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The belief that politics drive scientific research & its impact on COVID-19 risk assessment

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  • Danielle M McLaughlin
  • Jack Mewhirter
  • Rebecca Sanders

Abstract

We use survey data collected from 12,037 US respondents to examine the extent to which the American public believes that political motives drive the manner in which scientific research is conducted and assess the impact that such beliefs have on COVID-19 risk assessments. We find that this is a commonly held belief and that it is negatively associated with risk assessments. Public distrust in scientists could complicate efforts to combat COVID-19, given that risk assessments are strongly associated with one’s propensity to adopt preventative health measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Danielle M McLaughlin & Jack Mewhirter & Rebecca Sanders, 2021. "The belief that politics drive scientific research & its impact on COVID-19 risk assessment," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(4), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0249937
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249937
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sarah Dryhurst & Claudia R. Schneider & John Kerr & Alexandra L. J. Freeman & Gabriel Recchia & Anne Marthe van der Bles & David Spiegelhalter & Sander van der Linden, 2020. "Risk perceptions of COVID-19 around the world," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(7-8), pages 994-1006, August.
    2. John M. Barrios & Yael Hochberg, 2020. "Risk Perception Through the Lens of Politics in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic," NBER Working Papers 27008, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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