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Defining and Measuring Scientific Misinformation

Publication ,  Journal Article
Southwell, BG; Brennen, JSB; Paquin, R; Boudewyns, V; Zeng, J
Published in: Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
March 1, 2022

We define scientific misinformation as publicly available information that is misleading or deceptive relative to the best available scientific evidence and that runs contrary to statements by actors or institutions who adhere to scientific principles. Scientific misinformation violates the supposition that claims should be based on scientific evidence and relevant expertise. As such, misinformation is observable and measurable, but research on scientific misinformation to date has often missed opportunities to clearly articulate units of analysis, to consult with experts, and to look beyond convenient sources of misinformation such as social media content. We outline the ways in which scientific misinformation can be thought of as a disorder of public science, identify its specific types and the ways in which it can be measured, and argue that researchers and public actors should do more to connect measurements of misinformation with measurements of effect.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science

DOI

EISSN

1552-3349

ISSN

0002-7162

Publication Date

March 1, 2022

Volume

700

Issue

1

Start / End Page

98 / 111

Related Subject Headings

  • General Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
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Southwell, B. G., Brennen, J. S. B., Paquin, R., Boudewyns, V., & Zeng, J. (2022). Defining and Measuring Scientific Misinformation. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 700(1), 98–111. https://doi.org/10.1177/00027162221084709
Southwell, B. G., J. S. B. Brennen, R. Paquin, V. Boudewyns, and J. Zeng. “Defining and Measuring Scientific Misinformation.” Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 700, no. 1 (March 1, 2022): 98–111. https://doi.org/10.1177/00027162221084709.
Southwell BG, Brennen JSB, Paquin R, Boudewyns V, Zeng J. Defining and Measuring Scientific Misinformation. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. 2022 Mar 1;700(1):98–111.
Southwell, B. G., et al. “Defining and Measuring Scientific Misinformation.” Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, vol. 700, no. 1, Mar. 2022, pp. 98–111. Scopus, doi:10.1177/00027162221084709.
Southwell BG, Brennen JSB, Paquin R, Boudewyns V, Zeng J. Defining and Measuring Scientific Misinformation. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. 2022 Mar 1;700(1):98–111.
Journal cover image

Published In

Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science

DOI

EISSN

1552-3349

ISSN

0002-7162

Publication Date

March 1, 2022

Volume

700

Issue

1

Start / End Page

98 / 111

Related Subject Headings

  • General Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences