Public Praises Science; Scientists Fault Public, Media

According to a new survey, Americans like science. Overwhelming majorities say that science has had a positive effect on society and that science has made life easier for most people. Most also say that government investments in science, as well as engineering and technology, pay off in the long run. And scientists are very highly rated compared with members of other professions: Only members of the military and teachers are more likely to be viewed as contributing a lot to society''s well-being.

This general public survey was conducted April 28 to May 12, 2009 by PSRAI for the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press among 2,001 adults. Results for the science knowledge quiz and the spending priority questions are based on telephone interviews conducted under the direction of PSRAI among a nationwide sample of 1,005 adults, from June 18-21, 2009. Results for the scientist survey are based on 2,533 online interviews conducted from May 1 to June 14, 2009 with members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), under the direction of PSRAI. To view more from these surveys, click here.

Back to Current News