5 key findings about public trust in scientists in the U.S.
Americans have broadly positive views of scientists and their work but are more tepid when it comes to trusting their competence, credibility and concern for the public interest.
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Americans have broadly positive views of scientists and their work but are more tepid when it comes to trusting their competence, credibility and concern for the public interest.
Public confidence in scientists is on the upswing, and six-in-ten Americans say scientists should play an active role in policy debates about scientific issues, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.
This report is made possible by The Pew Charitable Trusts. This report is a collaborative effort based on the input and analysis of the following individuals. Find related reports online at: pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/science. Primary research team Cary Funk, Director, Science and Society Research Brian Kennedy, Research Associate Meg Hefferon, Research Assistant Mark Strauss, Writer/Editor Isadora Milanez, […]
This report is made possible by The Pew Charitable Trusts. This report is a collaborative effort based on the input and analysis of the following individuals. Find related reports online at: pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/science. Primary research team Cary Funk, Director, Science and Society Research Brian Kennedy, Research Associate Meg Hefferon, Research Assistant Mark Strauss, Writer/Editor Isadora Milanez, […]
America’s confidence in the scientific community appears to be relatively strong. But the degree of public trust in scientists across climate, food and medical issues varies, and many express moderate rather than strongly positive views.
Overall, 36% of Americans get science news at least a few times a week and three-in-ten actively seek it. Most get science news from general news outlets, but more see specialty sources as being accurate.
As public debates continue over a range of science-related topics, including climate change and the safety of eating genetically modified (GM) foods, Americans are largely skeptical about the degree to which scientists understand these two issues, whether there is scientific consensus on them, and the influences on scientists’ research. Recent Pew Research Center studies have […]
Divides in public opinion over food are encapsulated by how people assess the health effects of two kinds of food: organic and genetically modified foods.
This report was made possible by The Pew Charitable Trusts. It is a collaborative effort based on the input and analysis of the following individuals: Primary researchers Lee Rainie, Director, Internet, Science and Technology Research Cary Funk, Associate Director, Research Meg Hefferon, Research Assistant Brian Kennedy, Research Associate Research team Courtney Kennedy, Director, Survey Research […]
Beyond demographic differences, there is also an association between personality traits and interest in science and technology topics. In particular, Americans with a tendency to be open to new experiences, regardless of other characteristics, tend to express more interest in science and technology topics. There is a long history of attention to personality differences in […]
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ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.
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