Table 6. Scientists' views of public understanding of a scientific process (role of a clinical trial).

Some questionnaires regarding public perception of science include questions such as these:
Imagine that two scientists want to know whether a given substance is effective against hypertension: • Scientist A proposes studying 1000 people with hypertension by giving the substance to all of them and observing how many people experience a decrease in their blood pressure. • Scientist B proposes studying 1000 people with hypertension but giving the substance to only 500 people (leaving the other 500 to follow their usual treatment) and observing how many individuals in each group experience a decrease in their blood pressure. Which of the two scientists proposes the best way to test the drug?
Do you consider that society is able to answer this question correctly?
Less than a quarter of Spanish society can answer this question correctly.	21%
A quarter of Spanish society could answer this question correctly.	55%
Half of Spanish society could answer this question correctly.	22%
More than half of Spanish society could answer this question correctly.	2%