Norwegians report high levels of trust in researchers

But doubts over academic independence could cause unwillingness to follow advice, study finds

Norwegians are highly trusting of researchers, according to a report, but this trust drops markedly in situations where academic independence is called into question.

The report, commissioned by Norway’s research ministry and compiled by Oslo Metropolitan University, found that lack of confidence in the independence of research increases when academic environments are perceived as political, or when research results go against societal interests and values. Generally, trust in research-based knowledge depends on the external perception of research integrity.