Scientific popularization and desinformation: reflections from public perceptions of science

Abstract

Objective: It discuss the scientific popularization from what is evidenced in the Article 19 report and in the public perceptions of Science and Technology highlighted in the studies of the Centro de GestãoEstratégica and the Wellcome Trust. It intends to understand how popularizing science can mitigate the situations visualized in the aforementioned studies, especially when it comes to disinformation and the health crisis caused by Covid-19.

Methods: It uses bibliographic and documental research, of exploratory level and qualitative approach, and for the data analysis the content analysis. It makes use of the reports The Global Expression Report 2020, by Article 19, Wellcome Global Monitor 2018, by the Wellcome Trust, and Public Perception of S&T in Brazil – 2019, by the Centro de GestãoEstratégica.

Results: It identifies the relationships between knowledge about science, socioeconomic conditions and internet access, as well as between communication and trust in science. About disinformation, they realize that it can have its effects diminished from the dissemination of the results of studies, especially by putting under the scrutiny of the appropriation of information from the actions of scientific popularization.

Conclusions: Scientific popularization can be a significant instrument in combating disinformation and by promoting the appropriation of scientific information by the general population, it helps social development. It is interpreted that preparing the cognizant subjects is the most effective way to control false and harmful information to social coexistence, especially in the context of Covid-19.