Introduction. Scientific Ethos: Authority, Authorship, and Trust in the Sciences

Blinded with science: Trivial graphs and formulas increase ad persuasiveness and belief in product efficacy

“…The believability of information that appears to have a scientific basis partly emanates from the ethos of science (Segal and Richardson, 2003). For Aristotle, Ethos referred to the persuasion emanating from the character of the source of communication (Aristotle, 1926;Segal and Richardson, 2003).…”

“…The believability of information that appears to have a scientific basis partly emanates from the ethos of science (Segal and Richardson, 2003). For Aristotle, Ethos referred to the persuasion emanating from the character of the source of communication (Aristotle, 1926;Segal and Richardson, 2003). It encompasses (1) practical wisdom, intelligence, or expertise; (2) virtue or moral character; and (3) good will (Constantinides, 2001;Prelli, 1989).…”

“…In cases where people cannot assess claims' veracity, they are forced to rely on the character of the speaker (Prelli, 1989). The ethos of science, given the current prestige scientists hold, can in those cases serve as a basis for belief (Segal and Richardson, 2003). If a claim appears to be scientific, scientific credibility can be conferred on it by the perceived character of science as a conveyor of truth.…”

“…In its sociological usage, scientific ethos refers to the social norms of the scientific community (Merton, 1942;Prelli, 1989;Segal and Richardson, 2003). These norms can attest to the character of science, and confer credibility on what is perceived to be scientific.…”

Neither Journalist nor Scientist: The Challenge of Science-Funded “Science Communications”

“…Work in science studies has established both the topoi of general scientific ethos, the boundary issues and problems of credibility that occur when experts disagree or when scientists take on advocacy positions. (Gross, 2006;Harris, 1997;Prelli, 1989;Collins & Evans, 2007;Segal & Richardson, 2003) However, how indicators of ethos differ by communicative discipline and the repercussion for those science communications that exist on the nexus of those disciplines has not been investigated. Nailing down exact phrasal indicators of ethos is a judgment call, however some inferences can be determined based on adherence to the norms and values of each discipline.…”