Science Barometer 2017

Since 2014, Wissenschaft im Dialog has been using the science barometer to collect population-representative data on the attitudes of German citizens towards science and research on an annual basis. The aim is to contribute to a fact-based discourse on the relationship between science and the public and targeted science communication by collecting, processing and communicating the results. The questionnaire of the science barometer contains corresponding questions on cognitive attitudes such as interest and information and the respondents´ information behaviour on topics from science and research. In addition, evaluative attitudes will be collected on issues such as trust, the assessment of the benefits and risks of science and the social role of research. The questions are aimed at general attitudes towards science and research. In individual cases, questions are also devoted to specific research areas or technologies or, alternately, to current developments in science and the public. The science barometers 2014 to 2016 were sponsored by the Philip Morris Foundation, the science barometers 2017 to 2019 by the Robert Bosch Foundation.

Topics: 1. Interest in and knowledge of science and research: interest in politics, economics and finance, culture, sport and science and research; association with science or research (open); interest in scientific topics of specific fields (medicine, technology and new technologies, natural sciences, social sciences and humanities); knowledge of science and research.

2. Information behaviour on science and research: satisfaction with reporting on science and research in the media; perception of various topics from science and research in the media (open).

3. Participation and involvement of citizens in science and research: involvement in decisions on science and research is personally important; sufficient involvement of the public in science and research; insufficient efforts by scientists to inform the public about their work; scientists work for the benefit of society; scientists are aware of the social impact of their work; interest in personal participation in science and research (scientific research project, discussion format with scientists); preferred topic for discussion with a scientist (open).

4. Trust in science and research: general trust in science and research; reasons for trust in scientists (expertise, working according to rules and standards, research in the public interest); reasons for distrust of scientists (frequent mistakes, adapting results to one´s own expectations, dependence on donors);

5. Assessment of the benefits and risks of science to society: attitude towards science and research (science harms more than it benefits, benefit personally from science and research, lead to a better life in the future, change living conditions too quickly through science and research, public funding of research, even without immediate benefit (basic research), people trust science too much instead of feelings and beliefs, should be allowed to explore everything without restriction, new technology with unknown risks should be stopped despite expected benefit); Opinion on unscientific statements (climate change is mainly caused by humans and their actions, vaccinating children does more harm than good, humans and animals have common ancestors from which they have evolved in the course of evolution).

6. Relationship between science and politics: extent of the influence of science on politics, or the influence of politics and business on science;

7. Science and research in the future: the most important field of research for the future.

8. Concrete ideas of science and research: understanding of the concept of something ´to explore scientifically´ (open); abilities or qualities of a good scientist; sufficient discussion of science and research in the Bundestag election campaign.

9. Personal relation to science and research: position in science and research; personal acquaintance with a scientist.

Demography: sex; age; education; occupation; household size; net household income; party preference; religiousness; migration background.

Additionally coded: interview ID; interview duration (in seconds); sample (mobile, landline); weight; city size (BIK); federal state; region.