Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on scientific communication: A review

Abstract

Objective. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on scientific communication was analyzed. Design/Methodology/Approach. A literature review was conducted based on studies indexed in the Scopus, Web of Science, Proquest, and Pubmed databases. The temporal coverage was from 2020 to 2024. Descriptors and keywords related to the topic in question, as well as inclusion and exclusion crite-ria, were used to select the relevant literature. Results/Discussion. The COVID-19 crisis revealed the vulnerability of the scientific system, especially the development of preprints, fake studies, and retractions. All this exacerbated misinformation and undermined public confidence. The proliferation of fake news and conspiracy theories complicated the task of scientists and policymakers to report effectively. Conclusions. Despite these challenges, science communication gained relevance with the increased use of digital platforms and social networks for faster and wider dissemination, reflecting a growing public demand for transparency and accuracy in the information disseminated.