Scientific investigation is not very useful unless the results are communicated to the research community and the general public.

Scientists communicating with other scientists - Scientists communicate with each other about their research in many ways -- by attending scientific conferences and publishing in scientific journals -- these are two of the most important means of communication in world of research.

Scientific conferences - Scientists gather at conferences to find out the latest and to ask questions at presentations. Conferences give scientists a chance to talk and debate with their peers in person. It also lets presenters of new findings to receive feedback from a broad range of interested people. Scientists generally like to have a good debate before accepting new information. Graduate and undergraduate students may attend conferences as well -- to learn what's new, present the results of their own work, or to become familiar with this communication process. Representatives from media may appear at these meetings to get the scoop on what's new too.

Scientific journals - Scientists write down their findings and document their work in articles published in scientific journals. Before an article gets printed, it is usually reviewed by a panel of peers to ensure that the methods, observations and conclusions seem valid. This means that experts in your field give it the once over. Once the information is accepted for publication, it is published and the information is available to others around the world through library holdings and individual subscriptions to journals. You too can find out exactly what a scientist found out by going to a library.

The World Wide Web is also becoming an important and valuable communication tool. Many libraries make some published materials available on-line. Increasingly, when a scientist wants to read a journal article, they don't need to make a photocopy at the library. Instead, subscriptions and library memberships allow for printing and storage of an article directly onto scientist's personal computer.

Scientists communicating with the public - The Ocean Institute provides education to the general public and to students of all ages through exhibits and programs. We play a key role in communicating science. We work with scientists to make their knowledge understandable to people who are not experts. We help kids learn how scientists do their work. We also make related information easier to find, for instance, by making this website available to you. Instead of looking for articles in university libraries, you can visit us at Dana Point or on-line!

At the Ocean Institute
In activities are the Ocean Institute, students present their findings to their peers near the end of a Sea Floor Explorer overnight program, just like working scientists.