Robert Kunovich

Document Type

Article

Source Publication Title

Public Understanding of Science

DOI

10.1177/09636625231203478

Abstract

This study examines whether engaging in science work and work that is substantively complex (e.g. requiring independent thought and judgment) is related to interest in science, science knowledge, and confidence in the scientific community in the United States. It also examines whether the conditions of work mediate the relationship between education and these science-related outcomes. Occupation-level data from O*NET are merged with survey data from the General Social Survey. Results indicate that science work is related to interest in science and science knowledge and that work complexity is related to confidence in the scientific community. Results offer only limited evidence of mediation—science work mediates the relationship between educational attainment and science knowledge but not the relationships involving interest or confidence. In sum, results indicate that the conditions of work are associated with science attitudes, and that researchers should examine these connections in future research.

Publication Date

1-1-2023

Language

English

Comments

Robert M. Kunovich (PhD, The Ohio State University) is a Professor of Sociology and a Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington. His research interests include the public understanding of science, risk and uncertainty, and nationalism. Supplemental material for this article is available online.

License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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