Soluzioni metodologiche e tecnologiche

The sampling design used in this research considers both the economic constraints and the need to refer to different scientific subjects. In our work research, three subjects were considered: Genetically modified organisms, Electrosmog, Space over 3 years (from 2002 to 2004). For each wave a different sample was selected, including people from different kinds of school and from different cities but of the same age. In this way we obtained different surveys on different topics, but comparables, especially from a structural point of view. Some questions were always the same, even if the survey was referred to a particular subject; this was done because it was our intention to obtain data on attitudes toward ethical debates and other questions linked to the scientific debate independently from the scientific subject. The result is very interesting, especially considering that for the most part of the questionnaire (including the questions related to attitudes) young people answered quite in the same way. This demonstrates that the considered scientific subjects did not influence the general questions related to the scientific debate. The three waves are different in terms of the number of interviewees, subject, place and time in which the survey was conducted. It is not possible to consider the overall sample as a representative sample of the Italian population, but this is not our aim. We prefer to have a case study instead of a representative survey but the data is useful for a comparative analysis on the preferred topics. In addition, the data was available for statistical analysis and that enabled us to produce very interesting results. Finally, only in the last application (on the Space theme) the research methodology presented the subject in a very interesting way, especially for young people participating in the initiative. We organised a 'tele-conference" in Streaming between Rome and Naples: people who were in Rome participated in the conference whit the experts on the Space theme in Naples. This was achieved through an internet connection that enabled them to actively participate in the conference. Young people were very interested in this communication methodology and seemed very involved in this initiative. The final effect was really important: all the young participants asked the experts a lot of question producing a really interesting event both for participant and the organisers.