Understanding scientific tentativeness through bat ecology
A video-based study to promote scientific literacy in wildlife research
Abstract
This study investigates how different video-based representations of scientific practice and a scientist’s thought processes influence public perceptions of credibility – both of the scientist and the research – as well as perceived tentativeness of scientific findings and academic self-efficacy. In an experimental online study with a German general population sample (N = 1,105), four videos depicting bat ecology fieldwork were tested. The videos varied in two factors: representation of scientific practices (cookbook style vs. scientific reasoning style) and portrayal of the scientist’s thought processes (science-in-the-making vs. ready-made science). Bat ecology, characterized by nocturnal behavior, complex habitats, and conservation challenges, provides a compelling context for examining the communication of uncertainty. Results show that more elaborate representations – particularly those reflecting scientific reasoning and science-in-the-making—led to higher perceptions of tentativeness. These findings underscore the importance of transparently communicating the epistemic processes of scientific knowledge construction to foster scientific literacy.
Details
- Organisation(s)
-
Institute of Education
- External Organisation(s)
-
Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien (IWM)
IPN - Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education at Kiel University
Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) in the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V.
Ruhr-University Bochum
University of Tübingen
- Type
- Article
- Journal
- Human Dimensions of Wildlife
- ISSN
- 1087-1209
- Publication date
- 17.06.2026
- Publication status
- E-pub ahead of print
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Nature and Landscape Conservation, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
- Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 4 - Quality Education, SDG 15 - Life on Land
- Electronic version(s)
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https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2026.2689133 (Access:
Open
)
