Methodological innovation in science communication with older adults

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62701/revsocial.v14.5564

Keywords:

Communication, Science communication, Science monologue, Older adults, Perception, Active ageing, Social appropriation of knowledge, Citizen participation, Methodological innovation

Abstract

The article presents a methodological innovation in science communication aimed at older adults, based on the project La Tercera Ciencia. It proposes the integration of scientific monologues with social research techniques (questionnaires and focus groups) within a single participatory event. This approach enables the simultaneous dissemination of knowledge and the
analysis of its understanding, evaluation, and appropriation by senior audiences. The findings show that, when language, format, and content are appropriately adapted, older adults actively engage and demonstrate a high level of interest in science. The model stands out as an inclusive and transferable practice that promotes active ageing and the right to knowledge.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Global Statistics ℹ️

Cumulative totals since publication
18
Views
14
Downloads
32
Total

References

Abades, M., y Rayón, E. (2012). El envejecimiento en España: ¿un reto o problema social? Gerokomos, 23(4), 151–155. https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1134-928X2012000400002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4321/S1134-928X2012000400002

Acocella, I. (2012) The focus groups in social research: advantages and disadvantages. Qual Quant, 46, 1125–1136. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-011-9600-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-011-9600-4

Brondi, S., Pellegrini, G., Guráň, P., Fero, M., & Rubin, A. (2021). Dimensions of trust in different forms of science communication: The role of information sources and channels used to acquire science knowledge. Journal of Science Communication, 20(03). https://doi.org/10.22323/2.20030208 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22323/2.20030208

Brookfield, K., Tilley, S., & Cox, M. (2016). Informal Science Learning for Older Adults. Science Communication, 38(5), 655-665. https://doi.org/10.1177/1075547016655358 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1075547016655358

Brossard, D. (2013). New media landscapes and the science information consumer. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(3), 14096–14101. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1212744110 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1212744110

Bucchi, M., & Trench, B. (Eds.). (2021). Routledge Handbook of Public Communication of Science and Technology. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003039242 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003039242

Fernandez, A. O., y Puca, S. (2021). Estereotipos y miradas de los Adultos Mayores en los medios de comunicación. Revista Compromiso Social, 1(5), 83–88. https://doi.org/10.5377/recoso.v3i5.13035 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5377/recoso.v3i5.13035

Fernández-Marcial, V., y Gómez-Camarero, C. (2024) Divulgación científica en materia de salud para la tercera edad: deficiencias y desafíos. Revista Fontes Documentais, 6, 122-123. https://periodicos.ufba.br/index.php/RFD/article/view/60238

Ghiso, A. (2011). Sistematización. Un pensar el hacer, que se resiste a perder su autonomía. Revista Decisio, 28, 47-54. https://revistas.utm.edu.ec/index.php/Rehuso/article/view/1886

Hernández-Sampieri, R., y Mendoza, C. P. (2018). Metodología de la investigación: las rutas cuantitativa, cualitativa y mixta. McGraw-Hill.

International Organization for Standardization. (2023). Plain language—Part 1: Governing principles and guidelines. ISO.

Jara, O. (2018). La sistematización de experiencias: práctica y teoría para otros mundos posibles. Fundación Centro Internacional de Educación y Desarrollo Humano - CINDE.

Lastre, K. S., Consuegra, E. L., & Suárez, D. (2023). Pérdida auditiva relacionada con la edad (ARHL) y el procesamiento lingüístico en un grupo de adultos mayores colombianos. Revista Virtual Universidad Católica Del Norte, (68), 120–139. https://doi.org/10.35575/rvucn.n68a6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.35575/rvucn.n68a6

Martínez-Heredia, N., González-Gijón,G., Ortega-Martín, J.L., y Corral-Robles, S. (2024). El impacto de la era digital en el aprendizaje del inglés en adultos mayores. European Public & Social Innovation Review, 9, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2024-478 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2024-478

Molina, E. (2023). Guía para una Comunicación Libre de Edadismo hacia las Personas Mayores. Fundación HelpAge International España.

Miqueli, B., y Reiné, Y. (2024). Metodologia para o tratamento do discurso científico-acadêmico a partir do proceso de ensino-aprendizagem em carreiras pedagógicas. Revista Brasileira De Educação Do Campo, 9. https://doi.org/10.70860/ufnt.rbec.e18471 DOI: https://doi.org/10.70860/ufnt.rbec.e18471

Organización Mundial de la Salud [OMS] (2020). Década de Envejecimiento Saludable 2020-2030. https://short.do/1nR_55

Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura [UNESCO] (2020). El enfoque de Aprendizaje a lo Largo de Toda la Vida. Implicaciones para la política educativa en América Latina y el Caribe. París. https://short.do/eqPjua

Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura [UNESCO] (2025). Hacia las sociedades del conocimiento: informe mundial de la UNESCO. https://short.do/arwtqM

Oxilia, M. (2022). Los médicos y el lenguaje. Dermatología argentina. 28(2), 53-54 https://doi.org/10.47196/da.v28i2.2355 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47196/da.v28i2.2355

Padgaonkar, S., & Schafer, E. (2021). Science with seniors: a model program for senior citizen-centered STEM outreach. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 25(2), 111-122.

Sánchez-Mora, M. D. C., y Macías-Nestor, A. P. (2024). El papel preventivo de la divulgación de la ciencia para poblaciones vulnerables ante amenazas ambientales, JCOMAL 7(01), N01. https://doi.org/10.22323/3.07010801 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22323/3.07010801

Soler, M., y Petreñas, C. (2012). Diálogos entre personas mayores y ciencia. The Journal of Deliberative Mechanisms in Science, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.4471/demesci.2012.03

Tümen, S., & Ahmed, K.H. (2021). An Overview of qualitative research and focus group discussion. International Journal of Academic Research in Education, 7(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.17985/ijare.866762 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17985/ijare.866762

Williams, K., Kemper, S., & Hummert, M. L. (2004). Enhancing communication with older adults: Overcoming elderspeak. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 30(10), 22-29. https://doi.org/10.3928/0098-9134-20041001-08 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3928/0098-9134-20041001-08

Downloads

Published

01-07-2026

How to Cite

Roca Marín, D., Coleff, A., & González García, R. (2026). Methodological innovation in science communication with older adults. SOCIAL REVIEW. International Social Sciences Review Revista Internacional De Ciencias Sociales, 14(1), 177–188. https://doi.org/10.62701/revsocial.v14.5564

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Research articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Delfina Roca Marín, Amir Coleff, Rocío González García

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Those authors who publish in this journal accept the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright.

  2. Authors transfer to the journal the right of first publication. The journal also owns the publishing rights.

  3. All published contents are governed by an Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
    Access the informative version and legal text of the license. By virtue of this, third parties are allowed to use what is published as long as they mention the authorship of the work and the first publication in this journal. If you transform the material, you may not distribute the modified work.

  4. Authors may make other independent and additional contractual arrangements for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the article published in this journal (e.g., inclusion in an institutional repository or publication in a book) as long as they clearly indicate that the work was first published in this journal.

  5. Authors are allowed and recommended to publish their work on the Internet (for example on institutional and personal websites), following the publication of, and referencing the journal, as this could lead to constructive exchanges and a more extensive and quick circulation of published works (see The Effect of Open Access).