history knowledge and trust in sources december, 2011 jack jedwab executive director association for...
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History Knowledge and Trust In Sources
December, 2011Jack Jedwab
Executive Director Association for Canadian Studies
Methodology Canada This poll was conducted online in all regions of Canada with
a representative sample of 2,345 Canadians, between September 20th and October 3th, 2011.
Final data was weighted by age, gender, language, level of education, regions and household composition (with or without children under the age of 18) in order to obtain a representative sample of the Canada population.
A probabilistic sample of 2,345 respondents would yield a margin of error of 2%, 19 times out of 20.
Survey respondents were selected randomly from the LegerWeb Internet panel, which has over 350,000 Canadian households. A stratification process was applied to invitation lists to ensure optimal representation of respondents. The panelists were recruited randomly from Leger Marketing telephone surveys. Several quality control measures ensure the representativeness and accuracy of Leger Marketing’s surveys with its panel members.
Methodology International United States
ORC International conducted the survey on behalf of the Association for Canadian Studies among a sample of 1,019 adults comprising 503 men and 516 women 18 years of age and older. Interviewing fortates this survey was completed on September 15-18, 2011.
United Kingdom
ORC International conducted the survey on behalf of the Association for Canadian Studies in the U.K. with a sample of 1,000 adults 18 years of age and older. Interviewing for this survey was completed on September 16-21, 2011.
France ORC International conducted the survey on behalf of the Association for Canadian Studie among a sample of 1,001 adults in France comprising 487 men and 514 women 18 years of age and older. Interviewing for this survey was completed on September 16-21, 2011.
Completed interviews are weighted by five variables: age, sex, geographic region, race and education to ensure reliable and accurate representation The raw data are weighted by a custom designed program which automatically develops a weighting factor for each respondent. Each respondent is assigned a single weight derived from the relationship between the actual proportion of the population based on Census data with its specific combination of age, sex, geographic characteristics, race and education and the proportion in the sample. Tabular results show both weighted and unweighted bases.
Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have volunteered to participate in online surveys and polls. The data have been weighted to reflect the demographic composition of the 18+ population. Because the sample is based on those who initially self-selected for participation. }ORC International has exercised its best efforts in the preparation of this information. In any event, ORC assumes no responsibility for any use which is made of this information or any decisions based upon it.
Self-Assessed Knowledge of Our History
Knowledge of country strongest in self-assessment of Canadians
Knowledge of the history of …
My Country My Family My province or region
My religious or ethnic group
My city or town Other countries
Total Strong 72.6% 71.9% 63.9% 52.9% 56.6% 43.3%
Very strong 18.2% 23.6% 11.9% 14.0% 11.7% 6.3%
Somewhat strong
54.4% 48.3% 52.0% 38.9% 44.9% 37.0%
Total Weak 25.7% 26.6% 34.3% 42.2% 41.9% 54.7%
Somewhat weak
22.0% 21.4% 28.4% 28.4% 34.1% 41.4%
Very weak 3.7% 5.2% 5.9% 13.8% 7.8% 13.3%I prefer not to answer
.3% 1.4% 1.8% 4.9% 1.6% 2.1%
My knowledge of the history of my country
Between 18
and 24
Between 25 and
34
Between 35 and
44
Between 45 and
54
Between 55 and
64
Between 65 and
74
75 years of age
or older Total
Very strong 14.5% 11.8% 16.4% 19.3% 24.4% 21.7% 22.7% 18.2%
Somewhat strong
50.7% 50.3% 55.3% 52.4% 56.2% 58.7% 72.7% 54.5%
Somewhat weak
23.6% 30.5% 24.1% 21.7% 17.2% 17.3% 4.5% 22.0%
Very weak 8.7% 5.5% 2.6% 3.6% 2.3% 1.7%
3.8%
Age important factor in self-assessed knowledge of country’s history
My knowledge of the history of my country
What is the language you first learned at home in your childhood and that you still
understand?
TotalFrench English Other
Very strong 10.4% 20.0% 21.5% 18.2%
Somewhat strong 50.2% 56.0% 54.6% 54.4%
Somewhat weak 34.0% 20.1% 14.5% 22.0%
Very weak 3.9% 3.0% 5.8% 3.7%
I prefer not to answer .6% .2% .3%
Allophones grade themselves as high as anglophones when it comes to knowledge of country’s history
My knowledge of the history of my country Were you born in Canada?
TotalYes No
Very strong 15.9% 27.0% 18.2%
Somewhat strong 54.3% 54.9% 54.4%
Somewhat weak 24.4% 13.0% 22.0%
Very weak 4.3% 1.8% 3.8%
Immigrants grade themselves better than non-Immigrants on knowledge of history
North Americans give themselves higher Grade when it comes to knowledge of country’s histories
My knowledge of the history of my country Canada France U.S. U.K.
Total strong 72.7% 68.3% 80.2% 69.8%
Very strong 18.2% 9.9% 25.3% 16.7%
Somewhat strong 54.5% 58.4% 54.9% 53.1%
Total weak 25.8% 31.7% 19.9% 30.2%
Somewhat weak 22.0% 29.0% 17.8% 26.9%
Very weak 3.8% 2.7% 2.1% 3.3%
My knowledge of the history of my family
Between 18
and 24
Between 25
and 34
Between 35
and 44
Between 45
and 54
Between 55
and 64
Between 65
and 74
75 years
of age or
older Total
Very strong
17.1%
14.4%
22.1%
23.1%
30.9%
30.3%
45.5%
23.7%
Somewhat strong
42.2%
51.2%
51.4%
46.4%
45.8%
53.2%
36.4%
48.3%
Somewhat weak
31.6%
25.7%
20.8%
22.2%
16.9%
13.3%
16.7%
21.4%
Very weak
6.9% 8.1% 3.9% 5.1% 6.3% 2.6% 1.5% 5.3%
Knowledge of Family history rises considerably with age
My knowledge of the history of my family
What is the language you first learned at home in your childhood and that you
still understand?
TotalFrench English Other
Very strong 19.9% 21.7% 32.3% 23.6%
Somewhat strong 47.5% 49.7% 46.2% 48.3%
Somewhat weak 26.2% 21.8% 14.7% 21.4%
Very weak 4.7% 5.8% 4.3% 5.2%
I prefer not to answer .6% .3% .4%
Allophones have strongest knowledge of family history
Francophones and anglophones mark roughly similar around knowledge of province
My knowledge of the history of my province/state
What is the language you first learned at home in your childhood and that you still understand?
French English OtherI prefer not answering
Very strong 11.5% 11.8% 12.4% 20.0%
Somewhat strong 54.0% 52.6% 49.4% 6.7%
Somewhat weak 27.8% 29.2% 25.6% 60.0%
Very weak 5.1% 5.4% 8.1%
I prefer not to answer .6% .4%
13.3%
Canadians score themselves highest on knowledge of prov/region history
My knowledge of the history of my province/state/region
Canada France U.S. U.K.
TOTAL STRONG 63.9% 45.8% 58.3% 53.7%
Very strong 11.9% 5.6% 12.2% 11.1%
Somewhat strong 52.0% 40.2% 46.1% 42.6%
TOTAL WEAK 34.3% 54.3% 41.7% 46.3%
Somewhat weak 28.4% 46.7% 35.1% 38.6%
Very weak 5.9% 7.6% 6.6% 7.7%
My knowledge of the history of my religious or ethnic
community
What is the language you first learned at home in your childhood and that you still
understand?
French English Other
Very strong 5.9% 13.8% 23.1%
Somewhat strong 35.5% 38.1% 45.9%
Somewhat weak 34.2% 28.8% 20.3%
Very weak 19.5% 14.4% 6.2%
I prefer not to answer 1.2% 1.3%
Allophones highest/francophones lowest
North Americans give themselves higher grades on knowledge of relig/ethnic communities history
Knowledge of the history of my religious or ethnic community
Canada France U.S. U.K.
TOTAL STRONG 52.9% 33.1% 60.0% 40.8%
Very strong 14.0% 4.8% 17.1% 9.8%
Somewhat strong 38.9% 28.3% 42.9% 31.0%
TOTAL WEAK 42.2% 67.0% 40.1% 59.2%
Somewhat weak 28.4% 43.8% 28.2% 40.9%
Very weak 13.8% 23.2% 11.9% 18.3%
Age less a factor in knowledge of other countries
My knowledge of the history
of other countries
Between 18 and 24
Between 25 and 34
Between 35 and 44
Between 45 and 54
Between 55 and 64
Between 65 and 74
75 years of age
or older
Very strong 9.1% 6.6% 6.1% 7.6% 5.5% 4.3%
Somewhat strong
33.3% 28.9% 39.3% 34.5% 44.0% 39.3% 52.3%
Somewhat weak
39.9% 43.4% 36.7% 41.5% 41.4% 45.7% 44.6%
Very weak 14.5% 19.5% 15.1% 13.3% 9.2% 9.0% 3.1%
My knowledge of the history of other
countries
What is the language you first learned at home in your childhood and that
you still understand?
French English Other
Very strong 3.3% 7.0% 7.1%
Somewhat strong 27.0% 38.0% 45.3%
Somewhat weak 47.2% 41.7% 34.4%
Very weak 20.2% 12.4% 8.8%
I prefer not to answer .6% .3%
Knowledge of other countries highest amongst allophones lowest amongst francophones
Trust in History Sources
Internet sites least trusted as source of history information by Canadians. Museums most trusted source
Canada My trust in sources of information for history
history books history teachers and professors
Museums Witnesses from the past
Internet Sites
TOTAL STRONG
75.6% 71.4% 83.5% 72.7% 52.4%
Very strong
16.0% 12.5% 24.7% 17.3% 5.1%
Somewhat strong
59.6% 58.9% 58.8% 55.4% 47.3%
TOTAL WEAK
21.5% 24.5% 13.0% 22.1% 41.3%
Somewhat weak
18.2% 20.3% 10.7% 19.3% 34.7%
Very weak 3.3% 4.2% 2.3% 2.8% 6.6%
Similar degrees of trust in history books by four countries
My trust in history books Canada France U.S. U.K.
TOTAL STRONG 75.6% 76.4% 72.7% 79.7%
Very strong 16.0% 11.5% 15.3% 16.1%
Somewhat strong 59.6% 64.9% 57.4% 63.6%
TOTAL WEAK 21.5% 23.6% 27.3% 20.3%
Somewhat weak 18.2% 20.9% 23.3% 18.5%
Very weak 3.3% 2.7% 4.0% 1.8%
My trust in history books
Between 18 and 24
Between 25 and
34Between 35 and 44
Between 45 and 54
Between 55 and 64
Between 65 and 74
Very strong 25.7% 19.2% 20.0% 11.7% 11.7% 11.0%
Somewhat strong
52.5% 61.9% 62.9% 59.7% 58.9% 56.1%
Somewhat weak
14.5% 12.1% 12.1% 20.8% 24.6% 27.2%
Very weak 3.3% 3.7% 2.2% 3.8% 3.1% 3.8%
Youngest Canadians Trust History Books more than Oldest Cohort
My trust in history
teachers and professors
Between 18
and 24
Between 25
and 34
Between 35
and 44
Between 45
and 54
Between 55
and 64
Between 65
and 74
75 years of age
or older
Very strong 21.8% 13.5% 13.6% 7.6% 10.3% 10.7% 18.2%
Somewhat strong
52.7% 62.5% 60.6% 60.1% 58.7% 56.6% 57.6%
Somewhat weak
19.6% 15.3% 17.5% 21.9% 24.1% 24.6% 18.2%
Very weak 1.8% 4.5% 2.8% 6.4% 4.3% 4.6% 4.5%
I don't know 2.2% 2.6% 5.0% 3.8% 2.6% 2.9% 1.5%
Young Canadians trust hisotry teachers
My trust in history teachers and professors
What is the language you first learned at home in your childhood
and that you still understand?
French English Other
Very strong 13.1% 11.1% 15.8%
Somewhat strong 65.6% 58.9% 52.5%
Somewhat weak 14.6% 22.1% 20.7%
Very weak 3.3% 4.7% 4.1%
I don't know 2.3% 3.0% 5.5%
I prefer not to answer 1.0% .3% 1.5%
Francophones most trusting of history teachers
Americans most trusting of history teachers
My trust in history teachers and professors Canada France U.S. U.K.
TOTAL STRONG 71.4% 70.6% 81.3% 74.4%
Very strong 12.5% 8.5% 14.8% 13.0%
Somewhat strong 58.9% 62.1% 56.5% 61.4%
TOTAL WEAK 24.5% 29.4% 28.7% 25.6%
Somewhat weak 20.3% 26.0% 22.7% 23.6%
Very weak 4.2% 3.4% 6.0% 2.0%
My trust in museums
Between 18 and 24
Between 25
and 34
Between 35 and 44
Between 45 and 54
Between 55 and 64
Between 65 and 74
75 years of age
or older
Very strong 33.0% 27.4% 28.9% 19.3% 20.9% 17.3% 43.1%
Somewhat strong
47.8% 61.3% 57.8% 60.2% 65.0% 60.4% 47.7%
Somewhat weak
12.3% 5.3% 7.0% 13.3% 10.9% 16.5% 9.2%
Very weak 2.9% 2.9% 2.4% 3.2% 1.1% 1.2% .0%
Trust of museums high across age cohorts
Trust in Internet sites for history information low across age cohorts
My trust in history Internet
sites
Between 18 and 24
Between 25 and 34
Between 35 and 44
Between 45 and 54
Between 55 and 64
Between 65 and 74
75 years of age
or older
Very strong 6.5% 6.3% 6.1% 3.8% 4.3% 2.9% 9.1%
Somewhat strong
46.4% 45.1% 54.5% 46.1% 49.3% 42.8% 36.4%
Somewhat weak
36.6% 37.0% 27.4% 34.4% 35.0% 39.0% 43.9%
Very weak 5.8% 7.1% 6.1% 8.3% 7.2% 5.2% 3.0%
I don't know 2.9% 4.5% 5.5% 7.2% 4.3% 9.5% 7.6%
Brits most trusting of internet sources
Trust in Internet sites Canada France U.S. U.K.
TOTAL STRONG 52.4% 45.5% 41.9% 55.3%
Very strong 5.1% 3.4% 3.6% 6.5%
Somewhat strong 47.3% 42.1% 38.3% 48.8%
TOTAL WEAK 41.3% 54.6% 58.1% 44.7%
Somewhat weak 34.7% 49.2% 48.6% 40.4%
Very weak 6.6% 5.4% 9.5% 4.3%