Podcasts and the interest by sciences

Abstract

This paper presents the results of research about the interest in sciences and the contribution of scientific dissemination podcasts to the development of this interest. The participants of this study are consumers of some podcasts and the data were obtained through online questionnaires using multiple choice questions and argumentative questions, created by the researchers, and publicized in the podcasts and in their websites and social networks by their producers. The data were analyzed under the guidance of the Discursive Textual Analysis and were based on an adaptation of the Four-Phase Model of Interest Development. From the data it was possible to identify: different levels of interest in sciences in the participants in the research; the relation between scientific dissemination podcasts and the development of interest in sciences; and features that make these podcasts attractive to the public. The analysis also shows that for many of the cases where the interest in sciences was more intense or profound, podcasts played an important role in the development of this interest, and in some cases, the participants report that important decisions, such as career or undergraduate studies, were influenced by the content of podcasts.