The Public Perception of Science and Technology in a Periphery Society: A Critical Analysis from a Quantitative Perspective

2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Silvio Vaccarezza
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
The Public ◽  
Different Dimensions ◽  
Level Of Understanding

In this article a series of variables referred to the general public's valuations of science and technology are analysed. These valuations refer to different dimensions of science and technology—as a utility of scientific knowledge, their legitimacy, their bond with the cultural matrix of everyday life. The analysis is based on information from a survey carried out in a great urban conglomerate of a little scientific developing country, Argentina. We see that valuation variables discriminate the public according to their positive or negative responses about science, but that there is no evident association between them. We consider one variable in particular dividing the public into those who are ‘trustful’ and those who are ‘cautious’ regarding the advances of science, and we see how it is related to other significations of valuation. The pre-eminence of positions of ambivalence or contradiction in the population's perception regarding this topic is discussed. A factor analysis is presented that comprises these variables and that presents a set of ‘valuation orientations’ towards science as a result. Finally, it is interesting to see how education and the level of understanding of scientific knowledge affect the public's valuation, which questions the basic supposition of the tradition of public understanding studies.

scholarly journals Public Perception on Labeling Genetically Modified (GM) Foods in Ghana: Implications for Food Policy

2020 ◽  
pp. 25-37
Author(s):  
Richard Ampadu-Ameyaw ◽  
Johnny Owusu-Arthur ◽  
Kwame Dei Asamoah-Okyere
Keyword(s):  
Public Perception ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Food Ingredients ◽  
The Public ◽  
Gm Food ◽  
Gm Foods ◽  
Choice Variable

Labeling of genetically modified (GM) food and other food ingredients from GM source has become an important national policy issues receiving serious attention not only in Ghana but globally.   This paper focused on public perceptions of labeling of GM foods in Ghana as a way of garnering a view of the public understanding of the technology that has become so much controversial for which several millions of public sector money is spent on education in the last few years. The survey which elapsed over a period of three months, shows results that indicate a dearth of knowledge on the technology and yet a high demand for labelling of the products, even though not many people read the labels on food products. This leads to the question as to ‘who is doing the listening’. The authors conclude that the limited knowledge and technology essentials among others explain why the public seems to reject the technology and call for labelling of the products in spite of the fact that labelling is nothing but a choice variable, which has nothing to do with safety measure. Modifying the present attitude of the opponents of the technology and the demanders of labelling ignoring the cost that may be involved require extensive education and awareness creations throughout the country using tailor made communication forms to address various different groups.

Scientific Uncertainty in Health and Risk Messaging

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Zehr
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Scientific Uncertainty ◽  
Public Science ◽  
The Public ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
New Research ◽  
Societal Problems

Expressions of scientific uncertainty are normal features of scientific articles and professional presentations. Journal articles typically include research questions at the beginning, probabilistic accounts of findings in the middle, and new research questions at the end. These uncertainty claims are used to construct clear boundaries between uncertain and certain scientific knowledge. Interesting questions emerge, however, when scientific uncertainty is communicated in occasions for public science (e.g., newspaper accounts of science, scientific expertise in political deliberations, science in stakeholder claims directed to the public, and so forth). Scientific uncertainty is especially important in the communication of environmental and health risks where public action is expected despite uncertain knowledge. Public science contexts are made more complex by the presence of multiple actors such as citizen-scientists, journalists, stakeholders, social movement actors, politicians, and so on who perform important functions in the communication and interpretation of scientific information and bring in diverse norms and values. A past assumption among researchers was that scientists would deemphasize or ignore uncertainties in these situations to better match their claims with a public perception of science as an objective, truth-building institution. However, more recent research indicates variability in the likelihood that scientists communicate uncertainties and in the public reception and use of uncertainty claims. Many scientists still believe that scientific uncertainty will be misunderstood by the public and misused by interest groups involved with an issue, while others recognize a need to clearly translate what is known and not known. Much social science analysis of scientific uncertainty in public science views it as a socially constructed phenomenon, where it depends less upon a particular state of scientific research (what scientists are certain and uncertain of) and more upon contextual factors, the actors involved, and the meanings attached to scientific claims. Scientific uncertainty is often emergent in public science, both in the sense that the boundary between what is certain and uncertain can be managed and manipulated by powerful actors and in the sense that as scientific knowledge confronts diverse public norms, values, local knowledges, and interests new areas of uncertainty emerge. Scientific uncertainty may emerge as a consequence of social conflict rather than being its cause. In public science scientific uncertainty can be interpreted as a normal state of affairs and, in the long run, may not be that detrimental to solving societal problems if it opens up new avenues and pathways for thinking about solutions. Of course, the presence of scientific uncertainty can also be used to legitimate inaction.

Public Science Day and the public understanding of science in America

2000 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane M. Daley
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Context ◽  
American Association ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Public Understanding Of Science ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Public Science ◽  
The Public ◽  
The World ◽  
Understanding Of Science

Many countries around the world have instituted day-long or week-long events celebrating science and technology. This article describes the “Public Science Day” sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of science, focusing especially on organizational context, goals, and activities.

The socio-epistemic constitution of science and technology in the Greek press: an analysis of its presentation

2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kostas Dimopoulos ◽  
Vasilis Koulaidis
Keyword(s):  
Social Impact ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Positive Contribution ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
External Relationships ◽  
Understanding Of Science ◽  
Scientific Endeavor ◽  
Organization Of Science

This paper aims to analyze the way in which the Greek press treats the socio-epistemic constitution of science and technology. By “socio-epistemic constitution” we mean the following dimensions: (a) techno-scientific methodology, (b) the social organization of the techno-scientific endeavor, and (c) the interactions of science and technology with other public spheres. Our methodology is based on a content analysis of a sample consisting of 1,867 relevant articles from four national Greek newspapers. The analysis showed that although there is a constant flow of techno-scientific articles, the internal aspects (methodology and internal organization) of science and technology become apparent in only a small minority of these articles. By contrast, external relationships, mainly with politics and economics, are emphasized by focusing on the positive social impact of the techno-scientific endeavor. In general, the Greek press makes a positive contribution to the advancement of the public understanding of science and technology, as the prominent presentation of some of their socio-epistemological components forms a realistic “post-academic” image of these two areas.

scholarly journals PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF LARGE SCALE SOCIAL RESTRICTIONS

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Mohamad Audy Novaldi ◽  
Dasrun Hidayat
Keyword(s):  
Public Perception ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Public Knowledge ◽  
The Public ◽  
Descriptive Research ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
The People ◽  
Daily Behavior ◽  
Level Of Understanding ◽  
Document Review

This study focuses on the public perception of Soreang District, Bandung Regency regarding Large-Scale Social Restrictions. This problem is examined because in its implementation the Large Scale Social Restrictions creates many different perceptions that are felt by each individual, thus affecting the effectiveness of the implementation of the policy. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent of public knowledge and attitudes about Large Scale Social Restrictions and to find out whether the community has complied with the policy. To answer these objectives, researchers used descriptive research methods with a qualitative approach. The technique of collecting data through interviews, observation and document review. The interview involved most of the people of Soreang District, Bandung Regency. Meanwhile, document review is taken from news in various mass media as well as theory from relevant references. Data analysis techniques use reduction analysis, display, and data conclusion. The results of this study indicate that the people of Soreang District, Bandung Regency already understand and comply with the Large Scale Social Restrictions policy. This is supported by the results of interviews the researchers conducted with several informants, on average, with knowledge of the Large Scale Social Restrictions policy. This level of understanding is manifested through daily behavior by following the provisions of the Large Scale Social Restrictions and implementing health protocols.

scholarly journals Social scientists as expert witnesses in The Hague Tribunal and elsewhere

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-116
Author(s):  
Vladimir Petrovic
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Expert Witnesses ◽  
Specific Character ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
The Public ◽  
Specific Solution ◽  
The Hague ◽  
Legal Contexts

The article analyses the role of social scientists as expert witnesses in the ICTY, whose contribution is assessed in the light of the long development of this practice. Wider discussion on the courtroom usage of scientific knowledge is evoked in order to emphasize the problems in regulation of expert witnessing. Differing mechanisms set to ensure the scientific reliability and legal relevance of the contribution of experts is analyzed in different legal contexts and in different scholarly disciplines. Regulation of expert witnessing in The Hague tribunal is perceived as specific solution whose consequences are tracked through the role of experts in the trials and through the public perception of this role. The goal of such approach is to nuance the dominant interpretations on the role of scholars in the Hague tribunal and to create the preconditions for understanding of the specific character of their role.

Analyzing acceptance politics: Towards an epistemological shift in the public understanding of science and technology

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Barben
Keyword(s):  
Science And Technology ◽  
Public Understanding Of Science ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Main Research ◽  
The Public ◽  
Analytical Perspective ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Understanding Of Science

Reviewing the main research approaches on the acceptance of science and technology (S&T) developed in the last decades, I will (1) summarize advances achieved and persisting problems concerning the understanding of both the public and S&T. I will show that the acceptance-centered framework has, at least implicitly, been linked to practical efforts in acceptance politics, i.e., attempts to improve a lack of acceptance. In order to investigate conflicts relating to S&T in a more reflective way, I will (2) suggest an epistemological shift towards the analysis of acceptance politics. Building on the distinction between the relevance and resonance of S&T, the ways in which S&T are valuated and gain legitimacy are investigated from a regime analytical perspective. I will (3) exemplify the advantages of this approach by comparatively analyzing the acceptance politics of three biotechnology applications in the USA and Germany. I will (4) conclude with an outlook on future research.

Understanding science from the perspective of the sociology of scientific knowledge: an overview

1994 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Yearley
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Scientific Practice ◽  
Public Understanding Of Science ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Mutual Benefit ◽  
Public Controversy ◽  
The Public ◽  
Sociology Of Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Understanding Of Science ◽  
Understanding Science

In this paper I argue that the analytic perspective known as the `sociology of scientific knowledge' (SSK) provides an appropriate platform for examining issues in the public understanding of science. In particular. I suggest that three pervasive features of academic scientific practice identified by SSK—trust, judgement and long-termism—are central to interpreting difficulties with the `public understanding of science' in many situations of public controversy. The paper concludes by identifying areas where studies in SSK and the public understanding of science would be of mutual benefit.

scholarly journals Philosophy in the Face of Science and Technology and Nation Building.

2018 ◽  
pp. 736-742
Author(s):  
Daniel Ebun Ogoma ◽  
Olabisi Popoola ◽  
Oluwatoyese Oluwapemi Oyetade ◽  
Rasak Bamidele ◽  
Ngozi Osueke
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Nation Building ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Global Village ◽  
The World ◽  
The Face

The elevation of Science and scientific knowledge above other disciplines and knowledge all over the world is not without reason or justification. Science has made life easier for people. It has reduced the level of superstition. Above all, it has made the world a global village. However, it has come with its own challenges. In a world dominated by science and technology, can Philosophy, an arts discipline, play major roles in the development of a nation? Is Philosophy still relevant in the development of a modern society? These and other related questions are answered in the affirmative in this paper. The paper argues that Philosophy has crucial roles to play in the development of a nation. Therefore, whatever science must have achieved should be complimented with the values inherent in philosophy that this paper examines. The methodology Adopted Is A Critical Analysis.

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