One in four Swedes think Astrology is a science
According to a new opinion poll, 23 per cent of Swedes consider astrology a science, while 14 per cent regard intelligent design as a scientific theory.
Working with pollster Synovate Temo, Vetenskap & Allmänhet (VA), an association that works with establishing trust between researchers and the general public, interviewed more than 1,000 Swedes to find out their views on science and research.
The organisation has carried out similar polls every year since 2002.
A full 36 per cent of young women and 16 per cent of young men between the ages of 16 and 19 answered in the affirmative when asked if they believed astrology to be a science.
Of all those surveyed 23 per cent classified astrology as a science, which is six percentage points higher than last year.
"The results show that people have an insufficient grasp of what science is. That is why we need more contact and meetings between researchers and the general public," said Camilla Modéer, head of VA.
The level of confidence in researchers at universities and colleges has slowly decreased over the years, but they still enjoy a high level of trust from 70 per cent of Swedes.
On the whole, Swedes have a positive opinion of science. Almost 9 out of 10 believe that scientific developments have improved the lives of ordinary people.
An equally high proportion of those surveyed felt that more care should be taken to corroborate the results of scientific studies before they are presented to the general public.
Two thirds of Swedes would like to see fewer alarming reports in the media.
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Working with pollster Synovate Temo, Vetenskap & Allmänhet (VA), an association that works with establishing trust between researchers and the general public, interviewed more than 1,000 Swedes to find out their views on science and research.
The organisation has carried out similar polls every year since 2002.
A full 36 per cent of young women and 16 per cent of young men between the ages of 16 and 19 answered in the affirmative when asked if they believed astrology to be a science.
Of all those surveyed 23 per cent classified astrology as a science, which is six percentage points higher than last year.
"The results show that people have an insufficient grasp of what science is. That is why we need more contact and meetings between researchers and the general public," said Camilla Modéer, head of VA.
The level of confidence in researchers at universities and colleges has slowly decreased over the years, but they still enjoy a high level of trust from 70 per cent of Swedes.
On the whole, Swedes have a positive opinion of science. Almost 9 out of 10 believe that scientific developments have improved the lives of ordinary people.
An equally high proportion of those surveyed felt that more care should be taken to corroborate the results of scientific studies before they are presented to the general public.
Two thirds of Swedes would like to see fewer alarming reports in the media.
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