Science, Technology and Innovation (CTI) has a “good social reputation” and its activities receive “positive” recognition, with seven out of 10 Argentines considering it “contributing to improving the quality of life,” according to a survey released today by the center. Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
This survey, which covered all regions of the country, represents some traditional indicators of public perception of science at the provincial level and includes new dimensions of analysis linked to residents' knowledge, evaluation and demands for the development of local communities. Science, technology and innovation agendas.
It was implemented through social networks (Instagram and Facebook), for people over 16 years of age, with the aim of “expanding the universe and regional coverage of STI perception surveys” and “producing indicators for provinces and districts”. At the regional level.”
Among its main conclusions, it highlights that CTI has a “good social reputation” and represents activities that are “positively regarded as a means of improving people’s quality of life.”
Also, for the vast majority, it “promotes more benefits than risks” and when referred to, the “most common” association that appears is related to “the idea of progress, development, the future, and progress as a clear common denominator.”
For society, the main financier of these activities is “the state, whether national or regional” and then “businesses”, but in both cases “these actors are asked to invest more”.
Although the survey reveals that the CTI National Strategic Plan is “little known,” when assessing its importance, the majority of residents consider it “very important or very important for the country and for each province.”
The citizen citizen perspective emphasizes the fact that science, technology and innovation should focus “on reducing poverty and inequality, researching and implementing improvements in health, education and environmental care”.
Of the 7,977 cases consulted, when asked: To what extent would you say that science, technology and innovation contribute to improving people's quality of life? Seven out of ten spoke positively.
In terms of benefits, 90% said it brings “a lot/very little” and in terms of risks, 36% said they are aware of them.
When asked what science represents, it is associated with the following set of words: “research – discovery – experimental medicine – health progress – future – progress – technology – basic science (natural, biology, physics, or chemistry) – knowledge – knowledge – information – study of scientists – Personalities (such as Albert Einstein or René Favaloro) – Innovation – Creation of the environment – Nature – Life – Environment Scientific institutions (such as CONICET, universities, hospitals, etc.).
When participants were asked to complete the sentence: “Technology is…” The answers were: progress, the future, progress, development, electronic devices, communication, comfort and luxury, and others.
While the concepts associated with innovation were improvement, change, future, idea, training, discoveries, and others.
More than half of those consulted saw the country and their province as being in an “average” position on the CTI, although the perception of the regional position was “somewhat more important” than the national position.
Three out of ten people surveyed know of an organization dedicated to scientific research and/or technological development in their county and, to a lesser extent, are aware of the existence of a private company.
“Institutional knowledge varies at provincial level. In each jurisdiction, local universities become relevant,” it was highlighted in the report, with the main mentions being 9 out of 10 science and technology organizations and 5 out of 10 national universities.
34% responded that the state, whether national or regional, provides the most funds for science, technology and innovation, compared to educational institutions, private companies, foundations or civil society organizations.
In any case, most people view funding (public and private) as “inadequate.”
