Public attitudes to science
What do New Zealanders think of science? In 2002, 2005 and 2010 MoRST carried out research to try to find out what public attitudes to science are, and how they are changing.
In 2010 MoRST commissioned Nielsen to do two types of research. The first research was a survey following up on similar surveys done in 2002 and 2005.
Key findings:
- Attitudes are generally similar to what the 2002 and 2005 surveys showed.
- The areas of science that are seen as being the most beneficial to humanity have remained relatively consistent, with the three leading areas being 'new medical techniques and treatment, 'improving quality of our agriculture and horticulture', and 'new forms of energy for transport'. In 2010 there has been a notable increase in the percentage of people who see communication technologies as beneficial.
- There has been a decline in the proportion of the public agreeing that 'science is important in my daily life'.
- There is a drop in the percentage who agree that 'the government should fund scientific research even if we can’t be sure of the economic benefits'.
- There has been a rise in agreement that there should be tight controls on what scientists are allowed to do from 2005 to 2010, with the percentage of the public who agree with this returning to 2002 levels.
- Most people agree that 'scientists have to explain and justify their research to the general public', but a greater proportion now indicate they only moderately agree, rather than strongly agree.
- Scientists who work in industry or the public sector remain the most trustworthy sources of information for scientific issues. However, the trustworthiness of the internet is growing.
- In terms of internet sites that the general public trust, educational sites are the most trustworthy and consumer-generated sites the least trustworthy.
The full report on the results of the survey can be read here.
Seeking a better understanding
Further research on the attitudes of 'mainstream' New Zealanders to science was carried out using six focus groups. The objectives were to better understand:
- the origins of attitudes towards science and technology
- specific attitudes and perceptions of science and technology
- the role of science in 'Mainstreamers' daily lives
- how to better communicate science.
Key findings include:
- science is seen to contribute to ‘everything’, but is largely hidden and lacks relevance in daily life
- Mainstreamers enjoy discussing science-based topics, but generally feel divorced from and somewhat challenged by ‘real’ science
- Mainstreamers trust the ‘pure’ end of science, but the connection is distant and vague
- this distance and a perceived lack of expertise mean Mainstreamers feel powerless and lacking the capability to evaluate pure research science
- Mainstreamers are more sceptical of commercialised science and technology, where business interests can override public good
- Mainstreamers are often more familiar with commercialised science and technology (such as pills and cellphones) and more comfortable holding opinions on it
- disconnection from 'pure' science begins in secondary school, when Mainstreamers start to see science as academic and disconnected from daily life
- interest in science can be maintained through topics of interest, which can be created in childhood (e.g. the stars) or develop later in life as they are seen to become more relevant (e.g. cancer treatments)
- Mainstreamers generally do not expect to be consulted or actively involved in science decision making, but there is an implied expectation of dialogue between science and the general public, and that science remains in sync with public culture and morals
- however they were willing for scientists to stretch and challenge these values for the greater good'
- the science 'brand' has lost its appeal to Mainstreamers
- the communications challenge is for science to enter the mainstream world, and not expect the mainstream to enter the world of science. This means Mainstreamers should:
- have 'entry points' - such as topics of interest, especially in more accessible applied science
- feel they are welcome to re-enter a science world
- see some reason or benefit in the engagement - the science should be relevant
- there is an important role for strong personalities in communicating science
- science needs to look at ways to foster and grow early childhood interest in science
- farmers are an example of where Mainstreamers are interested in science, which is directly relevant to their daily lives
More information about the conclusions drawn from this research is here.
The research also informed an article on public attitudes and outreach initiatives by Dr Rosemary Hipkins, a chief researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, written for the New Zealand Science Review. This can be read here.