Q&A: How and why Pew Research Center studied Black Americans’ views of science
A new survey, along with a related series of focus groups, shows the many nuanced views Black Americans hold about science.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
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When Americans think about science, what do they have in mind?
65% of U.S. adults say science has had a mostly positive effect on society; 28% say it has had an equal mix of positive and negative effects.
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Americans’ Trust in Scientists, Other Groups Declines
Trust in scientists and medical scientists has fallen below pre-pandemic levels, with 29% of U.S. adults saying they have a great deal of confidence in medical scientists to act in the best interests of the public. This is down from 40% in November 2020 and 35% in January 2019, before COVID-19 emerged. Other prominent groups – including the military, police officers and public school principals – have also seen their ratings decline.
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Increasing Public Criticism, Confusion Over COVID-19 Response in U.S.
Americans are increasingly critical of the response to COVID-19 from elected officeholders and public health officials. Positive ratings of public health officials, such as those at the CDC, have fallen 10 points since August. And 60% of U.S. adults say they’ve felt confused as a result of changes to recommendations on how to slow the spread of COVID-19.
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Trust in America: In the age of COVID-19, do Americans trust science?
Public confidence in scientists has increased during the pandemic, though not among all Americans. We discuss the impact of trust on views of COVID-19 vaccines.
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Biotechnology Research Viewed With Caution Globally, but Most Support Gene Editing for Babies To Treat Disease
Majorities say scientific research on gene editing is a misuse – rather than an appropriate use – of technology. But public acceptance of gene editing for babies depends on how it will be used, and views often differ by age and religion.
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Intent to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine Rises to 60% as Confidence in Research and Development Process Increases
Still about two-in-ten U.S. adults are “pretty certain” they won’t get the vaccine – even when there’s more information.
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Science and Scientists Held in High Esteem Across Global Publics
Majorities across 20 publics say government investments in scientific research are worthwhile and express a lot or some confidence in scientists to do what is right for the public.
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U.S. Public Now Divided Over Whether To Get COVID-19 Vaccine
There are widely held concerns about the safety and effectiveness of a possible vaccine and the pace of the approval process.
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Black Americans have less confidence in scientists to act in the public interest
There’s a 14-point gap between the shares of White and Black adults in the U.S. who say they have a great deal of confidence in scientists.
