Percepción social de la ciencia y la tecnología en España | IKERFEL

We analyze the social perception of science and technology among the Spanish population.

Ikerfel has conducted the last six editions of the Survey on the Social Perception of Science and Technology, a key study conducted by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) to understand the public’s attitude toward scientific and technological advances and their potential to improve quality of life.

This study aims to deepen our understanding of the relationships between science, technology, and society, analyzing public perceptions of scientific and technological advances and their capacity to improve the population’s quality of life.

Applied Methodology.

The following methodology was used to conduct this study:

Quantitative Research:

Personal home interviews (Ikerfel CAPI Survey System) using a questionnaire administered to a representative sample of the population residing in Spain aged 15 and over.

Sample 2024:

4,521 respondents.
Spanish population residing in Spain for 5 or more years, of both sexes, aged 15 and over, living in households throughout the national territory (Peninsula, Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla).
Sampling procedure: Multi-stage, stratified, with proportional random selection of primary sampling units (municipality) and secondary sampling units (sections), and of final sampling units (individuals) using random sampling methods and sex and age quotas.
The sampling error estimate is ±1.49%, for a confidence level of 95.5%.

Personal Home Interviews (Ikerfel CAPI Survey System).

Since 2002, FECYT has conducted the Social Perception of Science and Technology in Spain Survey every two years.

The Social Perception of Science and Technology Survey is a research carried out by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) every two years that measures perception and its evolution on topics of such relevance as: interest, image and confidence of society in science and technology, the effects of new technologies, climate change, artificial intelligence or aspects related to denialism or conspiracy perceptions.

For FECYT, this analysis is essential to:

Promote quality scientific communication that facilitates dialogue, participation, and mutual engagement between science and society.
Foster greater collaboration between scientific knowledge and public policies.
Build strategies that contribute to a cultural shift toward Open Science.

Key issues.

The results of the latest edition reveal some key issues:

The positive image that society has of science and technology is consolidated:
- Considering that the benefits they provide far outweigh the harm they can cause.
- Due to the great trust placed in both science and technology and in scientists.
The main perceived benefits of science and technology are associated with addressing diseases and epidemics (70.6%) and improving quality of life in society (54.8%).
While the contributions of science and technology perceived to pose the greatest risks are nuclear energy, the robotization of work, and artificial intelligence.
The spread of infectious diseases, climate change, energy prices, poverty, hunger, lack of drinking water, and drought are the main problems of today’s society that science and technology are considered to be able to greatly help solve.

The Spanish population once again expresses overwhelming agreement with:
- The idea that the results of publicly funded scientific research should be freely accessible.
- The fact that scientific research should be funded with public funds, even if it does not provide immediate benefits, since it advances knowledge.
- The appreciation that political decisions should be based more on scientific evidence.
There is an increase in the declared interest in science and technology among the Spanish population.You can consult the latest reports here.

You can consult the latest reports here