Considering what works: experiments in science communication

Experiments with Kemeny ranking: What works when?

This paper performs a comparison of several methods for Kemeny rank aggregation (104 algorithms and combinations thereof in total) originating in social choice theory, machine learning, and theoretical computer science, with the goal of establishing the best trade-offs between search time and performance. We find that, for this theoretically NP-hard task, in practice the problems span three reg...

What Works in the Field? Evaluating Informal Science Events

Around the world, increasing numbers of people are attending informal science events, often ones that are part of multi-event festivals that cross cultural boundaries. For the researchers who take part, and the organizers, evaluating the events’ success, value, and effectiveness is hugely important. However, the use of traditional evaluation methods such as paper surveys and formal structured i...

What works, and what really works.

In recent development discourse, much has been debated and written about evidence-based actions, defined as: ‘the application of the best available systematically assembled evidence in setting policy and practice’. Nutrition is clearly not exempt from justifying itself, and it is important that Public Health Nutrition has addressed this in recent issues. Much of our knowledge of ‘what works’ de...

Assessing what to address in science communication.

As members of a democratic society, individuals face complex decisions about whether to support climate change mitigation, vaccinations, genetically modified food, nanotechnology, geoengineering, and so on. To inform people's decisions and public debate, scientific experts at government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and other organizations aim to provide understandable and scientific...

What Works Well Tells Us What Works Better