History Knowledge and Trust In Sources

December, 2011Jack Jedwab

Executive Director Association for Canadian Studies

Methodology Canada This poll was conducted online in all regions of Canada with

a representative sample of 2,345 Canadians, between September 20th and October 3th, 2011.

Final data was weighted by age, gender, language, level of education, regions and household composition (with or without children under the age of 18) in order to obtain a representative sample of the Canada population.

A probabilistic sample of 2,345 respondents would yield a margin of error of 2%, 19 times out of 20.

Survey respondents were selected randomly from the LegerWeb Internet panel, which has over 350,000 Canadian households. A stratification process was applied to invitation lists to ensure optimal representation of respondents. The panelists were recruited randomly from Leger Marketing telephone surveys. Several quality control measures ensure the representativeness and accuracy of Leger Marketing’s surveys with its panel members.

Methodology International United States

ORC International conducted the survey on behalf of the Association for Canadian Studies among a sample of 1,019 adults comprising 503 men and 516 women 18 years of age and older. Interviewing fortates this survey was completed on September 15-18, 2011.

United KingdomORC International conducted the survey on behalf of the Association for Canadian Studies in the U.K. with a sample of 1,000 adults 18 years of age and older. Interviewing for this survey was completed on September 16-21, 2011.France ORC International conducted the survey on behalf of the Association for Canadian Studie among a sample of 1,001 adults in France comprising 487 men and 514 women 18 years of age and older. Interviewing for this survey was completed on September 16-21, 2011.

Completed interviews are weighted by five variables: age, sex, geographic region, race and education to ensure reliable and accurate representation  The raw data are weighted by a custom designed program which automatically develops a weighting factor for each respondent. Each respondent is assigned a single weight derived from the relationship between the actual proportion of the population based on Census data with its specific combination of age, sex, geographic characteristics, race and education and the proportion in the sample. Tabular results show both weighted and unweighted bases.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have volunteered to participate in online surveys and polls. The data have been weighted to reflect the demographic composition of the 18+ population. Because the sample is based on those who initially self-selected for participation. }ORC International has exercised its best efforts in the preparation of this information. In any event, ORC assumes no responsibility for any use which is made of this information or any decisions based upon it.

Self-Assessed Knowledge of Our History

Knowledge of country strongest in self-assessment of Canadians

Knowledge of the history of …

My Country My Family My province or region

My religious or ethnic group

My city or town Other countries

Total Strong 72.6% 71.9% 63.9% 52.9% 56.6% 43.3% Very strong 18.2% 23.6% 11.9% 14.0% 11.7% 6.3%Somewhat strong

54.4% 48.3% 52.0% 38.9% 44.9% 37.0%Total Weak 25.7% 26.6% 34.3% 42.2% 41.9% 54.7% Somewhat weak

22.0% 21.4% 28.4% 28.4% 34.1% 41.4%Very weak 3.7% 5.2% 5.9% 13.8% 7.8% 13.3%I prefer not to answer

.3% 1.4% 1.8% 4.9% 1.6% 2.1%

My knowledge of the history of my country 

Between 18

and 24

Between 25 and

34

Between 35 and

44

Between 45 and

54

Between 55 and

64

Between 65 and

74

75 years of age

or older TotalVery strong 14.5% 11.8% 16.4% 19.3% 24.4% 21.7% 22.7% 18.2%

Somewhat strong

50.7% 50.3% 55.3% 52.4% 56.2% 58.7% 72.7% 54.5%

Somewhat weak

23.6% 30.5% 24.1% 21.7% 17.2% 17.3% 4.5% 22.0%

Very weak 8.7% 5.5% 2.6% 3.6% 2.3% 1.7%   3.8%

Age important factor in self-assessed knowledge of country’s history

 My knowledge of the history of my country

What is the language you first learned at home in your childhood and that you still

understand?

TotalFrench English OtherVery strong 10.4% 20.0% 21.5% 18.2%

Somewhat strong 50.2% 56.0% 54.6% 54.4%

Somewhat weak 34.0% 20.1% 14.5% 22.0%

Very weak 3.9% 3.0% 5.8% 3.7%

I prefer not to answer .6% .2%   .3%

Allophones grade themselves as high as anglophones when it comes to knowledge of country’s history

My knowledge of the history of my country  Were you born in Canada?

TotalYes NoVery strong 15.9% 27.0% 18.2%

Somewhat strong 54.3% 54.9% 54.4%

Somewhat weak 24.4% 13.0% 22.0%

Very weak 4.3% 1.8% 3.8%

Immigrants grade themselves better than non-Immigrants on knowledge of history

North Americans give themselves higher Grade when it comes to knowledge of country’s histories

My knowledge of the history of my country Canada France U.S. U.K.

Total strong 72.7% 68.3% 80.2% 69.8%

Very strong 18.2% 9.9% 25.3% 16.7%

Somewhat strong 54.5% 58.4% 54.9% 53.1%

Total weak 25.8% 31.7% 19.9% 30.2%

Somewhat weak 22.0% 29.0% 17.8% 26.9%

Very weak 3.8% 2.7% 2.1% 3.3%

My knowledge of the history of my family

Between 18

and 24

Between 25

and 34

Between 35

and 44

Between 45

and 54

Between 55

and 64

Between 65

and 74

75 years

of age or

older TotalVery strong

17.1%

14.4%

22.1%

23.1%

30.9%

30.3%

45.5%

23.7%

Somewhat strong

42.2%

51.2%

51.4%

46.4%

45.8%

53.2%

36.4%

48.3%

Somewhat weak

31.6%

25.7%

20.8%

22.2%

16.9%

13.3%

16.7%

21.4%

Very weak

6.9% 8.1% 3.9% 5.1% 6.3% 2.6% 1.5% 5.3%

Knowledge of Family history rises considerably with age

My knowledge of the history of my family 

What is the language you first learned at home in your childhood and that you

still understand?

TotalFrench English OtherVery strong 19.9% 21.7% 32.3% 23.6%

Somewhat strong 47.5% 49.7% 46.2% 48.3%

Somewhat weak 26.2% 21.8% 14.7% 21.4%

Very weak 4.7% 5.8% 4.3% 5.2%

I prefer not to answer .6% .3%   .4%

Allophones have strongest knowledge of family history

Francophones and anglophones mark roughly similar around knowledge of province

 My knowledge of the history of my province/state

What is the language you first learned at home in your childhood and that you still understand?

French English OtherI prefer not answering

Very strong 11.5% 11.8% 12.4% 20.0%

Somewhat strong 54.0% 52.6% 49.4% 6.7%

Somewhat weak 27.8% 29.2% 25.6% 60.0%

Very weak 5.1% 5.4% 8.1%  

I prefer not to answer .6% .4%   13.3%

Canadians score themselves highest on knowledge of prov/region history

My knowledge of the history of my province/state/region

Canada France U.S. U.K.

TOTAL STRONG 63.9% 45.8% 58.3% 53.7%Very strong 11.9% 5.6% 12.2% 11.1%Somewhat strong 52.0% 40.2% 46.1% 42.6%TOTAL WEAK 34.3% 54.3% 41.7% 46.3%Somewhat weak 28.4% 46.7% 35.1% 38.6%Very weak 5.9% 7.6% 6.6% 7.7%

My knowledge of the history of my religious or ethnic

community 

What is the language you first learned at home in your childhood and that you still

understand?

French English OtherVery strong 5.9% 13.8% 23.1%

Somewhat strong 35.5% 38.1% 45.9%

Somewhat weak 34.2% 28.8% 20.3%

Very weak 19.5% 14.4% 6.2%

I prefer not to answer 1.2% 1.3%  

Allophones highest/francophones lowest

North Americans give themselves higher grades on knowledge of relig/ethnic communities history

Knowledge of the history of my religious or ethnic community

Canada France U.S. U.K.

TOTAL STRONG 52.9% 33.1% 60.0% 40.8%Very strong 14.0% 4.8% 17.1% 9.8%Somewhat strong 38.9% 28.3% 42.9% 31.0%TOTAL WEAK 42.2% 67.0% 40.1% 59.2%Somewhat weak 28.4% 43.8% 28.2% 40.9%Very weak 13.8% 23.2% 11.9% 18.3%

Age less a factor in knowledge of other countries

My knowledge of the history

of other countries 

Between 18 and 24

Between 25 and 34

Between 35 and 44

Between 45 and 54

Between 55 and 64

Between 65 and 74

75 years of age

or older

Very strong 9.1% 6.6% 6.1% 7.6% 5.5% 4.3% 

Somewhat strong

33.3% 28.9% 39.3% 34.5% 44.0% 39.3% 52.3%

Somewhat weak

39.9% 43.4% 36.7% 41.5% 41.4% 45.7% 44.6%

Very weak 14.5% 19.5% 15.1% 13.3% 9.2% 9.0% 3.1%

My knowledge of the history of other

countries 

What is the language you first learned at home in your childhood and that

you still understand?

French English OtherVery strong 3.3% 7.0% 7.1%

Somewhat strong 27.0% 38.0% 45.3%

Somewhat weak 47.2% 41.7% 34.4%

Very weak 20.2% 12.4% 8.8%

I prefer not to answer .6% .3%  

Knowledge of other countries highest amongst allophones lowest amongst francophones

Trust in History Sources

Internet sites least trusted as source of history information by Canadians. Museums most trusted source

Canada My trust in sources of information for history

history books history teachers and professors

Museums Witnesses from the past

Internet Sites

TOTAL STRONG

75.6% 71.4% 83.5% 72.7% 52.4%

Very strong

16.0% 12.5% 24.7% 17.3% 5.1%

Somewhat strong

59.6% 58.9% 58.8% 55.4% 47.3%

TOTAL WEAK

21.5% 24.5% 13.0% 22.1% 41.3%

Somewhat weak

18.2% 20.3% 10.7% 19.3% 34.7%

Very weak 3.3% 4.2% 2.3% 2.8% 6.6%

Similar degrees of trust in history books by four countries

My trust in history books Canada France U.S. U.K.

TOTAL STRONG 75.6% 76.4% 72.7% 79.7%

Very strong 16.0% 11.5% 15.3% 16.1%

Somewhat strong 59.6% 64.9% 57.4% 63.6%

TOTAL WEAK 21.5% 23.6% 27.3% 20.3%

Somewhat weak 18.2% 20.9% 23.3% 18.5%

Very weak 3.3% 2.7% 4.0% 1.8%

My trust in history books

Between 18 and 24

Between 25 and

34Between 35 and 44

Between 45 and 54

Between 55 and 64

Between 65 and 74

Very strong 25.7% 19.2% 20.0% 11.7% 11.7% 11.0%

Somewhat strong

52.5% 61.9% 62.9% 59.7% 58.9% 56.1%

Somewhat weak

14.5% 12.1% 12.1% 20.8% 24.6% 27.2%

Very weak 3.3% 3.7% 2.2% 3.8% 3.1% 3.8%

Youngest Canadians Trust History Books more than Oldest Cohort

My trust in history

teachers and professors

Between 18

and 24

Between 25

and 34

Between 35

and 44

Between 45

and 54

Between 55

and 64

Between 65

and 74

75 years of age

or olderVery strong 21.8% 13.5% 13.6% 7.6% 10.3% 10.7% 18.2%

Somewhat strong

52.7% 62.5% 60.6% 60.1% 58.7% 56.6% 57.6%

Somewhat weak

19.6% 15.3% 17.5% 21.9% 24.1% 24.6% 18.2%

Very weak 1.8% 4.5% 2.8% 6.4% 4.3% 4.6% 4.5%

I don't know 2.2% 2.6% 5.0% 3.8% 2.6% 2.9% 1.5%

Young Canadians trust hisotry teachers

My trust in history teachers and professors

What is the language you first learned at home in your childhood

and that you still understand?

French English OtherVery strong 13.1% 11.1% 15.8%Somewhat strong 65.6% 58.9% 52.5%Somewhat weak 14.6% 22.1% 20.7%Very weak 3.3% 4.7% 4.1%I don't know 2.3% 3.0% 5.5%I prefer not to answer 1.0% .3% 1.5%

Francophones most trusting of history teachers

Americans most trusting of history teachers

My trust in history teachers and professors Canada France U.S. U.K.

TOTAL STRONG 71.4% 70.6% 81.3% 74.4%

Very strong 12.5% 8.5% 14.8% 13.0%

Somewhat strong 58.9% 62.1% 56.5% 61.4%

TOTAL WEAK 24.5% 29.4% 28.7% 25.6%

Somewhat weak 20.3% 26.0% 22.7% 23.6%

Very weak 4.2% 3.4% 6.0% 2.0%

My trust in museums

Between 18 and 24

Between 25

and 34

Between 35 and 44

Between 45 and 54

Between 55 and 64

Between 65 and 74

75 years of age

or older

Very strong 33.0% 27.4% 28.9% 19.3% 20.9% 17.3% 43.1%

Somewhat strong

47.8% 61.3% 57.8% 60.2% 65.0% 60.4% 47.7%

Somewhat weak

12.3% 5.3% 7.0% 13.3% 10.9% 16.5% 9.2%

Very weak 2.9% 2.9% 2.4% 3.2% 1.1% 1.2% .0%

Trust of museums high across age cohorts

Trust in Internet sites for history information low across age cohorts

My trust in history Internet

sitesBetween 18 and 24

Between 25 and 34

Between 35 and 44

Between 45 and 54

Between 55 and 64

Between 65 and 74

75 years of age

or older

Very strong 6.5% 6.3% 6.1% 3.8% 4.3% 2.9% 9.1%

Somewhat strong

46.4% 45.1% 54.5% 46.1% 49.3% 42.8% 36.4%

Somewhat weak

36.6% 37.0% 27.4% 34.4% 35.0% 39.0% 43.9%

Very weak 5.8% 7.1% 6.1% 8.3% 7.2% 5.2% 3.0%

I don't know 2.9% 4.5% 5.5% 7.2% 4.3% 9.5% 7.6%

Brits most trusting of internet sources

Trust in Internet sites Canada France U.S. U.K.TOTAL STRONG 52.4% 45.5% 41.9% 55.3%Very strong 5.1% 3.4% 3.6% 6.5%Somewhat strong 47.3% 42.1% 38.3% 48.8%TOTAL WEAK 41.3% 54.6% 58.1% 44.7%Somewhat weak 34.7% 49.2% 48.6% 40.4%Very weak 6.6% 5.4% 9.5% 4.3%