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I Just Don't Trust Them: The Development and Validation of an Assessment Instrument to Measure Trust in Science and Scientists
Author(s) -
Nadelson Louis,
Jorcyk Cheryl,
Yang Dazhi,
Jarratt Smith Mary,
Matson Sam,
Cornell Ken,
Husting Virginia
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
school science and mathematics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.135
H-Index - 2
eISSN - 1949-8594
pISSN - 0036-6803
DOI - 10.1111/ssm.12051
Subject(s) - construct (python library) , reliability (semiconductor) , field (mathematics) , process (computing) , psychology , construct validity , science education , measure (data warehouse) , computer science , engineering ethics , data science , mathematics education , psychometrics , engineering , mathematics , data mining , clinical psychology , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , pure mathematics , programming language , operating system
Trust in science and scientists can greatly influence consideration of scientific developments and activities. Yet, trust is a nebulous construct based on emotions, knowledge, beliefs, and relationships. As we explored the literature regarding trust in science and scientists we discovered that no instruments were available to assess the construct, and therefore, we developed one. Using a process of data collection from science faculty members and undergraduate students, field testing, expert feedback, and an iterative process of design, we developed, validated, and established the reliability of the T rust in S cience and S cientist I nventory . Our 21‐item instrument has a reliability of C ronbach's alpha of .86, and we have successfully field‐tested it with a range of undergraduate college students. We discuss implications and possible applications of the instrument, and include it in the appendix.