Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

This project investigated a hitherto neglected issue, namely how scientists, journalists and editors, respectively, view the production and coverage of news on nanotechnology. The study was based upon a content analysis of United Kingdom (UK) national newspaper coverage of nanotechnology between 1 April 2003 and 30 June 2004. This was supplemented by an email survey of journalists, editors and scientists, followed by in-depth interviews with a sub-sample of the above. By undertaking an analysis of the framing of nanotechnologies in the British newspaper press during this formative period, the study provides novel insights into how the initial terms of reference were established for much of the ensuing news coverage.

Main Topics:

The dataset includes the following files:NN1SPSSNews: content analysis of 18 UK-based newspapersNN3SPSSsciencequest: data from an email survey of UK-based scientists working in the nanotechnology field, covering expertise, attitudes to media coverage of nanotechnology, media contributions, futures of nanotechnology, and influence of the public and various groups on researchNN5SPSSjourquest: data from an email survey of UK-based journalists and editors, covering employment history, publications written for, information sources used on nanotechnology, likely impacts of and interest in nanotechnology and related research, dissemination of information to the public and responsibilities of journalists, and scientific communication

Purposive selection/case studies

Content analysis; email survey