The effect of discursive and non-discursive factors on the understanding and aesthetic appreciation of scientific texts

Abstract

In this dissertation, through a literature search, two experimental studies and three articles, I explored the effect that the discursive and non-discursive variables have on the understanding and appreciation of science texts by undergraduates with social and science backgrounds. The results suggest that both discursive and non-discursive elements affect the understanding of scientific texts. In the social sciences, a greater emphasis is given to textual markers of “objectivity” to achieve understanding. In the sciences, these markers are not necessarily needed to achieve the perception of understanding. However, in the case of non-discursive elements of texts, modifications that made the text more approachable (e.g., simpler format) allowed the study participants to achieve a greater perception of understanding. A differential effect appeared on the measures of understanding used in the study. These differences could point out differences between levels of expertise and skills that could lead to a greater depth of processing in some participants.