{"id":10075,"date":"2020-02-12T10:00:12","date_gmt":"2020-02-12T15:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/%year%\/%monthnum%\/%day%\/key-findings-about-americans-confidence-in-science-and-their-views-on-scientists-role-in-society\/"},"modified":"2024-04-13T23:45:32","modified_gmt":"2024-04-14T04:45:32","slug":"key-findings-about-americans-confidence-in-science-and-their-views-on-scientists-role-in-society","status":"publish","type":"short-read","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2020\/02\/12\/key-findings-about-americans-confidence-in-science-and-their-views-on-scientists-role-in-society\/","title":{"rendered":"Key findings about Americans\u2019 confidence in science and their views on scientists\u2019 role in society"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-358278\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/FT_20.02.12_ScienceRoundup_featured.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-358278\" \/><figcaption>(KTSDESIGN\/Science Photo Library)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Science issues \u2013 whether connected with climate, childhood vaccines or new techniques in biotechnology \u2013 are part of the fabric of civic life, raising a range of social, ethical and policy issues for the citizenry. As members of the scientific community gather at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) this week, here is a roundup of key takeaways from our studies of U.S. public opinion about science issues and their effect on society. If you&#8217;re on Twitter, follow @pewscience for more science findings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible--to-convert\"><\/p>\n<h1>How we did this<\/h1>\n<p>The data for this post was drawn from multiple different surveys. The most recent was a survey of 3,627 U.S. adults conducted Oct. 1 to Oct. 13, 2019. This post also draws on data from surveys conducted in January 2019, December 2018, April-May 2018 and March 2016. All surveys were conducted using the American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of being selected. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, education and other categories. Read more about the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/methods\/u-s-survey-research\/american-trends-panel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ATP\u2019s methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Following are the questions and responses for surveys used in this post, as well as each survey\u2019s methodology:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>October 2019 survey: <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/FT_20.01.07_MMRVaccine_W55_topline_and_methods_1-2-20_for_release.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Questions<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/FT_20.01.07_MMRVaccine_W55_topline_and_methods_1-2-20_for_release.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Methodology<\/a><\/li>\n<li>January 2019 survey: <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/08\/PS_08.02.19_trust.in_.scientists_Topline.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Questions<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2019\/08\/02\/trust-in-scientists-methodology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Methodology<\/a><\/li>\n<li>December 2018 survey: <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/03\/US-2050_topline-FINAL.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Questions<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2019\/03\/21\/methodology-america-in-2050\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Methodology<\/a><\/li>\n<li>April-May 2018 survey: <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2018\/07\/PS_2018.07.26_gene-editing_TOPLINE.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Questions<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2018\/07\/26\/gene-editing-for-babies-methodology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Methodology<\/a><\/li>\n<li>March 2016 survey: <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2016\/07\/PS_2016.07.26_Human-Enhancement-Survey_TOPLINE.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Questions<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2016\/07\/26\/human-enhancement-survey-report-methodology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Methodology<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2020\/02\/12\/key-findings-about-americans-confidence-in-science-and-their-views-on-scientists-role-in-society\/ft_2020-02-12_aaasroundup_01-png\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18256 noopener\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d8dce1\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d8dce1;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_01.png?resize=480,584 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_01.png?resize=782,951 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_01.png?resize=840,1022 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"511\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_01.png?w=420\" alt=\"Americans with more education, family income say measles vaccine benefits are high, risk is low\" class=\"wp-image-18256 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>[bignumber]Some public divides over science issues are aligned with partisanship, while many others are not. <\/strong>Science issues can be a key battleground for facts and information in society. Climate science has been part of an ongoing discourse around scientific evidence, how to attribute average temperature increases in the Earth\u2019s climate system, and the kinds of policy actions needed. While public divides over <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2019\/11\/25\/u-s-public-views-on-climate-and-energy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">climate and energy issues<\/a> are often aligned with political party affiliation, public attitudes on other science-related issues are not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, there are differences in public beliefs around the risks and benefits of childhood vaccines. Such differences arise amid civic debates about the spread of false information about vaccines. While such beliefs have important implications for public health, they are not particularly political in nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact, Republicans and independents who lean to the GOP are just as likely as Democrats and independents who lean to the Democratic Party to say that, overall, the benefits of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine outweigh the risks (89% and 88% respectively).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-310-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2020\/02\/12\/key-findings-about-americans-confidence-in-science-and-their-views-on-scientists-role-in-society\/ft_2020-02-12_aaasroundup_02-png\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18250 noopener\"><img data-dominant-color=\"dadddd\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #dadddd;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_02.png?resize=480,972 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_02.png?resize=620,1256 620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"628\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_02.png?w=310\" alt=\"Emerging science and technology issues often elicit mixed reactions\" class=\"wp-image-18250 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>[bignumber]Americans have differing views about some emerging scientific and technological developments. <\/strong>Scientific and technological developments are a key source of innovation and, therefore, change in society. Pew Research Center studies have explored public reactions to emergent developments from genetic engineering techniques, automation and more. One field at the forefront of public reaction is the use of gene editing of babies or genetic engineering of animals. Americans have mixed views over whether the use of gene editing to reduce a baby\u2019s risk of serious disease that could occur over their lifetime is appropriate (60%) or is taking medical technology too far (38%), <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2018\/07\/26\/public-views-of-gene-editing-for-babies-depend-on-how-it-would-be-used\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">according to a 2018 survey<\/a>. Similarly, about six-in-ten Americans (57%) said that <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2018\/08\/16\/most-americans-accept-genetic-engineering-of-animals-that-benefits-human-health-but-many-oppose-other-uses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">genetic engineering of animals<\/a> to grow organs or tissues for humans needing a transplant would be appropriate, while four-in-ten (41%) said it would be taking technology too far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When we asked Americans about a future where a brain chip implant would give otherwise healthy individuals much improved cognitive abilities, a 69% majority said they were very or somewhat worried about the possibility. By contrast, about half as many (34%) were enthusiastic. Further, as people think about the effects of <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2019\/03\/21\/the-future-of-work-in-the-automated-workplace\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">automation technologies<\/a> in the workplace, more say automation has brought more harm than help to American workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One theme running through our findings on emerging science and technology is that public hesitancy often is tied to concern about the loss of human control, especially if such developments would be at odds with personal, religious and ethical values. In looking across seven developments related to automation and the potential use of biomedical interventions to \u201cenhance\u201d human abilities, Center studies found that proposals that <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.scientificamerican.com\/observations\/what-worries-people-about-future-science-and-tech-innovations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">would increase peoples\u2019 control<\/a> over these technologies were met with greater acceptance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-310-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2020\/02\/12\/key-findings-about-americans-confidence-in-science-and-their-views-on-scientists-role-in-society\/ft_2020-02-12_aaasroundup_03-png\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18246 noopener\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d2d8de\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d2d8de;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_03.png?resize=480,797 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_03.png?resize=620,1030 620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"515\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_03.png?w=310\" alt=\"Majority of Americans say science has a mostly positive impact on society\" class=\"wp-image-18246 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>[bignumber]Most in the U.S. see net benefits from science for society, and they expect more ahead. <\/strong>About three-quarters of Americans (73%) say science has, on balance, had a mostly positive effect on society. And 82% <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2019\/08\/27\/most-americans-say-science-has-brought-benefits-to-society-and-expect-more-to-come\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">expect future scientific developments<\/a> to yield benefits for society in years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The overall portrait is one of strong public support for the benefits of science to society, though the degree to which Americans embrace this idea differs sizably by race and ethnicity as well as by levels of science knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Such findings are in line with those of the General Social Survey on the effects of scientific research. In 2018, about three-quarters of Americans (74%) said the benefits of scientific research outweigh any harmful results. Support for scientific research by this measure has been roughly stable since the 1980s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2020\/02\/12\/key-findings-about-americans-confidence-in-science-and-their-views-on-scientists-role-in-society\/ft_2020-02-12_aaasroundup_04-png\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18236 noopener\"><img data-dominant-color=\"dee3e5\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #dee3e5;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_04.png?resize=480,694 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_04.png?resize=782,1130 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_04.png?resize=840,1214 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"607\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_04.png?w=420\" alt=\"Americans\u2019 confidence that scientists act in the public interest is up since 2016\" class=\"wp-image-18236 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>[bignumber]The share of Americans with confidence in scientists to act in the public interest has increased since 2016.<\/strong> Public confidence in scientists to act in the public interest tilts positive and has increased over the past few years. As of 2019, 35% of Americans report a great deal of confidence in scientists to act in the public interest, up from 21% in 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">About half of the public (51%) reports a \u201cfair amount\u201d of confidence in scientists, and just 13% have not too much or no confidence in this group to act in the public interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Public trust in scientists by this measure stands in contrast to that for other groups and institutions. One of the hallmarks of the current times has been <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/politics\/2019\/04\/11\/public-trust-in-government-1958-2019\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">low trust in government<\/a> and other institutions. One-in-ten or fewer say they have a great deal of confidence in elected officials (4%) or the news media (9%) to act in the public interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-310-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2020\/02\/12\/key-findings-about-americans-confidence-in-science-and-their-views-on-scientists-role-in-society\/ft_2020-02-12_aaasroundup_05-png\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18230 noopener\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d6dede\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d6dede;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_05.png?resize=480,509 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_05.png?resize=620,658 620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"329\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_05.png?w=310\" alt=\"Six-in-ten in U.S. say scientists should take an active role in policy debates\" class=\"wp-image-18230 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>[bignumber]Americans differ over the role and value of scientific experts in policy matters. <\/strong>While confidence in scientists overall tilts positive, people\u2019s perspectives about the role and value of scientific experts on policy issues tends to vary. Six-in-ten U.S. adults believe that scientists should take an active role in policy debates about scientific issues, while about four-in-ten (39%) say, instead, that scientists should focus on establishing sound scientific facts and stay out of such debates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Democrats are more inclined than Republicans to think scientists should have an active role in science policy matters. Indeed, most Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents (73%) hold this position, compared with 43% of Republicans and GOP leaners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-310-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2020\/02\/12\/key-findings-about-americans-confidence-in-science-and-their-views-on-scientists-role-in-society\/ft_2020-02-12_aaasroundup_06-png\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18223 noopener\"><img data-dominant-color=\"dbdddf\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #dbdddf;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_06.png?resize=480,485 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_06.png?resize=620,626 620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"313\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_06.png?w=310\" alt=\"More Democrats than Republicans say scientific experts make better science-related policy decisions\" class=\"wp-image-18223 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More than four-in-ten U.S. adults (45%) say that scientific experts usually make better policy decisions than other people, while a similar share (48%) says such decisions are neither better nor worse than other people\u2019s and 7% say scientific experts\u2019 decisions are usually worse than other people\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here, too, Democrats tend to hold scientific experts in higher esteem than do Republicans: 54% of Democrats say scientists\u2019 policy decisions are usually better than those of other people, while two-thirds of Republicans (66%) say that scientists\u2019 decisions are either no different from or worse than other people\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>[bignumber]Factual knowledge alone does not explain public confidence in the scientific method to produce sound conclusions. <\/strong>Overall, a 63% majority of Americans say the scientific method generally produces sound conclusions, while 35% think it can be used to produce \u201cany result a researcher wants.\u201d People\u2019s level of knowledge can influence beliefs about these matters, but it does so through the lens of partisanship, a tendency known as motivated reasoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beliefs about this matter illustrate that science knowledge levels <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.scientificamerican.com\/observations\/how-much-the-public-knows-about-science-and-why-it-matters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">sometimes correlate<\/a> with public attitudes. But partisanship has a stronger role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2020\/02\/12\/key-findings-about-americans-confidence-in-science-and-their-views-on-scientists-role-in-society\/ft_2020-02-12_aaasroundup_07-png\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18218 noopener\"><img data-dominant-color=\"dedcde\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #dedcde;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_07.png?resize=480,486 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_07.png?resize=782,791 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_07.png?resize=840,850 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"425\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_07.png?w=420\" alt=\"Democrats with high science knowledge have more confidence in the scientific method\" class=\"wp-image-18218 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Democrats are more likely to express confidence in the scientific method to produce accurate conclusions than do Republicans, on average. Most Democrats with high levels of science knowledge (86%, based on an <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2019\/03\/28\/what-americans-know-about-science\/\">11-item index<\/a> of factual knowledge questions) say the scientific method generally produces accurate conclusions. By comparison, 52% of Democrats with low science knowledge say this. But science knowledge has little bearing on Republicans\u2019 beliefs about the scientific method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>[bignumber]Trust in practitioners like medical doctors and dietitians is stronger than that for researchers in these fields, but skepticism about scientific integrity is widespread. <\/strong>Scientists work in a wide array of fields and specialties. A <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2019\/08\/02\/trust-and-mistrust-in-americans-views-of-scientific-experts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2019 Pew Research Center survey<\/a> found public trust in medical doctors and dietitians to be higher than that for researchers working in these areas. For example, 48% of U.S. adults say that medical doctors give fair and accurate information all or most of the time. By comparison, 32% of U.S. adults say the same about medical research scientists. And six-in-ten Americans say dietitians care about their patients\u2019 best interests all or most of the time, while about half as many (29%) say this about nutrition research scientists with the same frequency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One factor in public trust of scientists is <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2019\/08\/02\/americans-often-trust-practitioners-more-than-researchers-but-are-skeptical-about-scientific-integrity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">familiarity<\/a> with their work. For example, people who were more familiar with what medical science researchers do were more trusting of these researchers to express care or concern for the public interest, to do their job with competence and to provide fair and accurate information. Familiarity with the work of scientists was related to trust for all six specialties we studied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But when it comes to questions of scientists\u2019 transparency and accountability, most Americans are skeptical. About two-in-ten or fewer U.S. adults say that scientists are transparent about potential conflicts of interest with industry groups all or most of the time. Similar shares (roughly between one-in-ten and two-in-ten) say that scientists admit their mistakes and take responsibility for them all or most of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This data shows clearly that when it comes to questions of transparency and accountability, most in the general public are attuned to the potential for self-serving interests to skew science findings and recommendations. These findings echo calls for increased transparency and accountability across many sectors and industries today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-640-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2020\/02\/12\/key-findings-about-americans-confidence-in-science-and-their-views-on-scientists-role-in-society\/ft_2020-02-12_aaasroundup_08-png\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18212 noopener\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e6eaed\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e6eaed;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_08.png?resize=480,335 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_08.png?resize=782,546 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_08.png?resize=960,671 960w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_08.png?resize=1200,838 1200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_08.png?resize=1280,894 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"447\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_08.png?w=640\" alt=\"Trust in medical doctors and dietitians is higher than for researchers in these areas\" class=\"wp-image-18212 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2020\/02\/12\/key-findings-about-americans-confidence-in-science-and-their-views-on-scientists-role-in-society\/ft_2020-02-12_aaasroundup_09-png\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18209 noopener\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e6e8e8\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e6e8e8;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_09.png?resize=480,350 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_09.png?resize=782,570 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_09.png?resize=840,612 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"306\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/ft_2020.02.12_AAASroundup_09.png?w=420\" alt=\"Majority of Americans say they are more apt to trust research when the data is openly available\" class=\"wp-image-18209 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>[bignumber]What boosts public trust in scientific research findings? Most say it\u2019s making data openly available. <\/strong>A 57% majority of Americans say they trust scientific research findings more when the data is openly available to the public. And about half of the U.S. public (52%) say they are more likely to trust research that has been independently reviewed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The question of who funds the research is also consequential for how people think about scientific research. A 58% majority say they have lower trust when research is funded by an industry group. By comparison, about half of Americans (48%) say government funding for research has <em>no particular effect<\/em> on how much they trust the findings; 28% say this decreases their trust and 23% say it increases their trust.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here is a roundup of key takeaways from our studies of U.S. public opinion about science issues and their effect on 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