International Journal of
Information and Education Technology

Abstract

This is the second paper to be generated from work first presented in Rome in 2016. During 2015 and 2016 a sample of American undergraduate students were given an anonymous survey to ascertain their knowledge about global warming and climate change. The survey asked the students to indicate the degree of truth they perceived about a climate change statement on a 1-5 scale. A score of 1 meant the statement was true while a score of 5 indicated the statement was false. As a follow up assignment the students were asked to write an anonymous paragraph to further explain their understanding. Surprisingly, the scores on the survey grouped around 3.0 – not sure. It emerged from the data that the sample of undergraduates didn’t believe humans were contributing. The major surprise for the researcher was the degree to which the writing showed how this sample of college students believed anthropomorphic global warming is a hoax, a plot, or a takeover move of the United Nations. The responses are littered to references to "liberals". Examples and analysis of student writing is provided. Some parts of the previous article are repeated for framing and clarification.