Chapter 7: Science & Engineering Indicators
Attitudes Toward the Work of Scientists
While the public generally holds positive attitudes toward the leadership of organized science and toward organized
science as an institution, they hold mixed views of the work of scientists. (See figure 7-10 and appendix table 7-15.) In 1992, nearly 80 percent of
Americans thought that scientists "want to work on things that will make life better for the average person." However, over 50 percent agreed with the statement that "many scientists make up or falsify research results to advance their careers or
make money." The tendency to believe that many scientists falsify results was only partially offset by a recognition that the scientific tradition of repeating other scientists' work provides a check on fraud or cheating.
Overall, better educated respondents were more likely to concur that traditional repetition and checking will detect and prevent fraud and less likely to agree that many scientists falsify research results. And approximately 80 percent of all
adults--regardless of sex or education level--agreed that most scientists want to work on things that will benefit the average person.
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