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Peer-reviewed article

Critical Response to Archer et al. (2015) “Science Capital”: A Conceptual, Methodological, and Empirical Argument for Extending Bourdieusian Notions of Capital Beyond the Arts

October 14, 2015 | Media and Technology, Public Programs, Exhibitions
Since 2000, the UK government has funded surveys aimed at understanding the UK public's attitudes toward science, scientists, and science policy. Known as the Public Attitudes to Science series, these surveys and their predecessors have long been used in UK science communication policy, practice, and scholarship as a source of authoritative knowledge about science-related attitudes and behaviors. Given their importance and the significant public funding investment they represent, detailed academic scrutiny of the studies is needed. In this essay, we critically review the most recently published Public Attitudes to Science survey (2014), assessing the robustness of its methods and claims. The review casts doubt on the quality of key elements of the Public Attitudes to Science 2014 survey data and analysis while highlighting the importance of robust quantitative social research methodology. Our analysis comparing the main sample and booster sample for young people demonstrates that quota sampling cannot be assumed equivalent to probability-based sampling techniques.

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  • DSC 3392
    Author
    University of Warwick
  • David Wright
    Author
    Centre for Cultural Policy, University of Warwick
  • Citation

    DOI : 10.1002/sce.21208
    Publication Name: Science Education
    Volume: 99
    Number: 6
    Page Number: 1143-1146
    Resource Type: Research Products
    Discipline: General STEM | History/policy/law
    Audience: Youth/Teen (up to 17) | General Public | Museum/ISE Professionals | Scientists
    Environment Type: Media and Technology | Broadcast Media | Websites, Mobile Apps, and Online Media | Public Programs | Exhibitions

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