Research and analysis

Public attitudes to science 2014

A set of studies looking at the UK public’s attitudes to science, scientists and science policy.

From:
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
Published
14 March 2014

Documents

Public attitudes to science 2014: main report

Ref: BIS/14/P111

PDF, 3.12 MB, 190 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email enquiries@beis.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

The fifth in a series of studies looking at the UK public’s attitudes to science, scientists and science policy. Public attitudes to science 2014 (PAS 2014) uses a mix of research and for the first time allows some trends to be tracked as far back as 1988.

The study shows that the UK public overwhelmingly thinks that science is important and takes an interest in it. There has been a gradual long-term increase in support, with the public appearing much more interested in science today than they were in 2000 and before.

PAS 2014 employed a mix of methodologies, including:

  • a representative probability sample survey of 1,749 UK (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) adults aged 16 plus and a booster quota survey of 315 16 to 24 year-olds in the UK, which were carried out from 15 July to 18 November 2013
  • face-to-face qualitative research with a general public audience to explore issues raised by the survey data
  • online qualitative research with the Ipsos MORI Connects online community and social listening to explore how people find out about and discuss science online

The technical and other related reports are available from the Ipsos Mori PAS 2014 website.

Published 14 March 2014

Related content