Deliberation of the Scientific Evidence for Breastfeeding: Online Comments as Social Representations

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This mixed-methods study examines online comments (The Atlantic online, N = 326; NYTimes.com, N = 596) generated by two widely read articles challenging the scientific basis for U.S. government breastfeeding recommendations. The analysis focuses on commenter evaluations of the scientific evidence for breastfeeding. Results demonstrate that commenters socially represented breastfeeding science as a means for manufacturing convenience and also as a process that is prone to flaws in its production and application. Online commenters discussed their personal experiences (42%) with breastfeeding more than its evidence base (16%). Personal and social experiences were used as filters to judge the merits of scientific arguments.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)778-801
Number of pages24
JournalScience Communication
Volume36
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 26 2014
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 SAGE Publications.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Keywords

  • breastfeeding
  • journalism
  • news
  • online comments
  • science
  • social representation

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