title: What's science? Where's science? Science journalism in German print media.
abstract: This article examines the current state of science coverage in German print media. It deals with the following questions: (1) how the main characteristics of science journalism can be described, (2) whether there is a difference between various scientific fields, and (3) how different definitions of science journalism lead to differing findings. Two forms of science coverage were analyzed in a standardized, two-part content analysis of German newspapers (N = 1730 and N = 1640). The results show a significant difference between a narrow and a broad definition of science journalism. In the classic understanding, science journalism is prompted by scientific events and is rather noncritical. Science coverage in a broad sense is defined by a wider range of journalistic styles, driven by non-scientific events, and with a focus on the statements of scientific experts. Furthermore, the study describes the specific role of the humanities and social sciences in German science coverage.
authors.affiliation: University of Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Summ
authors.affiliation: University of Münster, Germany amvolpers@uni-muenster.de.
authors.forename: Anna-Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Volpers
mesh_terms: D005858:Germany; D020452:Journalism; D008402:Mass Media; D012586:Science
keywords: content analysis; science coverage; science journalism; scientific disciplines