Declining Trust in Science: Americans' Views on Scientists Plummet
Trust in scientists among Americans, including both Democrats and Republicans, has declined since the start of the pandemic, according to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center. The study also found that the perception of science's positive impact on society has decreased, with 57% of Americans believing science has had a mostly positive effect, down 16 points since before the pandemic. Despite the decline in trust, scientists and medical scientists still rank higher in public regard compared to other prominent groups. The survey also revealed that government investments in science are seen as worthwhile by a large majority of Americans, with 78% believing such investments are beneficial for society.