Chapter Organization

To explore the issues raised above, data from this and previous Science & Engineering Indicators reports are used and--in some areas--combined with survey results from Japan and the European Community. The first section focuses on the level of interest in S& T, the public's self-perceived level of understanding, and attentiveness to S& T issues. Comparative information from the European Community and Japan is also examined. The section also looks at the primary sources of information used by various segments of the public to learn about S& T, and the level of trust they place in those sources.

The second section examines public attitudes toward S& T in general and toward specific scientific and technological issues. It looks at patterns of change over the last 15 years relating to organized science, scientists, specific controversies, government spending, and the broad impact of S& T on the quality of life. Comparative responses from citizens in Japan and the European Community are also reviewed.

The third section explores the level of public understanding of science and technology. Using a wide array of measures, this section attempts to estimate the proportions of U.S. adults who understand selected scientific, technological, biomedical, and environmental terms and concepts. The section also compares U.S. responses to those of the European Community and Japan.

The final section uses data from a continuing longitudinal study of U.S. youth to assess the attitudes of the next generation of Americans toward S& T. Data from national samples of public high school seniors are used to estimate attitudes toward both organized science in general and selected scientific and technological issues in particular.