Understanding the Managerial Logic Used by the Iranian Public Science Magazines for the Production of Content

This paper will attempt to discover how public science magazines in Iran use a managerial logic in order to produce their projected content. Production of knowledge in this area will contribute to understanding why and how specific type of content is being produced in science magazines in Iran. In order to acquire such knowledge the paper will focus on how a language is being used as a tool of simplifying science. In addition, the paper will explore the type of logical relations which have been established between application of language capabilities in such magazines and the managerial logic that run such magazines. The importance of this research lies in the fact that these magazines have been around for about 100 years, while the management of transmitting their scientific messages has not yet been researched on. In order to do this research we have used a combined methodology that consists of content analysis, direct interviews and survey. The units of observations or subjects of study included individuals who are considered to make up such magazines’ audience, as well as randomly selected magazines. Due to the fact that when we started the research we figured out that a thorough list of Iranian science magazines did not exist, therefore, we first had to provide such list. Afterwards and according to such list as one of our units of analysis, we were able to determine how to do random sampling.   Some findings indicate that science magazines in Iran have been using a simplified language accompanied by making science attractive to their audience while interacting with their audience as strategies of building up their audience. Other findings indicate that the managerial logic that leads the content has been focusing on the dichotomy of culture and information as major function of their content. Based on our interviews and survey results, we however discovered that focusing on business and education would probably be a more effective strategy to organize the content of science magazines in Iran

Assessing the awareness level of library and information science students of Allameh Tabatabai University about scientific communication

Purpose: The present study assesses the level of awareness of library and information science students of Allameh Tabatabai University about scientific communication.Method: The study was conducted using a survey-descriptive method. The research community consisted of 70 postgraduate library and information science students studying at Allameh Tabatabai University. The research tool was a researcher-designed questionnaire. Results: Data analysis showed that in general, students were moderately familiar with examples of formal and informal scientific communication. Also, they were aware of individual and environmental factors affecting such communication. The highest level of awareness of library and information science students about individual factors affecting scientific communication related to the method of establishing personal communication, adherence to ethical principles in communication, the existence of cultural differences among people and scientific communities inside and outside the country, and the appearance and openness of the country. In addition, students used these tools in different ways while familiarizing themselves with various channels and tools for scientific communication. They were most aware of scientific communication tools and channels related to face-to-face communication, mobile phones, Telegram, and WhatsApp.Conclusion: Postgraduate library and information science students at Allameh Tabatabai University were aware of scientific communication. However, due to the nature of the field, postgraduate students should try to create a rich scientific relationship with researchers and prominent people in various scientific fields while becoming more familiar with the concept of scientific communication

On the essence and necessity of public understanding of science

This article discusses public understanding of science and the need for its increase and expansion as a function of public communication of science. In this study popularization of science is presented as a means for increasing Public Understanding of Science (PUS). In this article we argue that institutionalization for public communication of science is an urgent need for increasing PUS and we provide characteristics of the institute or system of science popularization for connecting the science community and the public sphere. Our study offers the reasons of science popularization and increasing of PUS with regard to the level of the development and the type of political system of societies. Also, this article explains how popularizing of science and production of popular science can lead to the formation of interdisciplinary sciences, relation between various scientific disciplines and university-industry connections. On the other hand, popular science introduces opportunities of engagement in the scientific societies and hence increases the social capital between Iranian elite