Public understanding of science : (a case study of a coloured community)

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:While the importance of science and technology for society has long beenrecognised, it has taken on ever increasing importance in the present century.As a result this study, government (The year of Science and Technology -1998), and other initiatives by concerned bodies efforts are directed to betterinform the public about the nature and role of science and technology. Itaimed to make citizens both better informed and better able to adapt to themany changes that science and technology have brought, and will continue tobring, to their lives.Despite these efforts many citizens remain ill informed about the scientificadvances, and how technology affects their lives. As a result, most membersof the public are unable to form substantiated judgements about mattersinvolving science and technology. It is essential that ways are find to improvethe public understands of science and technology.This study discusses the results of an empirical survey which was conductedin a coloured community in Paarl. The thesis summarises the results of thesurvey on these issues. It presents data on the public's understanding ofscience and technology and lists efforts that have been made to improve theunderstanding of science and technology. The study describes efforts tomake information on science and technology more readily available to thepublic. Finally, it proposed measures that various actors might usefully take toimprove public understanding of science and technology.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University