本研究檢視科學家與記者等兩個專業社群在對新聞媒體功能、科學新聞製作與呈現，以及彼此互動的看法。經問卷調查1,046位科學家以及67位記者，以及共6位深度訪談後有以下發現：第一，記者比科學家更認同新聞的正功能；第二，科學家更認為科學新聞戲劇化且過度簡化，以及產生誤解；第三，在互動時上雙方最大的差異顯現在記者不同意刊登前先給科學家過目。正確性對記者來說不見得重要，但正確性對科學家卻是最重要的原則。此外，記者認為科學家應更瞭解新聞媒體。
This study examines the perceptions of the two professional community's of scientists and journalists towards (1) the functions of journalism in general; (2) methods of science reporting; and (3) expectations concerning interactions between journalists and scientists. Exploratory surveys on 1,046 scientists and 67 reporters, and six in-depth interviews were conducted. In general, the scientists and journalists surveyed agreed on most of the positive functions of news media although journalists tended to be even more positive. Scientists in general felt science news was too superficial, overly dramatic, and easily caused misunderstanding. When asked about their interaction, journalists were less likely than scientists to agree to allow scientists they have interviewed to check copy before publication. Scientists agreed more than journalists that science news should place a high emphasis on accuracy. It is suggested that scientists need to know more about the news media in order to facilitate more effective communication with journalists and the public.
