Online sources and instant messaging have become the preferred sources for people seeking information about science, according to the Science Barometer SwitzerlandExternal link 2022 published by the University of Zurich on Wednesday.
Fifty-nine percent of respondents said they trusted science and research to a high or very high degree, the latest poll found.
That’s down from almost 67% at the end of 2020 and 56% the previous year.
The data shows that most people in Switzerland have a positive attitude towards scientific research, says project leader Mike Schäfer. “But our findings also make it clear [that] there are certainly people who remain sceptical,” he said in a press release.
Other sources
The survey also shows that the Swiss population’s sources of information have changed in recent years. The internet, notably websites and apps of established news media, is now clearly ahead of television and print media.
Instant messenger services such as WhatsApp or Telegram gained importance as sources of information during the pandemic. On the other hand, face-to-face and live formats such as exhibitions, lecture events or public discussions were less frequented, according to the survey.
The Science Barometer Switzerland is based on telephone surveys carried out every three years.
Popular Stories
More
Workplace Switzerland
Trump tariff shock: how Switzerland is positioning itself
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
‘Pressure will increase on Switzerland to invest more in defence’
This content was published on
Markus Mäder, Switzerland's state secretary for security policy, believes that more cooperation is needed in order to strengthen defence in Europe.
Just one in five Swiss attend a religious service at Easter
This content was published on
Only one in five people in Switzerland attend a religious service during the Easter period or give up meat or alcohol for at least one day of fasting. Around 25% of those polled see Easter primarily as a family holiday, according to the survey.
Major road disruptions continue after heavy snowfall in parts of Switzerland
This content was published on
The snowfall has ended in the southern Swiss canton of Valais, the cantonal emergency services said on Friday. Several roads, however, remain closed.
Swiss businessman gets prison term for asbestos deaths
This content was published on
Stephan Schmidheiny has been sentenced to 9 years and 6 months in prison by the Turin Court of Appeal in a case against the former Eternit executive over deaths linked to asbestos exposure in Italy.
This content was published on
Swiss imports and exports reached new heights in the first quarter, driven by the chemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors. Shipments to the US rose sharply.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss trust science, says study
This content was published on
People in Switzerland have a positive view of science, with climate and energy considered the most important areas for research.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.