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NSF PR 00-45 (NSB 00-131) - June 19, 2000
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Newest Survey Shows Most Americans Have Confidence
in Science, But Lack Understanding
Science & Engineering Indicators 2000 reports new data
A 1999 survey on the public's understanding of science
shows that while Americans' confidence and interest
in science and technology is very high, their understanding
of basic science facts and principles remains quite
low.
The results of the survey are published in the National
Science Board's (NSB) biennial report to the President
for Congress on the state of U.S. science, engineering
and technology, Science & Engineering Indicators
2000. The survey results show a slight improvement
in public understanding of certain scientific principles
over the last two decades. However, the improvement
has been paralleled by a widespread belief in pseudosciences
such as astrology, alien abductions and extrasensory
perception.
The vast majority of Americans say that science and
technology are making their lives better, and describe
their general reaction to science and technology with
words like "hope" and "wonder." In contrast, only
17 percent of respondents to the National Science
Foundation-supported survey for S&E Indicators
described themselves as well informed about new scientific
discoveries and the use of new inventions and technologies.
Thirty percent said they were poorly informed.
Answering a series of 20 questions designed to test
basic knowledge, only 50 percent of Americans know
how long it takes Earth to circle the sun, and most
still can't correctly describe in their own words
some basic scientific terms, including molecules,
the Internet, and DNA, marking little improvement
over surveys conducted in 1995 and 1997.
The scientific process isn't well understood either.
Only 21 percent of those surveyed were able to explain
what it means to study something scientifically, just
over half understood probability, and only a third
knew how an experiment is conducted.
Most of what Americans know about science comes from
television and newspapers, the report says, citing
widespread consensus among scientists and journalists
that important information about science and technology
is not reaching the public. It also cites several
surveys that show belief in the pseudoscience is commonplace
in the U.S. and traces this belief to the entertainment
industry.
"Americans in the next decade will be asked to make
important decisions that will involve highly technical
issues such as genetically engineered crops and the
preservation of biodiversity," says NSF director Rita
Colwell. "To understand these issues, the public must
be better informed about basic science and engineering,
as well as the scientific process."
Even if they don't understand it, Americans respect
science. In 1999 a record 82 percent voiced support
for federal funding of basic research. While 14 percent
thought the government was spending too much on research,
37 percent said not enough, the report says. Americans
consistently believe that the benefits of scientific
research outweigh any harmful results. Public confidence
in the medical and scientific communities, the report
points out, is higher than in other American institutions,
including education, the Supreme Court, television,
and the media.
See also:
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