This article reports on the current public opinion on various aspects of scientists and their role in society based on a survey conducted. Here are some key findigs:
- Overall trust: The median level of confidence for experts to advise policymakers is now at 47%, representing the lowest in recorded history.
- Concerns over expertise and influence: More Americans believe that scientific institutions should play more of a role in guiding policymaking, but those same experts are considered less influential than in the past.
- Misconceptions about science and its methods: Approximately half of respondents recognize facts as being only for scientists' professional use, while nearly as many (49%) say scientific decisions are influenced by biases common to other people. 4. Trust in certain domains but not others: Public trust varies depending on the topic area and demographic group; some groups tend to have much more faith in scientific institutions than others due to differences such as gender, income bracket, or geographic location.
A summary of public attitudes toward specific aspects of science might be:
- Scientific policy: 51% want experts involved in policymaking decisions
- Influence on policymakers: approximately 41%
- Expert involvement in shaping policy 42% say they have the right amount of influence, and another 22% say there is an excessive or inadequate amount.
- Importance in shaping public policy: 60 percent believe that scientists should play a role; this number decreased to 48 in the survey after two years into a COVID pandemic.