[Sigmetrics] RFC: From a Report related to "Science Literacy" and Metrics

[T V Gopal]

Dear All,

"Unanticipated novelty, the new discovery, can emerge only to the extent
that his anticipations about nature and his instruments prove wrong."
                  - Thomas S. Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific
Revolutions

The National Academies Press has recently published a report titled
"Science Literacy: Concepts, Contexts, and Consequences"
[138 Pages; PDF is available at http://www.nap.edu/23595].

I found this very interesting in the context of our discussions on Metrics
related to Scientific "Progress".

This report defines sciences as:

..At once a process, a product, and an institution, science enables people
to both engage in the construction of new knowledge as well as use
information to achieve desired ends.

It proceeds to suggest:

Access to science—whether using knowledge or creating it—necessitates some
level of familiarity with the enterprise and practice of science: we
refer to this as science literacy.

The core questions addressed are as follows:

What is the consensus on metrics for scientific literacy in the United
States?
What is the evidence on how those measures have changed over time?
How does this compare to other nations?
What is the evidence of enhanced scientific literacy on:

+ Support for, attitudes on, and perception of scientific research?
+ Use of scientific knowledge?
+ Perception of U.S. international standing in science?
+ Health literacy?
+ Behaviors related to health?

Is lack of scientific literacy associated with decreased support for
science and/or research?

Your thoughts...

Warmest Regards




Gopal T V
0 9840121302
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Dr. T V Gopal
Professor
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
College of Engineering
Anna University
Chennai - 600 025, INDIA
Ph : (Off) 22351723 Extn. 3340
      (Res) 24454753
Home Page : http://www.annauniv.edu/staff/gopal
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