The contribution of scientists to popular literature, their role as expert witnesses and their influence among peers: A case study in the field of acid rain

"The study examined scientists' contribution to the popular literature published during 1972 to 1987 in the field of acid rain and found that 4.7% (102) of the total population (2,177) of scientists engaged in acid rain research contributed 8.7% (59 items) to the total 677 items in popular magazines, and only.0013% (one item) to the total 747 items from major newspapers. Of these 102 scientists, 19 have testified before Congressional hearings on acid rain issues while the other 83 have not. Defining the scientists who have testimony as ""influential scientists"", and those who did not testify as ""noninfluential scientists"", the study compared the mean number of popular items contributed by each group. Statistical tests supported the research hypothesis that influential scientists contributed a greater number of popular items than the noninfluential scientists. From the population of scientists engaged in acid rain research, the probability of an influential scientist contributing to the popular literature was 4.9 times the probability of a noninfluential scientist doing so."

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Library and Information Science

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Abdullah, Szarina Bt

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lancaster, F.W.
• Auld, Lawrence W.S.
• Smith, Linda C.
• Dalrymple, Prudence W.

• Library Science
• Education, Sciences
• Information Science
• Environmental Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1989 Abdullah, Szarina Bt

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI8924750
(UMI)AAI8924750

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/22707