Linda Kimmel Pifer’s research while affiliated with Sauk Valley Community College and other places

Young American adults' assessment of the risks associated with nuclear power was examined by using data from the Longitudinal Study of American Youth (LSAY). A structural equation model was estimated using LISREL8 to examine the development of young adults' attitudes toward nuclear power. Many factors that have been associated with general attitudes toward science and technology were found to have no effect on young adults' assessment of the risks of nuclear power. Science achievement, academic science attitudes, and enrolment in high school and college science courses were found to have no effect on young adults' attitudes. Twelfth grade students who believed that the risks of nuclear power were relatively low were more likely to hold the same beliefs as young adults. Plans to have a career in science, mathematics, or engineering in grade twelve had the second greatest total effects, while gender's total effects were nearly identical in magnitude. Partisan identification had the fourth greatest total effects on attitudes about the risks of nuclear power. Peer science push, parent college push, parent science push, and parent education had lesser, but significant effects on the attitudes of young adults about the risks of nuclear power.

Young adults' attitudes toward the use of animals in scientific research were examined by using data from the Longitudinal Study of American Youth (LSAY). A structural equation model was estimated using LISREL8 to examine the development of these attitudes. Gender was found to have the greatest total effect on opposition to animal research, while feminist attitudes had the second greatest total effect. Feminist attitudes, 10th grade science achievement, adult scientific literacy, general attitudes toward science, partisan affiliation, and a number of early home influences each explained part, but not all of the gender difference in attitudes about scientific research.

This study examines the relative stability of adolescent attitudes towards animal research, using data from the Longitudinal Study of American Youth (LSAY). The majority of adolescents were found to have either uncertain or unstable attitudes towards animal research. Five groups of students were studied: consistent supporters of animal research, consistent opponents of animal research, those who were uncertain about their position, those who moved from support to opposition, and those who moved from opposition to support. The greatest distinguishing feature between opponents and supporters of animal research was gender. Opponents of animal research were predominantly female, while supporters were predominantly male. The study also examined the relationship between attitudes towards animal research and science achievement, science course enrolment, parent education, environmental interest, and feminism.

A comparative analysis was made of the public's attitudes toward the use of animals in scientific research in 15 different nations. The intensity of opposition to animal research was found to vary from relatively low levels in Japan and the United States to much higher levels in France, Belgium, and Great Britain. More women than men were opposed to animal research in all 15 nations. Scientific knowledge, or the lack of knowledge, was not found to have a consistent relationship with attitudes toward animal research. Concern about the environment was found to be related to opposition to animal research in some western European nations, in particular West Germany. Cluster analysis was used to group the nations into four patterns based on intensity of opposition, level of opposition, gender differences in opposition, and the relationship between attitudes toward animal research and both environmental concern and scientific knowledge.