They present a study on the social perception of science and technology in the Dominican Republic
EL NUEVO DIARIO, SANTO DOMINGO – The Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic (ACRD) released this Wednesday the first study on “Social Perception of Science and Technology in the Dominican Republic”.
The aim of the research is to obtain relevant information to know the perception of Dominican citizens about science and technology in order to generate inputs to contribute to directing the actions of the socialization of scientific and technological culture. For this, five large dimensions were investigated.
The analysis and interpretation work was carried out by Moisés lvarez, coordinator of the ACRD Basic Science and Technologies Committee, with Miledys Poyó as co-investigator and with the invaluable collaboration of international expert Libia Santos-Requejo from the USAL ESCYT Institute.
This study will facilitate the implementation of the strategic objective: 19. Strengthening the national system of science, technology and innovation, to respond to the economic, social and cultural demands of the nation and to promote integration into society and the knowledge economy, through a strategy.
It is clear from the results that 48.7% of those surveyed consider that the government is the one that contributes the most money to investigations, compared to 71.2%. He thinks it should be increased.
They have practically the same interest in receiving information about science and technology as about religion and consider themselves more informed about religion (65.3%) than about science and technology (48.7%).
In addition, four out of five citizens (78.2%) are aware of science and technology compared to 19.2% who indicated that they do not.
Of those who get information, seven out of ten (71.3%) use the internet for it and with a high percentage of social networks (68.8%) as their first search choice compared to the rest of the media on the net, which includes books is used by only 5.4%. Additionally, they use Facebook (46.0%), YouTube (32.4%), and Instagram (27.1%) to a greater extent.
72.3% of those interviewed showed a level of agreement with the statement “We rely too much on science and not enough on faith”.
In addition, 85.4% of those interviewed stated that they believed in miracles. 30.6% understand that astrology is a science and 53.3% consider that the cause of global warming is human, compared to 45.9% who indicate that it is not.
In evaluating professions or activities, among a list of thirteen, scholars rank tenth alongside judges, just above influencers and politicians who are the worst judges.
The research was conducted with support from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Gallup Dominicana, SA, the Institute for Science and Technology Studies (ESCYT) and the University of Salamanca (USAL), Spain.
In addition, relevant indicators attributed to scientific knowledge of daily life were measured; Perception of the quality of scientific and technical education received at the school; willingness to make use of scientific knowledge in everyday situations; And possessing information on some scientific and technological topics).
The ceremony was attended by the Vice President of ACRD, Dr. Modesto Cruz, and the former President of Milciad Mejia, Placiado Gómez, Domenica Abramo, as well as representatives of the respective institutions, among other dignitaries.
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