Aejmc 2014 presentation views about scientists

Perceptions about Scientists: Comparing 2001 and 2012

John C. Besley, Ph.D.Ellis N. Brant Chair in Public Relations, Michigan State

Background

Background

Underlying concern:Poor image of scientists leads to fewer people choosing a science career, less influence for scientists, and less support for science

Background

• Used 1983 and 2001 data from the NSF S&T surveys

• Found that images of scientists driven by:• Year (2001 = better)• Demographics• Faith vs. science

Background

• Image questions were back for 2012 Indicators• I served as

chapter author• Losh encouraged

me to re-analyze

Current Project • Not feasible to include 1983 data in new analysis• As of 2006, NSF S&T survey is

part of General Social Survey (GSS)• Not much overlap between 1983 and 2012

surveys• Losh (2010) include a single “images” of scientist index

• Initial analysis suggested that available items do not scale into a single index

• Also potential for additional predictor variables aimed at understanding origins of views about scientists

Two questions:• Is there evidence of a change by descriptive statistics?

(While being wary of survey mode change)

• Did predictors of views change by year?

The data and the analysis …• 2001: n = ~1,000-1,200 (RDD telephone)• 2012: n = ~400-900 (Face-to-Face)

Step 1. Mean comparisons using t-tests/ANOVAStep 2. GLM Model with interactions by survey year

ChallengesDescriptive Statistics and 2001-2012 Comparisons for Predictor Variables

Suggests slight decline in expected positive predictors

ChallengesDescriptive Statistics and 2001-2012 Comparisons for Criterion Variables

Slight increase in positive perceptions

Slight increase in negative perceptions

ChallengesGLM tests of between subject effects for views about scientists

Year had very little impact on the underlying relationships

Note: These are F-scores, NOT parameter estimates!


Women were slightly less likely to have negative views(b = -.12 and -.11)



Young people and those who took more math and science courses tended to have fewer negative views



Those with more interest are more likely to hold positive images(b = .15, but less so in 2001)



Small negative relationship between knowledge and perceptions(b = -.02 to -.04)



No museum visit or lots of museum visits associated with seeing more danger in 2012 (i.e., non-linear)



Indicating that newspaper were the primary source of S&T was associated with lower perceptions of danger and working alone



Indicating that newspaper were the primary source of S&T was associated with lower perceptions of danger and working alone(b = -.18 and -.20)



Very limited variance explained


Discussion • Factors associated with scientist views include: • Age and gender• Experience/Knowledge of science

BUT …• NSF S&T Survey is meant to be a key source

of S&T knowledge and attitude data.AND …

• Models based on available questions explain limited variance in scientist perceptions

SO …• We need to encourage NSF to continue to think

about the questions included in the S&T survey• Better communication variables, including

exposure/attention to various sources of science content, as well as interpersonal discussion

• Consistent issue specific and general attitude measures

Next steps …• Redo the analysis in MPlus using multi-group

modelling approach• Build in criterion variables related to impact of views

Parameter Estimates

Education

Aejmc 2014 presentation views about scientists