title: Measuring the perceived uncertainty of scientific evidence and its relationship to engagement with science.
abstract: Many scholars have argued for the need to communicate openly not only scientific successes to the public but also limitations, such as the tentativeness of research findings, in order to enhance public trust and engagement. Yet, it has not been quantitatively assessed how the perception of scientific uncertainties relates to engagement with science on an individual level. In this article, we report the development and testing of a new questionnaire in English and German measuring the perceived uncertainty of scientific evidence. Results indicate that the scale is reliable and valid in both language versions and that its two subscales are differentially related to measures of engagement: Science-friendly attitudes were positively related only to 'subjectively' perceived uncertainty, whereas interest in science as well as behavioural engagement actions and intentions were largely uncorrelated. We conclude that perceiving scientific knowledge to be uncertain is only weakly, but positively related to engagement with science.
authors: University of Koblenz-Landau, Germany retzbachj@uni-landau.de.
authors: Joachim
authors: J
authors: Retzbach
authors: University of Koblenz-Landau, Germany.
authors: Lukas
authors: L
authors: Otto
authors: University of Koblenz-Landau, Germany.
authors: Michaela
authors: M
authors: Maier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011639:Public Opinion; D012586:Science / Q000379:methods*; D035501:Uncertainty; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: public engagement with science; public understanding of science; scientific evidence; scientific uncertainty