Science-related populism: Psychometric properties of the Slovak version of the SciPop Scale

Abstract

Objectives. This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Slovak version of the SciPop scale, designed to measure science-related populist attitudes. It seeks to explore its factor structure and investigate its relationships with external variables such as political populist attitudes, trust in science, distrust of experts and perception of science.
Sample and settings. Data collection was conducted in August 2023 through an online panel of a local research agency. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was secured from 643 Slovak participants. Quota sampling ensured demographic representation based on gender, age, education, and regional affiliation.
Statistical analyses. Factor structure was examined using MIMIC model with ML estimator in the R software. Measurement invariance across gender, age and education groups was assessed. Correlations with selected constructs were examined.
Results. The findings indicate that the Slovak version of the SciPop scale exhibits robust psychometric properties, including a four-dimensional factor structure and measurement invariance across gender, age, and education. Significant associations of science-related populism with political populist attitudes, trust in science, distrust of experts, and perceptions of science were confirmed.
Limitations. Limitations include the use of an online sample, which may not fully represent certain population groups, and reliance on self-report measures. To ensure the scale’s stability and generalizability, further validation on diverse datasets and test-retest reliability assessments are recommended.