SIPI, a New York-based nonprofit group that works to improve public understanding of science, defined a science section as at least 1½ pages of news on science or health that appears in a clearly marked space the same day each week. Unfortunately, such sections are costly to produce, noted Sheryl Burpee, SIPI's director of research, and at least one of the 66 sections has folded since the survey was completed. Burpee said the rising number indicates a belief among editors that the public wishes to read about science, and officials at papers with established science pages say the sections have earned the loyalty of readers.
Whether these readers are getting more complete coverage of science news, however, is not clear. "It depends on who you talk to," said Burpee. "Some editors are really enthusiastic about the sections and say they've improved science coverage overall." But critics argue that the sections ...
