Public Policy and Science Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

PERSONALISED 1-TO-1 TUTORING

Need more help on this topic? Get 1-to-1 support

Get support with clear explanations, practice and feedback (Ages 5 to 16).

  • DBS-checked tutors
  • Flexible times
  • Parents can be updated
Book a free 10-min call See pricing

Want an ad-free experience? Subscribe to remove ads

What is meant by public policy?

Public policy is the set of rules, laws and actions that the government uses to deal with problems that affect many people.

How does scientific evidence help make public policy?

Scientific evidence gives facts and data about what may happen. This helps the government choose actions that are most likely to work.

Why are public policy decisions not based only on science?

They also depend on values and ethics. They also depend on costs and what different groups in society think is fair.

What is a stakeholder in a science-related issue?

A stakeholder is any person or group that is affected by the issue or cares about the outcome of a decision.

Give two examples of stakeholders in a policy about vaccination.

Examples include patients, parents, doctors, nurses, vaccine companies and the government.

Why might different stakeholders disagree about a new science-based policy?

They may gain or lose in different ways. They may also weigh up the risks and benefits in different ways.

What is the job of scientific experts in public policy making?

They explain the best available evidence. They point out limits in the data and suggest what the likely effects of each choice are.

Why can public policies about science change over time?

New evidence can appear. New technology can be developed, or public opinion and values can change.

What is the precautionary principle in public policy?

It is the idea that if an action might cause serious harm, the government should be careful or limit it. This can happen even when the science is still uncertain.

Name one way the public can have a say in science-based public policy.

People can vote, answer public consultations, go to meetings, sign petitions or join pressure groups.

Previous Topic
Back to Lesson
Next Topic