The importance given by romanians to research and innovation in order to ensure future development

Abstract

In this paper we will analyze to what extent Romanians are aware of the need to develop the research and innovation domains to promote progress in the coming years for Romania. The study is based on Romanians' answers to questions from a questionnaire attached to a Eurobarometer. Please note that the Eurobarometer used was completed in May 2021 and includes the opinions of 1050 adults from Romania. Basically, will be estimated the trends of Romanians' perceptions regarding the following aspects: SciSoc, NewTech, AreasRI, Explain. We specify below some details regarding the four mentioned fields of our study. So, SciSoc defines the variable attached to the answers to the question: “Do you think that the overall influence of science and technology on society is: very positive, fairly positive, fairly negative, very negative?”. The NewTech variable sets on a four-value scale the intensity of perception for the positive effect of ten new technologies on life orientation over the next 20 years. The variable AreaRI is attached to the Eurobarometer question “In the coming years, which of the following 13 areas do you think will be affected most by research and innovation?”. The answer to the question "Who is the best qualified to explain the impact of scientific and technological developments on society?" is characterized by the variable Explain. There are 15 possible answers. We defined the TREND indicator which is compatible with the classical stochastic ordering relationship between categorical ordinal variables of this study. The application of homogeneity statistical tests revealed perceptible differences of opinions between people belonging to different types of communities.