Survey shows strong support for investment in research in São Paulo

According to Brazilian pollster Datafolha, 88% of the population of São Paulo State considers investment in science and technology very important.

Agência FAPESP – A survey conducted in São Paulo State by Brazilian pollster Datafolha shows that scientists represent the third most admired profession (61%), after physicians (70%) and teachers (77%). Another noteworthy finding is that 88% consider investment in science and technology (S&T) very important, although 70% believe that the current levels of investment in S&T are insufficient and 86% think the government should fund scientific research even if it does not produce immediate benefits.

Scientists say better financial resources and credibility are the main reasons for applying to FAPESP for research funding.

Datafolha polled three groups across São Paulo State: the general public, scientists, and opinion formers. The general public was sampled in 138 towns and cities, comprising 3,217 female and male interviewees aged 16 or older from all income groups. They responded individually to a structured questionnaire. Each interview lasted approximately 25 minutes.

In this group, 63% of interviewees said they had some interest in S&T, and 26% were very interested. A larger proportion expressed stronger interest in S&T (26%) than in economics and business (24%), fashion (14%), politics (12%), or news about celebrities (7%). Ranking above S&T were medicine and health (51%), food and shopping (45%), environment and ecology (39%), religion (38%), sports (32%), and movies, arts and culture (30%).

Of those who frequently obtained information about S&T, just under a third did so mainly from television (31%). Other sources included the Internet (24%), conversations with friends (21%), newspapers (18%), and magazines (10%).

According to 39% of those surveyed, scientific research in Brazil is lagging behind that in the rest of the world, and 51% agreed with the statement that when politicians make decisions they should take scientific evidence into account more than public opinion.

According to FAPESP President Celso Lafer, “Datafolha’s survey shows the importance of science in the minds of many people and the respect they have for scientists. Second, it highlights the clear perception that the state should support scientific research even when it may not produce immediate benefits, and that private enterprise can also invest more in the sector.”

However, although the general public values science and scientific activity, it knows very little about research institutions. According to Datafolha, when asked to name any research institution, or even any university, 77% were unable to do so. When a list of institutions was read to the interviewees, 26% said they had heard of FAPESP, but well over half of these (65%) were unable to say what FAPESP does.

The public considers scientific and technological knowledge “highly useful,” especially in the field of “healthcare and prevention of disease” (70%), to “understand the world” (51%) and to “protect the area around my home and the environment” (47%).

“The high priority placed on research by the general public and the perceived value of the scientific profession echo the views expressed in other countries and motivate São Paulo’s scientific community to produce more and better results with a scientific, social and economic impact. The survey also underscores the need for stronger efforts by institutions to demonstrate results and associate their names with them,” said Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz, FAPESP’s Scientific Director.

Researchers’ opinions

For its survey of researchers supported by FAPESP, Datafolha conducted 505 interviews with men and women in São Paulo State.

The researchers view the government as the main source of funding for scientific research in Brazil and think that businesses should invest more in S&T. For 67% of these interviewees, Brazil is a “middle-ranking” country in scientific research, and for 80% its investment is insufficient.

“Better financial resources” and “credibility” are the main reasons that researchers choose FAPESP, according to the survey.

“Researchers, who are the group most directly involved with FAPESP, recognize its contribution and stress its credibility. In short, the findings confirm that taxpayers in São Paulo State support FAPESP’s activities,” Lafer said.

Practically all the researchers interviewed (99%) believe that scientific research contributes to the nation’s development and defend the independence of scientists. Sixty percent said they consider Brazil a world leader in agriculture and animal husbandry. Only 6% see Brazil as a leading technology developer.

When the researchers were asked if they were satisfied with scientific development in their own fields, 55% expressed satisfaction and 44% expressed dissatisfaction (1% chose neither). Almost a third (31%) of the former chose “international recognition or leadership” as the main reason for satisfaction; a slightly lower proportion (29%) preferred “advances and development” in their research field.

A majority of researchers consider a career in science unattractive for young people, owing to low pay and little prestige. For 58%, a “vocation for knowledge” is the scientist’s main motivation.

FAPESP’s support for these interviewees broke down as follows: PhD scholarships (36%), postdoctoral scholarships (30%), master’s scholarships (26%), regular research grants (26%), scientific initiation grants (22%), and thematic project grants (5%), as well as the Small Business Innovative Research Program (PIPE, 3%), the Young Investigator Program (2%) and others (6%).

Of the researchers interviewed, 85% received support for their research from another institution, particularly the National Council for Scientific & Technological Development (CNPq).

Opinion formers

Datafolha also conducted a survey of opinion formers consisting of 30 in-depth interviews: 15 with journalists and 15 with secondary teachers at public and private schools in São Paulo State.

The survey found that both journalists and teachers routinely search for information about S&T, especially on the Internet. Teachers typically read specific publications in their own field, while journalists browse the media more generally.

A majority agree that the language in articles about S&T is now easier to understand than it was formerly, and that there is greater access to scientific information. According to the opinion formers interviewed, science teaching in schools must improve, and both teachers and students should be given more encouragement and training.

The interviewees express moderate satisfaction with scientific research in Brazil, citing lack of investment and a weak research tradition as negative aspects. However, they believe that Brazil produces excellent scientists, although many end up living and working in other countries.

All the opinion formers surveyed view investment in S&T as insufficient at this time. In their view, more investment by both government and private enterprise is required to improve scientific research, enhance quality of life, and further the nation’s development.

FAPESP is the most familiar research funding agency to the journalists interviewed. Those who know of FAPESP have a positive image of it and consider it a serious institution. All interviewees are in favor of the existence of public institutions that support scientific research in Brazil.

Datafolha’s reports on these three surveys can be read in Portuguese here:

• General public: www.fapesp.br/datafolha/populacao.pdf
   
• Researchers: www.fapesp.br/datafolha/pesquisadores.pdf
   
• Opinion formers: www.fapesp.br/datafolha/formadores.pdf