Chia-Ju Liu

Effects of Exposure to Pseudoscientific Television Programs upon Taiwanese Citizens' Pseudoscientific Beliefs

This study investigated the effects of exposure to pseudoscientific television (TV) programs upon Taiwanese citizens pseudoscientific beliefs. The beliefs and practices of pseudoscience portrayed in the media may misguide the citizens in making life choices that may lead to negative consequences. Participants of this study included 2,024 individuals who were selected using probability proportional to size sampling method. Interviews were conducted and survey data were quantitatively analyzed by means of stepwise multiple regressions and reported with the use of cross tables. Results revealed exposure to pseudoscientific TV programs as a strong predictor of Taiwanese citizens pseudoscientific beliefs and that younger citizens demonstrate more pseudoscientific beliefs and practices than older citizens. Researchers of this study proposed the need for making better use of mass media as a way to educate citizens about science and reduce pseudoscientific beliefs.

An Investigation of Taiwan's Public Attitudes Toward Science and Technology

The purpose of this quantitative study is to understand the attitudes of Taiwanese adult citizens over 18 years of age toward science and technology. A theoretical model is constructed and evaluated to identify factors that affect public attitudes. Differences in citizens gender, age, and educational level are also examined to determine whether they parallel differences found in their attitudes. Citizens were selected using probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling. A total of 2,024 valid questionnaires were collected and analyzed by structural equation modeling. The results showed that citizens scientific knowledge promotes positive attitudes toward techno-scientific issues, which are reflected in their high level of support for scientific development, research and application, as well as recognition of global warming and impression of scientists. Additionally, citizens of different genders, ages, and educational levels have significant differences in their attitudes toward science and technology. Implications for formal and informal science education are discussed.