80%
The percentage of Americans who believe that government investments in medical research “usually pay off in the long run.” Eighty percent also believe that’s true for engineering and technology research, and 77 percent do for basic research.
92%
The percentage of self-identified liberal Democrats who believe that investments in basic research usually pay off in the long run. In contrast, 61 percent of conservative Republicans do. The divide is similar for engineering and technology research and medical research.
57%
The percentage of Americans who say that government funding is “essential” for scientific progress. Forty-two percent believe that private industry funding alone will ensure enough progress.
78%
The percentage of liberal Democrats who believe that government funding is essential for scientific progress. Sixty-five percent of moderate/conservative Democrats do, as do 52 percent of moderate/liberal Republicans and 31 percent of conservative Republicans.
Source: Pew Research Center American Trends Panel. (2018). Methodology and results available at www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FT_ScienceGovernment_Topline_Methodology.pdfopens in new window.
