Perception in Science, Technology and Innovation: A Comparative Review for the Years 2012 and 2015 from Colombian Surveys

Abstract

Trends and progress in science and technology (S&T) have evident effects on daily life, and public perception is fundamental for understanding how citizens receive, learn, process and maintain knowledge and information that allow perform, represent, imagine and become part of society from a science and technology approach, which is articulated by a country’s scientific culture and science and technology policies. To analyze these perceptions, surveys are key instruments that allow information to be obtained on how the population uses science and technology every day and are a good strategy for empowering society. The main objective of this study is to analyze the results of the last two national surveys on public perception of S&T performed in Colombia in 2012 and 2015 and determine the interest and information level, attitudes and values, participation and public policies and social appropriation of science and technology following the guidelines of the Antigua Manual developed by the Network for Science and Technology Indicators—Ibero-American and Inter-American (RICYT). These studies allow questions such as the following to be analyzed using different approaches: what are the main sources from which techno-scientific developments are built, whether the population knows and uses local science and technology, expectations of scientific communities, and the levels of ownership of science and technology in everyday life. The findings of this study are important for policymakers and scientific communities to strengthen dialogue with different social stakeholders.