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GSS 1972-2024 Cumulative Datafile - Release 3


polbsttxbest policy vs narrow interest on fed inc tax: elected official
Text of this Question or Item
Please look at Card B14. When making policy recommendations about 
federal income taxes, on a scale of 1 to 5, to what extent do you 
think the following groups would support what is best for the country 
as a whole or what serves their own narrow interests? 
INSTRUCTION: IF ASKED WHAT NARROW INTEREST MEANS: Well, someone might 
gain financially if a certain policy were adopted or it might advance 
his or her career. 
C. Elected officials
Percent N Value Label
8.5 113 1 what is best for the country
13.1 175 2
27.1 362 3
24.5 327 4
26.9 359 5 own narrow interests


62 .d don't know


67,444 .i iap


4 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
gmmedhow well med researcher know risk by genetically modified foods
Text of this Question or Item
Here is another public issue: genetically modified foods. Genetically 
modified foods come from plants or animals whose characteristics have 
been changed by the alteration, addition, or deletion of DNA in their 
genetic material using advanced laboratory techniques. Some say that 
genetically modified foods are unsafe and pose risks for human 
health. Others say that they are safe and necessary to reduce world 
hunger. Please look at Card B15. (On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means 
œVery Well and 5 means œNot at All), how well do the following 
groups understand the risks posed by genetically modified foods? 
INSTRUCTION: IF ASKED WHAT œADVANCED LABORATORY TECHNIQUES MEANS: 
This typically involves œrecombinant DNA or œgene splicing, in 
which genetic material from one organism is inserted into the genes 
of another. Sometimes, the two organisms are members of different 
species. 
A. Medical researchers
Percent N Value Label
33.6 296 1 very well
32.2 284 2
20.2 178 3
7.9 70 4
6.0 53 5 not at all


54 .d don't know


67,910 .i iap


1 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
gmpolhow well elected official know risk by genetically modified foods
Text of this Question or Item
Here is another public issue: genetically modified foods. Genetically 
modified foods come from plants or animals whose characteristics have 
been changed by the alteration, addition, or deletion of DNA in their 
genetic material using advanced laboratory techniques. Some say that 
genetically modified foods are unsafe and pose risks for human 
health. Others say that they are safe and necessary to reduce world 
hunger. Please look at Card B15. (On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means 
œVery Well and 5 means œNot at All), how well do the following 
groups understand the risks posed by genetically modified foods? 
INSTRUCTION: IF ASKED WHAT œADVANCED LABORATORY TECHNIQUES MEANS: 
This typically involves œrecombinant DNA or œgene splicing, in 
which genetic material from one organism is inserted into the genes 
of another. Sometimes, the two organisms are members of different 
species. 
B. Elected officials
Percent N Value Label
3.7 33 1 very well
5.3 47 2
23.6 209 3
35.1 311 4
32.2 285 5 not at all


51 .d don't know


67,910 .i iap


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
gmbizhow well business leader know risk by genetically modified foods
Text of this Question or Item
Here is another public issue: genetically modified foods. Genetically 
modified foods come from plants or animals whose characteristics have 
been changed by the alteration, addition, or deletion of DNA in their 
genetic material using advanced laboratory techniques. Some say that 
genetically modified foods are unsafe and pose risks for human 
health. Others say that they are safe and necessary to reduce world 
hunger. Please look at Card B15. (On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means 
œVery Well and 5 means œNot at All), how well do the following 
groups understand the risks posed by genetically modified foods? 
INSTRUCTION: IF ASKED WHAT œADVANCED LABORATORY TECHNIQUES MEANS: 
This typically involves œrecombinant DNA or œgene splicing, in 
which genetic material from one organism is inserted into the genes 
of another. Sometimes, the two organisms are members of different 
species. 
C. Business leaders
Percent N Value Label
4.2 37 1 very well
8.0 71 2
25.5 225 3
32.2 285 4
30.1 266 5 not at all


52 .d don't know


67,910 .i iap


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
medagrgmmed researcher: agreement on effect of genetically modified food
Text of this Question or Item
Please look at Card B16. (On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means œNear 
complete agreement and 5 means œNo agreement at all) to what 
extent Do medical researchers agree on the risks and benefits of 
genetically modified foods?
Percent N Value Label
9.3 76 1 near complete agreement
22.1 180 2
46.9 382 3
12.4 101 4
9.3 76 5 no agreement at all


121 .d don't know


67,910 .i iap


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
medinfgminfluence on restricting gmf by medical researcher's
Text of this Question or Item
Some say that the government should restrict the sale of genetically 
modified foods. Others say there is no need for such restrictions. 
Please look at Card B17. How much influence should each of the 
following groups have in deciding whether to restrict the sale of 
genetically modified foods? 
A. Medical researchers. (Would you say a great deal of influence, a 
fair amount, a little influence, or none at all?
Percent N Value Label
43.6 387 1 a great deal of influence
41.8 371 2 a fair amount
11.2 99 3 a little influence
3.4 30 4 none at all


49 .d don't know


67,910 .i iap


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
polinfgminfluence on restricting gmf by elected officials
Text of this Question or Item
Some say that the government should restrict the sale of genetically 
modified foods. Others say there is no need for such restrictions. 
Please look at Card B17. How much influence should each of the 
following groups have in deciding whether to restrict the sale of 
genetically modified foods? 
B. Elected officials. (Would you say a great deal of influence, a 
fair amount, a little influence, or none at all?
Percent N Value Label
8.1 72 1 a great deal of influence
30.9 273 2 a fair amount
38.3 339 3 a little influence
22.6 200 4 none at all


52 .d don't know


67,910 .i iap


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
bizinfgminfluence on restricting gmf by business leaders
Text of this Question or Item
Some say that the government should restrict the sale of genetically 
modified foods. Others say there is no need for such restrictions. 
Please look at Card B17. How much influence should each of the 
following groups have in deciding whether to restrict the sale of 
genetically modified foods? 
C. Business leaders. (Would you say a great deal of influence, a fair 
amount, a little influence, or none at all?
Percent N Value Label
4.6 41 1 a great deal of influence
17.7 156 2 a fair amount
41.8 369 3 a little influence
35.9 317 4 none at all


53 .d don't know


67,910 .i iap


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
medbstgmbest policy on gmf vs narrow interest: medical researcher
Text of this Question or Item
Please look at Card B18. When making policy recommendations about 
genetically modified foods, to what extent do you think the following 
groups would support what is best for the country as a whole or what 
serves their own narrow interests? 
INSTRUCTION: IF ASKED WHAT NARROW INTEREST MEANS: Well, someone might 
gain financially if a certain policy were adopted or it might advance 
his or her career. 
A. Medical researchers
Percent N Value Label
35.0 311 1 what is best for the country
30.3 269 2
20.8 185 3
7.2 64 4
6.6 59 5 own narrow interests


48 .d don't know


67,910 .i iap


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
polbstgmbest policy on gmf vs narrow interest: elected official
Text of this Question or Item
Please look at Card B18. When making policy recommendations about 
genetically modified foods, to what extent do you think the following 
groups would support what is best for the country as a whole or what 
serves their own narrow interests? 
INSTRUCTION: IF ASKED WHAT NARROW INTEREST MEANS: Well, someone might 
gain financially if a certain policy were adopted or it might advance 
his or her career. 
B. Elected officials
Percent N Value Label
7.1 63 1 what is best for the country
10.1 89 2
32.1 284 3
25.9 229 4
24.8 219 5 own narrow interests


52 .d don't know


67,910 .i iap


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
bizbstgmbest policy on gmf vs narrow interest: business leader
Text of this Question or Item
Please look at Card B18. When making policy recommendations about 
genetically modified foods, to what extent do you think the following 
groups would support what is best for the country as a whole or what 
serves their own narrow interests? 
INSTRUCTION: IF ASKED WHAT NARROW INTEREST MEANS: Well, someone might 
gain financially if a certain policy were adopted or it might advance 
his or her career. 
C. Business leaders
Percent N Value Label
2.9 26 1 what is best for the country
4.8 42 2
25.3 223 3
33.4 295 4
33.6 297 5 own narrow interests


53 .d don't know


67,910 .i iap


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
eatgmr's view about eating genetically modified foods
Text of this Question or Item
Please look at Card B18. When making policy recommendations about 
genetically modified foods, to what extent do you think the following 
groups would support what is best for the country as a whole or what 
serves their own narrow interests? 
INSTRUCTION: IF ASKED WHAT NARROW INTEREST MEANS: Well, someone might 
gain financially if a certain policy were adopted or it might advance 
his or her career. 
D. Which statement best describes your own view about eating foods 
that have been genetically modified?
Percent N Value Label
15.4 139 1 dont care whether or not food has been genetically modified
53.0 479 2 willing to eat but would prefer unmodified foods
31.6 285 3 will not eat genetically modified food


33 .d don't know


67,910 .i iap


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
sciimp1how important: done by scientists in univer'sity settings
Text of this Question or Item
Now Im going to read you some statements about science and 
scientists. Please look at Card B19. How important are each of the 
following in making something scientific? 
A. It is done by scientists employed in a university setting. Would 
you say this is very important, pretty important, not too important, 
or not important at all in making something scientific?
Percent N Value Label
33.5 599 1 very important
47.3 846 2 pretty important
14.6 261 3 not too important
4.5 81 4 not important at all


71 .d don't know


66,982 .i iap


6 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
sciimp2how important: having advanced degrees in their fields
Text of this Question or Item
Now Im going to read you some statements about science and 
scientists. Please look at Card B19. How important are each of the 
following in making something scientific? 
B. The people who do it have advanced degrees in their field. (Would 
you say this is very important, pretty important, not too important, 
or not important at all in making something scientific?
Percent N Value Label
64.0 1,153 1 very important
29.4 530 2 pretty important
5.1 91 3 not too important
1.5 27 4 not important at all


57 .d don't know


66,982 .i iap


6 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
sciimp3how important: conclusion based on solid evidence
Text of this Question or Item
Now Im going to read you some statements about science and 
scientists. Please look at Card B19. How important are each of the 
following in making something scientific? 
C. The conclusions are based on solid evidence. (Would you say this 
is very important, pretty important, not too important, or not 
important at all in making something scientific?
Percent N Value Label
81.6 1,474 1 very important
15.3 277 2 pretty important
2.0 36 3 not too important
1.1 20 4 not important at all


51 .d don't know


66,982 .i iap


6 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
sciimp4how important: examining different interpretation of results
Text of this Question or Item
Now Im going to read you some statements about science and 
scientists. Please look at Card B19. How important are each of the 
following in making something scientific? 
D. The researchers carefully examine different interpretations of the 
results, even ones they disagree with. (Would you say this is very 
important, pretty important, not too important, or not important at 
all in making something scientific?
Percent N Value Label
74.8 1,334 1 very important
21.5 384 2 pretty important
2.7 48 3 not too important
1.0 17 4 not important at all


75 .d don't know


66,982 .i iap


6 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
sciimp5how important: results consistent with religious beliefs
Text of this Question or Item
Now Im going to read you some statements about science and 
scientists. Please look at Card B19. How important are each of the 
following in making something scientific? 
E. The results of the research are consistent with religious beliefs. 
(Would you say this is very important, pretty important, not too 
important,or not important at all in making something scientific?)
Percent N Value Label
11.0 196 1 very important
16.6 295 2 pretty important
32.2 571 3 not too important
40.2 713 4 not important at all


81 .d don't know


66,982 .i iap


8 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
sciimp6how important: results consistent with common sense
Text of this Question or Item
Now Im going to read you some statements about science and 
scientists. Please look at Card B19. How important are each of the 
following in making something scientific? 
F. The results of the research are consistent with common sense. 
(Would you say this is very important,pretty important, not too 
important, or not important at all in making something scientific?)
Percent N Value Label
40.8 732 1 very important
35.6 638 2 pretty important
15.2 272 3 not too important
8.5 152 4 not important at all


64 .d don't know


66,982 .i iap


6 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
sciimp7how important: repeating experiment & finding same result
Text of this Question or Item
Now Im going to read you some statements about science and 
scientists. Please look at Card B19. How important are each of the 
following in making something scientific? 
G. Other scientists repeat the experiment, and find similar results. 
(Would you say this is very important, pretty important, not too 
important, or not important at all in making something scientific?)
Percent N Value Label
68.4 1,223 1 very important
27.3 489 2 pretty important
3.2 57 3 not too important
1.1 19 4 not important at all


70 .d don't know


66,982 .i iap


6 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
sciimp8how important: research takes place in a laboratory
Text of this Question or Item
Now Im going to read you some statements about science and 
scientists. Please look at Card B19. How important are each of the 
following in making something scientific? 
H. The research takes place in a laboratory. (Would you say this is 
very important, pretty important, not too important, or not important 
at all in making something scientific?)
Percent N Value Label
42.6 761 1 very important
32.4 579 2 pretty important
20.1 359 3 not too important
4.9 88 4 not important at all


70 .d don't know


66,982 .i iap


7 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
socscihow scientific: sociology
Text of this Question or Item
Please look at Card B20. How scientific are each of the following 
fields? If you have not heard of a particular field, just say you 
havent heard of it 
A. Sociology. Is sociology very scientific, pretty scientific, not 
too scientific, or not scientific at all?
Percent N Value Label
9.6 213 1 very scientific
41.8 924 2 pretty scientific
31.4 694 3 not too scientific
8.3 184 4 not scientific at all
8.8 194 5 haven't heard of it (volunteered)


141 .d don't know


66,485 .i iap


11 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
physcscihow scientific: physics
Text of this Question or Item
Please look at Card B20. How scientific are each of the following 
fields? If you have not heard of a particular field, just say you 
havent heard of it 
B. Physics. Is physics very scientific, pretty scientific, not too 
scientific, or not scientific at all?
Percent N Value Label
70.7 1,593 1 very scientific
22.0 496 2 pretty scientific
3.5 80 3 not too scientific
1.0 23 4 not scientific at all
2.8 62 5 haven't heard of it (volunteered)


97 .d don't know


66,485 .i iap


10 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
histscihow scientific: history
Text of this Question or Item
Please look at Card B20. How scientific are each of the following 
fields? If you have not heard of a particular field, just say you 
havent heard of it 
C. History. Is history very scientific, pretty scientific, not too 
scientific, or not scientific at all?
Percent N Value Label
11.3 257 1 very scientific
21.8 498 2 pretty scientific
38.5 879 3 not too scientific
28.1 641 4 not scientific at all
0.3 7 5 haven't heard of it (volunteered)


70 .d don't know


66,485 .i iap


9 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
accntscihow scientific: accounting
Text of this Question or Item
Please look at Card B20. How scientific are each of the following 
fields? If you have not heard of a particular field, just say you 
havent heard of it 
D. Accounting. Is accounting very scientific, pretty scientific, not 
too scientific, or not scientific at all?
Percent N Value Label
13.4 368 1 very scientific
20.9 576 2 pretty scientific
32.8 903 3 not too scientific
32.4 892 4 not scientific at all
0.6 16 5 haven't heard of it (volunteered)


100 .d don't know


65,980 .i iap


11 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
bioscihow scientific: biology
Text of this Question or Item
Please look at Card B20. How scientific are each of the following 
fields? If you have not heard of a particular field, just say you 
havent heard of it 
E. Biology. Is biology very scientific, pretty scientific, not too 
scientific, or not scientific at all?
Percent N Value Label
71.6 1,638 1 very scientific
24.2 553 2 pretty scientific
2.6 60 3 not too scientific
0.9 20 4 not scientific at all
0.7 17 5 haven't heard of it (volunteered)


65 .d don't know


66,485 .i iap


8 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
econscihow scientific: economics
Text of this Question or Item
Please look at Card B20. How scientific are each of the following 
fields? If you have not heard of a particular field, just say you 
havent heard of it 
F. Economics. Is economics very scientific, pretty scientific, not 
too scientific, or not scientific at all?
Percent N Value Label
16.6 375 1 very scientific
36.6 827 2 pretty scientific
31.9 721 3 not too scientific
13.7 310 4 not scientific at all
1.2 28 5 haven't heard of it (volunteered)


92 .d don't know


66,485 .i iap


8 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
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