Results of regression analysis.

This paper investigates the relationship between scientists’ communication experience and attitudes towards misinformation and their intention to correct misinformation. Specifically, the study focuses on two correction strategies: source-based correction and relational approaches. Source-based approaches combatting misinformation prioritize sharing accurate information from trustworthy sources to encourage audiences to trust reliable information over false information. On the other hand, relational approaches give priority to developing relationships or promoting dialogue as a means of addressing misinformation. In this study, we surveyed 416 scientists from U.S. land-grant universities using a self-report questionnaire. We find that scientists’ engagement in science communication activities is positively related to their intention to correct misinformation using both strategies. Moreover, the scientists’ attitude towards misinformation mediates the relationship between engagement in communication activities and intention to correct misinformation. The study also finds that the deficit model perception–that is, the assumption that scientists only need to transmit scientific knowledge to an ignorant public in order to increase understanding and support for science–moderates the indirect effect of engagement in science communication activities on behavioral intention to correct misinformation using relational strategies through attitude towards misinformation. Thus, the deficit model perception is a barrier to engaging in relational strategies to correct misinformation. We suggest that addressing the deficit model perception and providing science communication training that promotes inclusive worldviews and relational approaches would increase scientists’ behavioral intentions to address misinformation. The study concludes that scientists should recognize their dual positionality as scientists and members of their community and engage in respectful conversations with community members about science.

本研究探讨了科学家的传播经验、对错误信息的态度，与其纠正错误信息的意图三者之间的关系。具体而言，本研究聚焦于两类纠正策略：基于信源的纠正策略与关系型方法。针对错误信息的基于信源的纠正策略，优先共享来自可信信源的准确信息，以引导受众信任可靠信息而非虚假信息；而关系型方法则优先通过建立关系或推动对话来应对错误信息。本研究采用自陈式问卷，对美国赠地大学的416名科学家开展了调查。研究发现，科学家参与科学传播活动的程度，与他们采用上述两类策略纠正错误信息的意图呈正相关。此外，科学家对错误信息的态度在传播参与度与纠正错误信息意图之间发挥中介作用。本研究还发现，缺失模型认知（deficit model perception）——即认为科学家仅需向无知公众传播科学知识，即可提升公众对科学的理解与支持的观点——可调节科学传播参与度通过对错误信息的态度，对采用关系型策略纠正错误信息的行为意图产生的间接效应。因此，缺失模型认知会成为科学家采用关系型策略纠正错误信息的阻碍。本研究建议，通过纠正缺失模型认知，并开展能够培养包容性世界观与推广关系型方法的科学传播培训，可提升科学家应对错误信息的行为意图。本研究最后指出，科学家应认清自身作为科学家与社区成员的双重身份，并与社区成员就科学问题开展富有尊重的对话。