Why research on science communication needs more meta-analyses.

Authors

Niels G Mede, Mike S Schäfer, Elisa Tedaldi

Published in

Public understanding of science (Bristol, England). Pages 9636625261489946. Oct 09, 2026. Epub Oct 09, 2026.

Abstract

Research on science communication has expanded and diversified. Correspondingly, an increasing number of literature reviews, handbooks, and bibliometric studies have taken stock of the field's accumulated knowledge. However, it is still difficult to identify robust, consolidated answers to key questions on science communication-answers that may help scholars, practitioners, and decision-makers. Meta-analyses-the statistical aggregation of empirical results across multiple studies to determine average effect sizes-can provide some of those answers, complementing existing knowledge syntheses and addressing their shortcomings. Yet, meta-analyses in research on science communication are rare, whereas other disciplines are much closer to establishing a culture of meta-analyses and demonstrate the usefulness of meta-analyses for specific aspects of science communication research within and beyond our discipline. We therefore propose a meta-analytical research agenda of science communication scholarship and argue that it will increase the impact of our field in the social sciences and society.

PMID:
42852659
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 09 Oct 2026.

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