Understand the Presentation of Science Reporting and its Relationship with the Reporting Medium and Target Audience

Science in Different Media Formats

Mainstream news outlets often present science stories in a way that is accessible to general public. They simplify complex scientific concepts due to word count limits or to make the information understandable to non-scientific audience.
Science magazines and journals provide more detailed coverage. Since they are often targeted at science enthusiasts or field experts, they usually delve deeper into topics and contain more technical language.
Online science blogs and websites can offer an extensive coverage on scientific topics. These can range from highly technical to very basic, many allowing for interactive experiences or further research links.

Media-Based Adaptations

The language and terminology used in science reporting will vary based on the outlet. Mainstream news may use simpler language, while professional journals will employ more scientific terminology.
Visual aids like graphs, charts, and diagrams are often utilised to help explain complex scientific data. The complexity and detail of such aids will differ based on the medium and target audience.

Relationship with Reporting Medium and Target Audience

Different reporting mediums have different space/time restrictions and audience expectations, which will affect the depth of detail in the reporting.
Science reporting in television and radio often requires a much simplified explanation of scientific concepts due to time constraints and broad audience.
The intended audience will significantly influence the presentation: A technical audience will favour detailed analysis, whereas a non-technical audience will need science to be made more accessible.

Misrepresentation and Bias in Science Reporting

Scientific findings can sometimes be misinterpreted or misrepresented in the media, leading to public misunderstanding of the real implications of the research.
It’s important to assess the source of information. Look whether the information is from a reputable scientific journal, or whether it could be biassed due to commercial interests or sensationalism.
Headline bias is a common issue. Headlines often promise more than what the research indicated or they over-simplify the findings, thus they should not be taken at face value.

Remember the importance of critical thinking and evaluation when receiving scientific information: Consider the medium, the target audience, the source and any potential biases.