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Study Highlights Gap Between Views of Scientists and the Public

ZeroSerenity was one of many to write with news of a survey from the Pew Research Center which sought to find out how Americans feel about science and contrast that with the opinions of actual scientists. The study showed that "nearly 9 in 10 scientists accept the idea of evolution by natural selection, but just a third of the public does. And while 84% of scientists say the Earth is getting warmer because of human activity, less than half of the public agrees with that." 27% of the respondents said that the advances of the US in science are its greatest achievement, down from 44% ten years ago. The study is lengthy, and it contains many more interesting tidbits. For example: scientists decry the level of media coverage given to science, and they also think research funding has too much influence on study results. 32% of scientists identify themselves as Independent, while 55% say they're Democrats and 6% say they're Republicans.

3 of 670 comments (clear)

  1. Re:55% say they are Democrats of those surveyed by Shivetya · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Please note, its not that 55% are Democrats... its 55% of those surveyed.

    and anyone with half a brain knows that you can skew a survey simply by sampling where you know you will get the results you want.

    --
    * Winners compare their achievements to their goals, losers compare theirs to that of others.
  2. Re:55% say they are Democrats by abigor · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Let's see, who should I believe regarding climate change/warming:

    1. A massive consensus of the world's climate scientists, or

    2. "Hubbell", a Slashdot user with a uid in the 800,000s, no less.

    Boy, tough one.

  3. Re:Depressing... by cpricejones · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Religion is the quest to explain that which is not. Paths may be varied, but there is only one set of facts. When the two contradict, it's clear that falling back on religion is a failure. Those cultures which have most successfully embraced science have always been most successful, a trend which will only continue.

    Hallowed are the Ori.