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ERIC Number: ED599708
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Mar-28
Pages: 28
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
What Americans Know about Science: Science Knowledge Levels Remain Strongly Tied to Education; Republicans and Democrats Are about Equally Knowledgeable
Kennedy, Brian; Hefferon, Meg
Pew Research Center
A new Pew Research Center survey finds that many Americans can answer at least some questions about science concepts -- most can correctly answer a question about antibiotics overuse or the definition of an "incubation period," for example. But other concepts are more challenging; fewer Americans can recognize a hypothesis or identify that bases are the main components of antacids. The survey, conducted January 7 to 21, 2019, takes stock of the degree to which the public shares a common understanding of science facts and processes in an era of easy access to information and sometimes-intense debate over what information is true and false. Americans' knowledge of specific facts connected with life sciences and earth and other physical sciences varies, of course. About eight-in-ten (79%) correctly identify that antibiotic resistance is a major concern about the overuse of antibiotics. A similar share (76%) know an incubation period is the time during which someone has an infection but is not showing symptoms. The most challenging question in the set: What are the main components of antacids that help relieve an overly acidic stomach? About four-in-ten correctly answer bases (39%). Americans give more correct than incorrect answers to the 11 questions. Additional highlighted findings from the study include: (1) More-educated Americans score highest on science knowledge; whites generally score higher than blacks and Hispanics; (2) Republicans and Democrats hold similar levels of science knowledge; (3) Conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats score higher on science knowledge; (4) Half of American can recognize a hypothesis about a problem in everyday life; and (5) 67% of Americans see the scientific method as an iterative process.
Pew Research Center. 1615 L Street NW Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-419-4500; Fax: 202-419-4505; Web site: http://pewresearch.org
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Pew Charitable Trusts
Authoring Institution: Pew Research Center
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A