# Most Americans Are More Science-Literate Than We Think
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Understanding Science in America
Despite the rising tide of anti-science sentiments, it’s heartening to discover that a significant portion of the American populace is actually knowledgeable about scientific concepts. According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, a respected non-partisan organization, a majority of participants (~70%) demonstrated a medium to high level of scientific understanding.
Scientific literacy is more prevalent than many might assume.
We do see some individuals, such as climate change skeptics, who dismiss the overwhelming evidence of global warming’s detrimental effects. Additionally, outbreaks of diseases like measles and mumps are fueled by anti-vaccine advocates who wrongly assert a link between vaccinations and autism, despite extensive scientific research disproving this notion. However, it’s crucial to note that these views represent a vocal minority, often amplified through social media and other platforms.
Fortunately, the Pew survey results provide some reassurance. More than 70% of respondents exhibited a medium or high comprehension of scientific principles.
Survey Insights
The Pew survey, conducted in early January 2019, included a representative sample of 4,464 adults across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. It comprised 11 questions designed to gauge basic scientific literacy, with two focusing specifically on the understanding of scientific processes.
Before continuing, take a moment to evaluate your own scientific knowledge through the Pew survey. Even as someone entrenched in the field of science, I found certain questions quite challenging.
Levels of Knowledge
Responses varied significantly based on education, gender, race, and ethnicity. Overall, participants provided more correct answers than incorrect ones. The average score was 6.7 correct answers, with a median of 7.
Nearly 40% of individuals scored between 9 and 11 questions correctly, classifying them as possessing "high science knowledge." About one-third managed to answer 5 to 8 questions correctly, indicating "medium science knowledge," while 30% fell into the "low science knowledge" category, answering four or fewer questions correctly.
Education's Role
It’s no surprise that individuals with higher educational attainment performed better on the survey. Those with postgraduate degrees scored about four questions higher on average compared to those with only a high school diploma (9.2 vs. 5 out of 11).
When looking at the percentage of respondents achieving "high" science knowledge, over 70% of those with advanced degrees answered at least 9 questions correctly, in stark contrast to just under 20% of individuals with a high school education or less.
Delving deeper, the survey indicated that individuals with postgraduate degrees were “at least 27 percentage points more likely to select the correct answer compared to those with a high school education or less.” This finding may reflect greater exposure to scientific education at advanced academic levels, such as those who have attended health professional schools or pursued higher degrees in scientific disciplines. It may also indicate a greater likelihood of engaging in informal science education, such as visiting museums or consuming science-related media.
Impact of Race and Ethnicity
Significant disparities in scientific understanding were also observed across racial and ethnic lines. White respondents tended to score higher than their Hispanic or Black counterparts.
According to the Pew survey, “Whites answered an average of 7.6 out of 11 questions correctly, while Hispanics averaged 5.1, and Blacks scored 3.7.” Approximately half of the White participants (48%) were classified as having high science knowledge, compared to 23% of Hispanics and 9% of Blacks. The report suggests that these differences may stem from various factors, including educational access and the availability of scientific information.
Gender Disparities
Men outperformed women on the science knowledge scale, answering an average of 7.4 questions correctly compared to 6.0 for women. Nearly half of the male respondents achieved "high" scores, while only 30% of females did.
Interestingly, the gender gap varied by question type. For instance, both genders were almost equally likely to identify antibiotic resistance as a major issue related to drug overuse (80% for men and 77% for women). However, more men recognized genetic engineering in plants (66% vs. 46%).
Political Affiliation
In general, both Republicans and Democrats showed similar levels of scientific understanding (7 vs. 6.6 correct answers, respectively). Notably, those on the extremes of the political spectrum (liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans) scored higher than moderates.
Older vs. Younger Respondents
Scores were comparable between older and younger participants; those aged 65 and above averaged 7.1 correct answers, while the 18-29 age group averaged 6.6. However, the researchers found no significant age-related differences when controlling for gender, race, ethnicity, and education.
Understanding Scientific Processes
The researchers pointed out that grasping how scientific knowledge is built can empower individuals to navigate contemporary debates surrounding issues like climate change and vaccinations. To assess this understanding, the survey included questions focused on generating scientific hypotheses and the importance of control groups.
They discovered that 60% of participants recognized the significance of adding a control group in evaluating medication effectiveness, while just over half understood the concept of a scientific hypothesis.
The overall takeaway from the survey is that scientific knowledge is indeed thriving in the U.S., with roughly 70% of Americans demonstrating medium to high levels of understanding. This is encouraging, yet there is room for improvement.
Addressing Educational Disparities
Education is undeniably a crucial factor in enhancing scientific literacy. It’s imperative to reject policies that perpetuate educational inequality in America. My recommendations for bridging this educational gap include:
- Fair compensation for teachers
- Ensuring quality education in every school
- Expanding broadband access to underserved communities
- Holding for-profit educational institutions accountable
- Implementing universal pre-school programs
Patricia Salber, MD, MBA, is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Doctor Weighs In, a multi-media health news platform. Recognized as a Top Voice in Healthcare on LinkedIn in both 2017 and 2018, she previously held roles in various healthcare sectors, including emergency medicine and health plan management. Her passion lies in writing and discussing topics related to healthcare.
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