Credibility aspects of research-based gaming in science communication. : The case of The Maladaptation Game

• While previous studies have found games and gaming to be a new andinnovative communication strategy to inform the public and citizens aboutscientific research and engage them with it, this article addresses theunder-researched question of credibility aspects in research-basedgaming. The study analyses agricultural stakeholders’ discussions on thecredibility of scientific descriptions in The Maladaptation Game — a gamebased on research on climate change maladaptation in Nordic agriculture.The analysis of focus group transcripts and frame credibility finds thatplayers attribute credibility to 1) the perceived correspondence betweengame-articulated information on climate change, suggested adaptationactions and their potential maladaptive outcome, 2) the perceived “fit”between these elements and players’ experiences, and 3) the informationsources underpinning the game. Lastly, the article discusses the role ofresearch-based games in science communication and advocates the needfor careful balance between models of conceptual and scientific thinking ingame design and everyday experiences among players.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Medie- och kommunikationsvetenskap -- Kommunikationsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Media and Communications -- Communication Studies (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Klimatforskning (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Climate Research (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Environmental communication; Public perception of science and technology

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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