic cats or ecology enough to question anything in the books. I know that much of these books are fictional, but that does not mean that it can’t be analyzed and used as a tool for teaching. The goal is to reach common ground with those people who have an interest in the warrior cats series, and help them understand it in a new light, as well as the world around them. I aim for the takeaway of this series to encourage people to explore the concepts I discuss and consider expanding upon the ideas within the Warriors universe or with their own cats.
ContributorsGarcia, Johnny Nico (Author) / Bateman, Heather (Thesis director) / Meloy, Elizabeth (Committee member) / College of Integrative Sciences and Arts (Contributor, Contributor) / School of Art (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
Forensic science is the application of science to matters of law, especially criminal investigation and procedure. ForenSICK Science, on the other hand, is an educational YouTube channel. It was created in early 2019 after listening to two people on a podcast confidently preach surprisingly inaccurate information about forensic science. My goal in the creation of the channel was to give people the proper information regarding the practice. This goal grew to encompass several different fields including continued education practices, informal and nonformal learning, and combating “science speak.” Using YouTube as a tool in this journey was the first step in combating forensic inaccuracies.
ContributorsByrne, Mckenna Noel (Author) / Kobojek, Kimberly (Thesis director) / Wentzel, Bonnie (Committee member) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences (Contributor) / Watts College of Public Service & Community Solut (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
The process of communicating science between the general public and scientific community has been marked by several challenges in the modern setting. Namely, scientists’ trepidation toward misinterpretation, jeopardization of professional reputability, and perception of two distinct arenas of communication has led to the perpetuation of the deficit model of communication. This model is exceptionally limiting as it effectively removes the scientists from the public sphere and can have devastating societal repercussions. The dialogue model of communication is a much more effective communicative model for the modern setting but has been met with resistance in its adoption. As communication as a whole is grounded in multiple foundational disciplines of psychology, philosophy, linguistics, and other fields, it would be apparent that the adoption of the principles of polymathy would serve to better prepare scientists to engage in mass communication with the public. As polymathy is a lifelong pursuit, the implementation of narrative training into collegiate undergraduate science curriculum would serve as a particularly potent beginning. That is, narrative's ability to reach near-universal audiences, enhance the recall and comprehension of complex subject matter, and forge an empathetic connection essential to effective communication is uniquely suited in ensuring a more effective communicative dynamic between the scientific community and the general public. As such, this thesis serves to advocate the adoption of narrative-based communicative training into undergraduate science curriculum not as separate courses, but rather as direct incorporation. This would serve to both revitalize polymathy in the modern age and prepare the next generation of scientists to be better equipped for the public dialogue.
ContributorsCoker, Keaton M (Author) / Ramsey, Ramsey E. (Thesis director) / Wentzel, Bonnie (Committee member) / School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
Cosmic horror distinguishes itself from standard horror in large part because of the things that it finds horrifying. Cosmic horror, like any horror, attaches itself to external experience. Powerful technologies’ ability to reshape our perspective are the ideal choice for this anchor point. Beyond the Wall of Sound is a podcast that seeks to unify the existential dread and scientific imaginings inherent in cosmic horror and weird fiction, with dystopian visions of technological futures. The podcast uses the strange and horrifying mind of HP Lovecraft, as revealed through his short stories, to shed light on the horrifying, revealing and absurd imaginaries that drive and emerge unintentionally from current pursuits in science and technological innovation. In this essay, I describe the roots of horror and its relevance and therefore applicability to human experience. I then exemplarily relate the practical mode of thought that created one of the podcast’s episodes, which take’s Lovecraft’s The Thing on the Doorstep and the authors fears of the future as a lens to discuss and reflect upon the technology of body switching. The podcast is presented as an important piece of science communication in the face of increasing misinformation and a rolling technological wave. The project is affected by the strength of Lovecraft’s influences over time, and ultimately is itself a vehicle for and a deconstruction of that influence. Ultimately, the purpose of this podcast is not to horrify, but to inspire people to do good and remain educated despite the horrors of a pessimistic and uncaring existence.
ContributorsMillea, Paul (Author) / Maynard, Andrew (Thesis director) / Withycombe-Keeler, Lauren (Committee member) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / School for the Future of Innovation in Society (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Public education and involvement with evolutionary theory has long been limited by both the complexity of the subject and societal pushback. Furthermore, effective and engaging evolution education has become an elusive feat that often fails to reflect the types of questions that evolution research attempts to address. Here, we explore the best methods to present scientific research using interactive educational models to facilitate the learning experience of the audience most effectively. By creating artistic and game-play oriented models, it becomes possible to simplify the multifaceted aspects of evolution research such that it enables a larger, more inclusive, audience to better comprehend these complexities. In allowing the public to engage with highly interactive education materials, the full spectrum of the scientific process, from hypothesis construction to experimental testing, can be experienced and understood. Providing information about current cancer evolution research in a way that is easy to access and understand and accompanying it with an interactive model that reflects this information and reinforces learning shows that research platforms can be translated into interactive teaching tools that make understanding evolutionary theory more accessible.
ContributorsSilva, Yasmin (Author) / Maley, Carlo (Thesis director) / Compton, Zachary (Committee member) / Baciu, Cristina (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2022-05
Description
During uncertain situations such as a crisis or risk scenario, journalists experience challenges in filtering, verifying, and curating information and adapting to the new work conditions. Utilizing Sensemaking Theory, this qualitative study aims to understand how journalists construct reporting decisions on uncertain scientific topics, given the potential impact of these stories on the public’s understanding and acceptance of science. The study focuses on Kuwaiti journalists’ handling of science and health information during the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID‐19). The research adopts a narrative approach, conducting in-depth interviews with science reporters and managing editors from digital news outlets in Kuwait. Thematic analysis of the data indicates that journalists’ handling of COVID-19 uncertain science news was mainly influenced by interests, emotions, external pressures, personal stances, and organizational alignment rather than a thorough evaluation of claims. This suggests a lack of expertise and competence in effectively evaluating and interpreting science news.
The study identifies six primary sensemaking approaches used by science journalists and reveals the implicit connotations that underlie Kuwaiti journalists’ roles, which are heavily influenced by their professional, social, and cultural realities. The findings suggest that journalists’ perceptions of their surrounding environment, including their country’s level of scientific contribution, public interest in science, and the overall state of journalism, are important dimensions influencing their perception of their role. Additionally, the study adds to the body of research on gatekeeping by highlighting the influence of sensemaking on journalists’ resistance and compliance with a gate and how this may sometimes lead to overlooking a gate’s presence.
Moreover, the study contributes to understanding journalists’ news values and value prioritization during uncertain times. It emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between sensemaking and news values, where values serve as both selection and sensemaking devices. The findings also shed light on how journalists justify their control over uncertain information dissemination, using uncertainty, audience perception, and social responsibility to legitimize their actions and deflect criticism. The insights gained from this study have significant implications for journalistic practices, ethics, and responsibilities in the context of uncertainty and health crises.
ContributorsAlshehab, Ahmad Sh (Author) / Gilpin, Dawn (Thesis advisor) / Silcock, B. William (Committee member) / Thornton, Leslie-Jean (Committee member) / Ebrahim, Husain (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
Communications around sustainability have been found to be incongruent with eliciting the transformative change required to address global climate change and its' repercussions. Recent research has been exploring storytelling in sustainability, specifically with an emphasis on reflexive and emancipatory methods. These methods encourage embracing and contextualizing complexity and intend to target entire cognitive hierarchies. This study explores the possibility of using emancipatory and reflexive storytelling as a tool to change attitudes pertaining to the Valley Metro Light Rail, an example of a complex sustainability mitigation effort. I explore this in four steps: 1) Conducted a pre-survey to gauge preexisting attitudes and predispositions; 2) Provided a narrative that uses storytelling methodologies of reflexivity and emancipation through a story about the light rail; 3) Conducted a post-survey to gauge attitude shift resulting from the narrative intervention; 4) Facilitated a focus group discussion to examine impact qualitatively. These steps intended to provide an answer to the question: How does emancipatory and reflexive storytelling impact affective, cognitive and conative attitudes regarding local alternative transportation? By using tripartite attitude model, qualitative and quantitative analysis this paper determines that reflexive and emancipatory storytelling impacts attitudinal structures. The impact is marginal in the survey response, though the shift indicated a narrowing of participant responses towards one another, indicative of participants subscribing to emancipation and reflexivity of their held attitudes. From the group discussion, it was evident from qualitative responses that participants engaged in emancipating themselves from their held attitudes and reflected upon them. In doing so they engaged in collaboration to make suggestions and suggest actions to help those with experiences that differed from their own. Though this research doesn’t provide conclusive evidence, it opens the door for future research to assess these methodologies as a tool to elicit shared values, beliefs and norms, which are necessary for collective action leading to transformative change in response to global climate change.
ContributorsSwanson, Jake Ryan (Author) / Roseland, Mark (Thesis advisor) / Larson, Kelli (Committee member) / Calhoun, Craig (Committee member) / Schoon, Michael (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023