Communication, Relationships, and Relatability Influence Stakeholder Perceptions of Credible Science

• Published in: Fisheries 2019-04, Vol.44 (4), p.164-171
• Main Authors: Runnebaum, Jocelyn M., Maxwell, Elisabeth A., Stoll, Joshua S., Pianka, Karen E., Oppenheim, Noah G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic sciences; Communication; Credibility; Design; Marine resources; Peer review; Scientists; Stakeholders
• ISSN: 0363-2415; 1548-8446; 1548-8675
• DOI: 10.1002/fsh.10214

At a time when society appears mistrustful of science, it is critical to understand how scientific credibility is evaluated. Scientists often view the peer review process as establishing the credibility of their science, operating under the assumption that sound design and rigorous analysis stand alone. However, scientific knowledge is sometimes rejected by the very stakeholder groups that it is intended to serve. To understand how fisheries stakeholders assess scientific credibility, marine resource stakeholders from Maine were asked to discuss perceptions of credible science. Text analysis of six small group conversations revealed that stakeholders evaluate credibility based on communication style, relationships, and relatability. These attributes are self‐reinforcing and are influenced by transparency. We present examples of how efforts to promote transparency and trust can be incorporated into scientists’ stakeholder engagement strategies and propose that researchers consider these commitments within their respective fields before they design and implement scientific projects, so they may be assigned greater credibility outside of the scientific community.