ABSTRACT Communication scholars have conflicting views on the relationship between exposure to science news and knowledge, and its subsequent influence on attitudes. Such mixed sentiments could arise from the vague definition of knowledge. Therefore, this paper explicates science knowledge into factual knowledge and subjective knowledge. It also compares the mediating roles of both types of knowledge between news attention and public support for science and technology (S&T). A survey of 967 Singaporeans showed that news attention was positively related to both factual and subjective knowledge. The findings revealed a stronger relationship between subjective knowledge and news attention than factual knowledge and news attention. Additionally, factual knowledge was positively related to public support for S&T, but subjective knowledge was negatively related to public support for S&T. The contrasting directions of these associations demonstrate that factual and subjective knowledge are two distinct dimensions of knowledge. Practically, the findings can inform policymakers and communication practitioners about effective public education and engagement initiatives. This study also provided guidelines for newsmakers in news reporting about S&T.

中文翻译：

---

解释事实和主观科学知识：知识作为新闻关注度和态度的中介

摘要 传播学者对接触科学新闻和知识之间的关系及其对态度的后续影响存在不同的看法。这种混合情绪可能源于对知识的模糊定义。因此，本文将科学知识解释为事实知识和主观知识。它还比较了两种知识在新闻关注和公众对科学技术 (S&T) 的支持之间的中介作用。一项对 967 名新加坡人的调查表明，新闻关注度与事实知识和主观知识均呈正相关。研究结果揭示了主观知识和新闻关注之间的关系比事实知识和新闻关注更强。此外，事实知识与公众对科技的支持呈正相关，但主观知识与公众对科技的支持呈负相关。这些关联的对比方向表明，事实知识和主观知识是知识的两个不同维度。实际上，调查结果可以让决策者和传播从业者了解有效的公共教育和参与举措。这项研究还为新闻工作者提供了有关科学技术的新闻报道的指导方针。