The problem with the measurement of “public trust in science” is thus even more fundamental than the wording of questions or the framing of results. Who can blame the respondents if they seem inconsistent? Not only can they be easily forced into a particular position by the question's wording or the choices it offers, not only are they prompted to respond in pre-specified ways by “litmus test” questions, but they are being asked to make explicit what often exists only as a tacit implication of conduct (“trust”) – thereby transforming its very significance
