{"id":10328,"date":"2019-08-19T11:05:35","date_gmt":"2019-08-19T16:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/%year%\/%monthnum%\/%day%\/most-americans-have-positive-image-of-research-scientists-but-fewer-see-them-as-good-communicators\/"},"modified":"2024-04-14T01:17:59","modified_gmt":"2024-04-14T06:17:59","slug":"most-americans-have-positive-image-of-research-scientists-but-fewer-see-them-as-good-communicators","status":"publish","type":"short-read","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2019\/08\/19\/most-americans-have-positive-image-of-research-scientists-but-fewer-see-them-as-good-communicators\/","title":{"rendered":"Most Americans have positive image of research scientists, but fewer see them as good communicators"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What comes to mind when people think of research scientists?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Studies have explored the idea that stereotypes of scientists \u2013 like the less-than-warm image of men in white lab coats \u2013 could <a href=\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0216625#sec008\">undermine public trust<\/a> in them or result in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/speaking-of-science\/wp\/2018\/03\/20\/only-3-in-10-children-asked-to-draw-a-scientist-drew-a-woman-but-thats-more-than-ever\/\">deterring diverse groups<\/a> from pursuing education and jobs in science.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2019\/08\/19\/most-americans-have-positive-image-of-research-scientists-but-fewer-see-them-as-good-communicators\/ft_19-08-19_imageresearchscientists_majorities-see-scientists-intelligent-focused-solving-real-world-problems\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d6dbe1\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d6dbe1;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"620\" height=\"1047\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" class=\"wp-image-19429 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImageResearchScientists_Majorities-see-scientists-intelligent-focused-solving-real-world-problems.png\" alt=\"Majorities of Americans see scientists as intelligent, focused on solving real-world problems\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImageResearchScientists_Majorities-see-scientists-intelligent-focused-solving-real-world-problems.png 620w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImageResearchScientists_Majorities-see-scientists-intelligent-focused-solving-real-world-problems.png?resize=178,300 178w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImageResearchScientists_Majorities-see-scientists-intelligent-focused-solving-real-world-problems.png?resize=606,1024 606w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2019\/08\/02\/trust-and-mistrust-in-americans-views-of-scientific-experts\/\">Pew Research Center survey<\/a> presented Americans with a list of five desirable and five not-so-desirable qualities and asked whether each describes research scientists well. We found that large majorities see an array of positive qualities in scientists.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">About nine-in-ten (89%) of those surveyed think of research scientists as intelligent. Three-quarters (75%) see scientists as focused on solving real-world problems. Similar shares say they consider scientists to be skilled at working in teams (72%) or honest (71%).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scientists fared less well when Americans were asked if they considered them to be good communicators \u2013 a smaller majority (54%) described them this way.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Less than half the public considers each of five potential negative characteristics to fit their image of research scientists. The most common of these are \u201cfeel superior to others\u201d and \u201csocially awkward\u201d (43% each say these describe research scientists well).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><!--more--><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2019\/08\/19\/most-americans-have-positive-image-of-research-scientists-but-fewer-see-them-as-good-communicators\/ft_19-08-19_imageresearchscientists_democrats-more-likely-republicans-positive-qualities-scientists_2\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f1f1f1\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f1f1f1;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"620\" height=\"1281\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" class=\"wp-image-19436 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImageResearchScientists_Democrats-more-likely-Republicans-positive-qualities-scientists_2.png\" alt=\"Democrats more likely than Republicans to see positive qualities in scientists\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImageResearchScientists_Democrats-more-likely-Republicans-positive-qualities-scientists_2.png 620w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImageResearchScientists_Democrats-more-likely-Republicans-positive-qualities-scientists_2.png?resize=145,300 145w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImageResearchScientists_Democrats-more-likely-Republicans-positive-qualities-scientists_2.png?resize=496,1024 496w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Roughly one-third of the public (32%) says research scientists \u201cdon\u2019t pay attention to the moral values of society.\u201d A similar share (29%) sees research scientists as \u201ccold,\u201d and 26% say scientists are \u201cclose-minded.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the whole, Democrats see scientists in a more favorable light than do Republicans. For example, Democrats and independents who lean Democratic are more inclined than their Republican and Republican-leaning counterparts to consider research scientists honest (78% vs. 64%) or focused on solving real-world problems (80% of Democrats vs. 69% of Republicans). But overwhelming majorities of both groups consider research scientists to be intelligent (90% and 89%, respectively).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the flip side, Republicans are more likely than Democrats to attribute negative characteristics to research scientists. For example, half of Republicans and independents who lean Republican (51%) say research scientists \u201cfeel superior to others,\u201d compared with 38% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2019\/08\/19\/most-americans-have-positive-image-of-research-scientists-but-fewer-see-them-as-good-communicators\/ft_19-08-19_imageresearchscientists_americans-high-science-knowledge-see-scientists-more-positive-light\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f1f1f1\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f1f1f1;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"620\" height=\"1312\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" class=\"wp-image-19427 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImageResearchScientists_Americans-high-science-knowledge-see-scientists-more-positive-light.png\" alt=\"Americans with high science knowledge see scientists in a more positive light\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImageResearchScientists_Americans-high-science-knowledge-see-scientists-more-positive-light.png 620w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImageResearchScientists_Americans-high-science-knowledge-see-scientists-more-positive-light.png?resize=142,300 142w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImageResearchScientists_Americans-high-science-knowledge-see-scientists-more-positive-light.png?resize=484,1024 484w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And four-in-ten Republicans say research scientists \u201cdon\u2019t pay attention to the moral values of society,\u201d compared with 26% of Democrats.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How much people know about science also tends to color their image of research scientists. Those with high levels of factual knowledge about science, <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2019\/03\/28\/what-americans-know-about-science\/\">based on an 11-item index<\/a>, are more likely than those with low science knowledge to say scientists exemplify four of the five positive qualities considered.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But people with high science knowledge are more critical of research scientists when it comes to communication skills. About half of those with high science knowledge (47%) say research scientists are good communicators, compared with 62% of those with low science knowledge.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Note: <\/em><em>See <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImageResearchScientists_Topline.pdf\">topline results<\/a> for full question wording and the <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2019\/08\/02\/trust-in-scientists-methodology\/\"><em>Methodology<\/em><\/a><em>\u00a0section of the main report for more information on the index of science knowledge<\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>About nine-in-ten Americans see research scientists as intelligent, while a smaller majority describe them as good communicators. 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Read","post_parent":0,"word_count":451,"canonical_url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2019\/08\/19\/most-americans-have-positive-image-of-research-scientists-but-fewer-see-them-as-good-communicators\/","art_direction":{"A1":{"id":19445,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImagesScientists_feature1.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImagesScientists_feature1.png?w=564&h=317&crop=1","width":564,"height":317,"chartArt":false},"A2":{"id":19445,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImagesScientists_feature1.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImagesScientists_feature1.png?w=268&h=151&crop=1","width":268,"height":151,"chartArt":false},"A3":{"id":19445,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImagesScientists_feature1.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImagesScientists_feature1.png?w=194&h=110&crop=1","width":194,"height":110,"chartArt":false},"A4":{"id":19445,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImagesScientists_feature1.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImagesScientists_feature1.png?w=268&h=151&crop=1","width":268,"height":151,"chartArt":false},"XL":{"id":19445,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImagesScientists_feature1.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImagesScientists_feature1.png?w=720&h=405&crop=1","width":720,"height":405,"chartArt":false},"social":{"id":19445,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImagesScientists_feature1.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/FT_19.08.19_ImagesScientists_feature1.png?w=1200&h=628&crop=1","width":1200,"height":628,"chartArt":false}},"_embeds":[],"table_of_contents":[],"datacite_doi":"","prc_seo_data":{"title":"More 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