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Project

VideT: Fragility and credibility of scientific knowledge

WorkgroupKnowledge Construction Lab
Duration07/2021–06/2024
FundingFederal Ministry of Education and Research
Project description

Scientific findings are becoming increasingly important. However, it is often difficult for many people to interpret and understand these findings. This is also due to the fact that the scientific process of knowledge gain has received little attention so far. Therefore, the aim of the VideT project is to develop a video-based transfer tool in order to communicate the empirical scientific research process to the public and test it in student laboratories.


Scientific findings provide an important contribution to knowledge development. However, it is often difficult for the public to interpret and understand these findings correctly. One reason for this is that there is little public knowledge about the scientific process of knowledge gain. The interdisciplinary joint project ”VideT: Communicating the research process – a video-based transfer instrument for school students” therefore aims to develop a video-based transfer instrument for communicating empirical scientific research processes and to test it prototypically in school laboratories with students. The content of the transfer instrument is based on findings about the ecology of bats and the effects of human activities on these animals. In addition to testing the instrument in schools and student laboratories, the accompanying scientific research will analyze parameters that determine and influence the success of the transfer. Expertise from the natural and social sciences as well as educational science will be integrated in this project.
The sub-project “Fragility and credibility of scientific knowledge” of the IWM develops and evaluates the video-based transfer tool with regard to the perception of the fragility of scientific knowledge and the credibility of the researchers and the science transfer. To this end, the effects of the format of the transfer instrument (receptive vs. constructive format) are examined in more detail. In addition, the effects of the presented focus of the research (only results vs. results and scientific process) and the presentation of the researchers (as knowing vs. seeking researchers) will be tested. These studies will be conducted in student laboratories with school students and in controlled laboratory studies with university students. Finally, the effects of the transfer instrument will be analyzed in terms of its transfer success.

Cooperations
  • Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) in Berlin

  • Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN) in Kiel

  • Ruhr University Bochum (RUB)

  • Leibniz University Hannover (LUH)