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May 25, 20260 citationsOpen Access

Science awareness, attitudes and astronomy: continuity and changes: South African Social Attitudes Survey 2013

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HCHuman Sciences Research Council

Key Points

  • The aim is to examine the continuity and changes in public attitudes towards science and technology in South Africa since 2009.
  • Conducted South African Social Attitudes Survey in 2013 with a specialized 40-item module.
  • Survey included measures of attitudes, knowledge, and information sources related to science and technology.
  • Utilized a nationally representative sample for comparability with previous surveys.
  • Identified significant shifts in public awareness and attitudes towards science and technology since 2009.
  • Increased interest and knowledge in scientific topics, particularly astronomy and technology.
  • Public engagement with science remains influenced by behavior and access to information.

Abstract

A 2009 study for the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) reviewed research in this area undertaken in South Africa. On this basis a specialised module of 20 items (to measure the attitudes, knowledge and sources of information for science and technology) was developed for the 2010 South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS), which was conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council. This module was extended to 40 items for SASAS 2013. This is the most recent nationally representative and internationally comparable survey to address these questions in South Africa. The key questions addressed in this report are based on a framework that views the public's relationship with science as based on behaviour, interest, knowledge and attitudes.

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Cite This Study

Human Sciences Research Council (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a13e7680e02ee3982d3221chttps://doi.org/10.14749/32385390
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Public attitudes to science in South Africa2026
  2. 2Public perceptions of science and technology2026
  3. 3Public relationship with science in South Africa: tabulation report based on the 2013 round of the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS)2026
  4. 4Attitudes towards astronomy and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) in South Africa2026
  5. 5TIMSS SA Newsletter: the South African Public Relationship with Science Survey 9(2). April: 1-22026