Food for Thought: What is Scientific Literacy?

Scientific literacy isn’t necessarily having the skills necessary to be a professional scientist, but rather a way of understanding (in general terms) scientific processes, including questioning, in order to make informed decisions about matters that have a scientific element. Especially when this understanding impacts decisions made at the ballot box.
Retrieved from http://goo.gl/aipdIO 

A scientifically literate society would benefit the field of science itself by having more recruits, greater support for scientific research and more realistic public expectations of science. However, realistic decision making and support depends on society knowing what scientists do and valuing what they do.

At a personal level, people who are scientifically literate are better equipped to evaluate and respond appropriately to scientific and pseudoscientific arguments used by advertisers, commercial organizations and politicians, and better equipped to make important decisions that affect their health, security and economic well-being (Hodson, 2001).


Works Cited: 
Hodson, D. (2001). What is scientific literacy and why do we need it?  

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