The science and engineering enterprise has continued to evolve, responding over the last decade to increased economic globalization, a post-cold war military, federal budget fluctuations, and structural changes in the way science and engineering are conducted and innovations are adopted. This report suggests ways to revise the data collection activities of the Science Resources Studies Division (SRS) of the National Science Foundation to better capture the current realities of R&D funding and S&E human resources. The report’s recommendations would improve the relevance of the data on graduate education, the labor market for scientists and engineers, and the funding and conduct of research and development, and thus better meet the data needs of policymakers, managers, and researchers.

Contents

• THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
• Committee to Assess the Portfolio Of the Science Resources Studies Division of NSF
• Office of Scientific and Engineering Personnel 1998-1999 Advisory Committee
• Committee on National Statistics 1998-1999
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• Abbreviations in the Report
• EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
  • Scope of Study
  • Methods of Study
  • Ensuring Relevance and Establishing Priorities
  • Improving Data Relevance
• 1. Introduction
  • Scope of Study
  • Methods of Study
  • The Report
• PART I. SRS AS A STATISTICAL AGENCY
  • 2. History and Assessment of SRS
    • Evolution of SRS Data Programs
    • SRS Data Collection Programs
    • Assessing SRS
  • 3. Dimensions of Relevance
    • Relevance of Data Concepts
    • Data Linkages
    • Data Currency
• PART II. RELEVANT DATA FOR ISSUES IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESOURCES
  • 4. Science and Engineering Human Resources
    • Graduate Education of Scientists and Engineers
    • Issues in the Science and Engineering Labor Market
    • Data Users and External Researchers
  • 5. Research and Development Statistics: Funding, Performance, and Innovation
    • The Changing Organization of R&D
    • Data for Research and Innovation Policy
  • 6. Recommendations
    • Ensuring Relevance and Establishing Priorities
    • Improving Data Relevance
• REFERENCES
• APPENDIX A INTERVIEW AND FOCUS GROUP GUIDES
• APPENDIX B WORKSHOP AGENDA
• APPENDIX C SURVEYING THE NATION'S SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS RECOMMENDATIONS
• APPENDIX D ALTERNATIVE SAMPLING FRAMES FOR SRS PERSONNEL SURVEYS
• APPENDIX E BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competencies and with regard for appropriate balance.

This report has been reviewed by a group other than the authors according to procedures approved by a Report Review Committee consisting of members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.

This study was supported by Contract No. SRS-9802651 between the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project.