A Mixed-Methods Study of Public Understanding of Scientific Uncertainty

Scientific uncertainty has long posed challenges for science communication and research. There is a need to better understand how non-expert publics conceptualize scientific uncertainty and how to reliably and validly measure public understanding of scientific uncertainty. We address this need using a mixed-methods approach. In Study 1 we conducted a series of focus groups to explore how non-expert publics conceptualize scientific uncertainty and identified three themes related to process, contexts, and impacts. In Study 2 we developed and validated a new 9-item survey scale to measure public understanding of scientific uncertainty (PUSU).