Investigating Students’ Private Perceptions of Scientists and their Work

Abstract

A number of studies have shown that students have a stereotyped image of a scientist, and this image is often a rather negative one. The present study aimed to find out whether students had other ideas about scientists, apart from the stereotyped image. Brief, individual interviews were carried out with 67 Year 6 students (aged 11‐12) and 58 Year 10 students (aged 15‐16), who were asked, ‘Can scientists do anything about endangered species?’ Most of the students gave positive answers which were at variance with the stereotyped image. It was concluded that students have private perceptions of scientists and their work, as well as a stereotyped image.