The poll by Viewsbank also showed that 64 per cent of people would support the extraction of shale gas if it created jobs, and 65 per cent would back it if it was proved to be important for delivering future energy needs.
The support for the extraction of the unconventional gas varied depending on where the process took place, with only 16 per cent saying they would definitely support fracking near where they live.
This increased to 31 per cent if it took place somewhere else in the UK, with 36 per cent happy for fracking to take place overseas.
A total of 41 per cent of respondents said they would need to know more beofre they would support fracking near to wher they live.
However, only 39 per cent of respondents said they thought fracking would lead to lower energy bills, and 42 per cent said they believed it would cause environmental damage.
The study also found that the public knowledge on fracking was low, with just 9 per cent saying they were “well informed” about the process and 25 per cent said they has never heard of it.
The research showed that 48 per cent said they knew “a bit” about fracking, while 18 per cent said they had heard of it but knew “nothing about it”.
David Black of Viewsbank said: “The fracking debate has been widely aired in the media but it is clear that people do not consider themselves particularly well-informed. Proponents and opponents can both take positives from the research.
“Many remain undecided but there is a definite undercurrent that people are happy to support fracking just as long as it is not in their backyard.”
Ken Cronin, chief executive of the UK Onshore Operators Group (UKOOG), said: “The survey by Viewsbank is interesting in that it indicates that the majority of people are either in favour of shale gas exploration or have an open mind towards exploration activity in their local area.
“The onshore oil and gas industry is committed to engaging with local communities to ensure that that shale gas can be extracted with the minimum of impact to the environment and to people’s everyday lives.”