Science in Public Policy Survey (Survey)
Survey Results
1. Are you a
A) Ballot
Method:Multiple Selection
Options:Allow Bypass
Maximum Selections: [1]
Descriptions:Please choose one
Number of Choices:6
B) Results Spread
Statistics
Total1.00
N4
Table Sorted By Total
Choices / Totalscientist / 4
policy maker / 0
administrator / 0
lobbyist / 0
activist / 0
member of the general public / 0
Results Chart (1. Are you a)
2. Please give us contact information. Email or phone is best for us.
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
Options:Allow Bypass
Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
Descriptions:Click in the box to enter text.
B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. Leretta Smith
office phone: 701-231-8939
Email:
2.
3.
231-8996
4.
231 7692
3. If you are a scientist, please indicate your rank or role on a research team?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
Options:Allow Bypass
Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
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B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. Principal investigator - Professor
2. PI
3. Professor, Project leader
4. Associate Professor
PI
4. Is your age between 20 and 30, 30 and 50, 50 and 70, or above?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
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Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
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B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. between 30 and 50
2. 50 & 70
3. 50 and 70
4. 30 and 50
5. Are you male or female?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
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Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
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B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. female
2. F
3. Male
4. Female
6. Where do you live (City, State, Nation)?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
Options:Allow Bypass
Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
Descriptions:Click in the box to enter text.
B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. Dilworth, MN, USA
2. Fargo, ND, US
3. Fargo, ND
4. Fargo, ND, USA
7. What ethnic group are you a part of?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
Options:Allow Bypass
Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
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B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. White
2. White, non-hispanic
3. White
4. European
8. What country are you a citizen in?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
Options:Allow Bypass
Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
Descriptions:Click in the box to enter text.
B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. USA
2. US
3. US
4. Ireland
9. Indicate your level of involvement in public issues (very active, interested only seldom active, interested but passive, only occasionally interested, generally uninvolved)?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
Options:Allow Bypass
Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
Descriptions:Click in the box to enter text.
B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. interested only seldom active
2. interested only seldom active
3. Interested only, seldom active
4. Have been active and still am
10. How would you characterize your attitude toward science (trusting, generally trusting, ignorant of it, cynical, adversarial)?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
Options:Allow Bypass
Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
Descriptions:Click in the box to enter text.
B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. generally trusting
2. trusting
3. Generally trusting
4. Trusing of most of it
11. What experience have you had in advising decision makers who are making public policy?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
Options:Allow Bypass
Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
Descriptions:Click in the box to enter text.
B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. Not much experience from the scientific side - but from a lobbying standpoint, I have found it difficult to sway public policy
2. minimal to none
3. Direct involvement with policy makers in regards to invasive species management and law.
4. Consulting with the FDA, USDA and Lobbying groups
12. What experience have you had in publicizing your research to the general public?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
Options:Allow Bypass
Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
Descriptions:Click in the box to enter text.
B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. Still working at getting something published
2. several media interviews for print & broadcast media over 20 years
3. Very actively involved in the publication of extension bulletins, working with ag communication to release radio and video reports, working with local, state, and regional media to discuss invasive species.
4. Published researcher and through interviews
13. What projects have you worked on (including present ones) that could be used to advise decision makers about public policies?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
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Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
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B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. Student safety survey
2. 1. hearing loss among farmers,
2. providing safe play areas for children living on farms,
3. providing childcare for farm families
3. Control of leafy spurge.
Control of the knapweed species.
Control of Canada thistle.
Control of purple loosestrife (lythrum).
Control of saltcedar.
4. Baytril withdrawal;
Issues of food safety with the USDA FSIS
14. Why is this project one that is of importance in public policy?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
Options:Allow Bypass
Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
Descriptions:Click in the box to enter text.
B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. It could drastically change how emergency situations are handled on campus as well as in the larger community
2. 1. hearing loss is highly prevalent among this worker group, preventable, and adversely affects quality of life;
2. many children are killed and injured on farms annually; lack of safe play areas are a contributing factor;
3. many children are killed and injured on farms annually; lack of childcare that meets the needs of farm families is a contributing factor
3. State and federal laws require control of non-native or invasive species. Land managers need to know how to control these species using chemical, mechanical, or biological methods. This work also supports the addition or removal of certain species from the state noxious weed list.
4. Changed the course of the use of the drug in animla health
15. How are the findings of your study likely to reach public policy decision makers?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
Options:Allow Bypass
Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
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B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. By producing reports and sharing the results with these decision makers
2. Not likely that it will, unless policy makers happen to see/hear media coverage or read professional literature
3. Either in personal conversations or from letters and e-mail.
4. Resarch publications and presentations
16. Are your findings likely to make it to the public in general?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
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Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
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B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. I hope so
2. Very possibly, as media often publish results in popular press (print and broadcast)
3. Yes, often this information is released to the public. See question 12.
4. some will if other agencies and public groups pick up on a paper published
17. How might your findings influence decision makers or the public?
A) Ballot
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B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. To enact processes which safeguard students and the general public
2. 1. Changing attitudes to this health problem from inevitable to preventable.
2. Increase or maintain funding for future research on this topic (or to public agency sponsoring this research).
3. Increase awareness of the prevalence and distribution and determininants of this health problem
4. Increase awareness of the availablity of effective methods to limit/control/eliminate this health problem.
5. Increase funding to agencies charged with intervening with this problem.
5. Consider authoring/sponsoring/supporting regulations designed to reduce exposure to this health hazard.
3. Will help them decide if a certain species should be put on the noxious weed list. Also, in some cases commercial interests such as greenhouses and nurseries will be required to stop the sale and reproduction of these plants. Once on the list, a land manager is required to control that particular species.
4. The data has previously provided proof/ evidence
18. How would you characterize the relationship between the sphere of scientific research and public policy?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
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Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
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B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. I do think there is a disconnect when it comes to research being put into practice in the decision making process
2. Policy should be based on science, as opposed to tradition, false beliefs, or anecdotes. Science informs the policy-development process.
3. In my area they work very closely together and have trust in each other. In many areas, that is not so, especially when Hollywood personalities get involved and state their personal perceptions with no scientific data to support them. That makes it hard to get the scientifically supported view point brought forward.
4. some is trusting other parts are questioned
19. How would you characterize the relationship between the sphere of scientific research and public opinion?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
Options:Allow Bypass
Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
Descriptions:Click in the box to enter text.
B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. The public is often more aware of what research has concluded, even though it may not be used to implement public policy in general.
2. Research can inform educational processes (including public press), which in turn, influences public opinion.
3. Not a real good connection. Scientific data are never directly presented to the public as a scientist would read them in a journal. They are paraphrased by a reporter who sometimes does an good job and sometimes does a very poor job of representing science to the public. The public is and should be suspicious of the "latest findings" heard on the nightly news.
4. here there are greater divides on issues
20. What factors other than scientific findings do you think should influence decision makers?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
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B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. Similar situational responses by other decision makers when confronted with research findings and how those were implemented
2. Ethics, economics, situational and practical considerations.
3. A good dose of common sense. They need to think about what effects their decisions will have on the general public, the environment, the economy, etc. Too often they are only concerned about what effect it will have in the polls.
4. Public opining - whether it be right or not
21. What factors other than scientific knowledge do you think should influence popular belief or opinion on issues?
A) Ballot
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B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. The same as above
2. Ethics, economics, situational and practical considerations.
3. Depends on the issue. Often professionals working in the area should be consulted for practical on the ground view points.
4. evidence
22. How would you characterize decision makers' ability to understand and use scientific knowledge?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
Options:Allow Bypass
Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
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B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. I think many decision makers may appreciate the scientific findings of research conducted, but do not know how to put what is learned from that research into practice
2. Most decision-makers have an honest desire to work to public good, and have an adequate capacity to understand scientific knowledge when presented in a non-technical manner.
3. Depends on the person. Most are open minded and will ask questions when they don't understand or need more information. You can tell when someone has already made up their mind on an issue regardless of the facts presented.
4. sometimes its not understood - need a science background to some extent
23. How would you characterize the public's level of scientific literacy?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
Options:Allow Bypass
Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
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B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. It depends on your demographic. If you are talking about young students who are attending a research institution, they are more familiar with the research process, are more apt to have heard or been a part of a research project, and are more open to debate about these issues. If you are talking about the young family with children, both parents work, etc. - these individuals may or may not have been exposed to scientific studies. If you are referring to the largest demographic of older American's, they are not always open to listening to a scientific discussion because they do not trust what they are hearing, reading, etc. In general, the public can often be mislead by something as simple as the use of a median number in place of a mean (or vice versa) when the opposite should be used. There needs to be more public education on the use of science when informing public policy decisions.
2. Literacy in many cases is low; scientists and their media partners must adjust their presentation of results (and methods) of scientific inquiry accordingly.
3. Not good, they get most of it from talk radio, the nightly news, and mouth to mouth. All these sources are too light on the facts, but strong on the hype.
4. Better than you think - call it the "CSI effect"
24. How do your communication practices change when you try to accommodate different audiences: Other scientists in your field? Other scientists in general? Policy makers? Members of the general public? Students?
A) Ballot
Method:Open-Ended
Options:Allow Bypass
Maximum Number of Characters: [12288]
Descriptions:Click in the box to enter text.
B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. If I am speaking to others within my discipline or the science community at large, I would use more of the quantitative findings of my research. I have not, at this point, been involved in trying to influence public policy with my research. I will be in the future. I am expecting to use both a mix of scientific findings with raw data and simple charts, etc. as well as a sound path of how the research could effect the public at large. With the general public I would focus on what these issues would mean for them, but use minimal quantitative data. With students, I would most likely use the same process as with those in the scientific community and my discipline.
2. When addressing other health scientists, I use more technical language, and include information about how I reached my conclusions, e.g., methods of study. I can't remember when I addressed policy makers specifically concerning results of one of my studies. I personally use the 6th grade level as a target for my messages to the general public.
3. You present to your audience. Scientists want to see the data, the analysis, the controls etc. You present the hard data to them in scientific terms. Policy makers require precise but concise reports on the findings, while the general public needs to be told the results in day to day conversation wording and you need to let them know how this finding will affect them directly.
4. Focus on the type of audience and gauge education level and the type of material that is most appropriate
Fod Scientists in the same field we speak the same language
for Policy makers - need to treat them in a similar fashion to farmers/ or producers
for students you focus at a levle similar to educating them an relate to information they know
25. How do the documents associated with these various communication situations differ?
A) Ballot
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B) Text Responses
Total Number of Respondents (N):4
Number of responses to this question (n):4
1. The documents for the general public will include simple charts and graphs. Those that I produce for the scientific community will include a wider range of the quantitative data. If I am trying to convey meaning to public policy makers, I would also include the full range of scientific data that I think would convey the most information, but also spend time interpreting the data for these policy makers so that they could take what necessary information was gleaned from this material that would have an impact on the policy decisions.
2. They vary in length, detail, language, and access.
3. Science - hard black and white, just the facts.
Policy makers - one page short concise summaries
General public - add color, charts, explain how this affects them directly.
4. the documents reflect the audience type - producers/ processors less of the scientific detail and more of the overall impact - this can also work for policy regulators
for studnets the documents shoudl link to educaitonal material
26. What should the role of scientists be in advising public policy makers and in forming public opinion?