Measuring the Science and Engineering Enterprise Priorities for the Division of Science Resources Studies (2000) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Pages 1-10
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 1... ...
All of these strategiescreating a dialogue, instituting advisory committees, engaging external researchers, linking data, and improving timelinessshould be used in addressing important, current science and engineering resources issues that are described briefly below and more fully in the report. Finally, we expect SRS to meet accepted standards for statistical agencies in independence, professional staffing, data quality, and data analysis.
|
From page 2... ...
In response, the NRC created the Committee to Assess the Portfolio of the Science Resources Studies Division of NSF to identify gaps in NSF surveys and provide prioritized recommendations for addressing them. Methods of Study Given the breadth of its charge and the short time frame for this study, the committee sought to identify key science and technology resource issues to guide its recommendations in an efficient, yet informative manner.
|
From page 3... ...
Since updating the portfolio of a federal statistical agency to provide relevant data is an ongoing process, the committee examined how the operations of federal statistical agencies, such as SRS, may be structured to produce continuous renewal of data collection activities. We found that while SRS is considerably smaller than other major federal statistical agencies in budget authority, the division carries out each of the major functions of a federal statistical agency: data collection and acquisition, quality control, preparation of standard data tabulations, data analysis, publications, and data dissemination.
|
From page 4... ...
The division would expand its analytical range and promote data use by bringing researchers into SRS through a visiting fellows program and by providing grants to researchers who utilize SRS data. SRS should also monitor and summarize research using its data, particularly for its personnel surveys (the National Survey of College Graduates, the National Survey of Recent College Graduates, and the Survey of Doctorate Recipients)
|
From page 5... ...
To improve the currency of its data, SRS must continue its recent efforts to substantially reduce the period of time between the reference date and data release date for each of its surveys. Means for accomplishing this goal include using incentives for timely response, increased use of the Internet for data collection, and early release of key indicators.
|
From page 6... ...
in coordination with advisory committees for its individual surveys and the SRS Working Group of the SBE Advisory Committee. NSF should see SRS as a federal statistical agency and support the division's efforts as it strives to fully meet standards set for federal statistical agencies regarding independence, professional staffing, data quality, and data analysis.
|
From page 7... ...
To better understand these issues, they have requested additional data on graduate school completion and attrition, career expectations, educational experiences and skills acquired, student financial support, and the effect of these on graduate school and career outcomes. We recommend that SRS analyze and quickly disseminate the retrospective data it collected through the 1997 SDR on the graduate school and job market experience of Ph.D.s who received their degrees between June ~ 990 and June 1996.
|
From page 8... ...
Currently all R&D conducted by a firm is attributed to the f1rm's predominant industrial category. In an economy dominated by large, multiproduct firms, line of business reporting, if feasible, may improve data by obtaining finer detail by industrial classification and geographic location.
|
From page 9... ...
SRS should continue to investigate and reconcile discrepancies in R&D funding data obtained by its different surveys that hamper analyses of federal R&D funding. It should also complete proposed changes to its Survey of Scientific and Engineering R&D Facilities at Colleges and Universities to provide better data for assessing overhead rates at research universities and estimating future academic infrastructure needs.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.