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The purpose and structure of science and technology indicators creation
Since the National
Institute of Science and Technology Policy(NISTEP) published the "science and
technology indicators" report of the 1st edition in 1991, it was scheduled to
publish the 4th edition in this time. The "science and technology indicators"
has been utilized for people who hold concern in internal and external science
and technology as data which grasp science and technology activity of our country
quantity-wise and systematically. On the other hand, the science and technology
in the world after entering in the 1990s is carrying out intense change which
was not expected. when the 1st edition is created. Also in our country, while
recognition of the importance of a science and technology indicators increases
ignited by formation of the science and technology organic act in 1995, decision
of the science and technology master plan in 1996, etc., various requests are
brought near. Based on such a request, its best was tried to carry out the latest
situation of science and technology activity for whether being dawn in this
version.
By the way, only one indicator cannot express the present condition of
science and technology activity. It is because not only the science and technology
activity which is the object of an indicator goes over it intricately variably,but
also the range of the object which has a base supporting it and influence is
extensive and also in time, a long viewpoint is required.
namely, if it is going to express science and technology activity with
an indicator, It is necessary that statistics are collected from the large range
and analyze by the time series. Moreover, it is indispensable also to the comparison
with other industrialized nations in the same situation. If that is right, what
statistics should be collected and by what statistics should compare? If it
says about individual statistics, it is required that a definition is clear,
that it is reliable, to be collected serially, for comparison (for example,
international comparison) to be possible, etc. However, just this is insufficient.
It is necessary to recognize to consist of what element and it is carrying out
what structure in that the present condition of science and technology activity
of one country is grasped.
The system of science and technology indicators was developed for such
the purpose. Since signs that water flows and falls gradually from a top are
resembled, it is called Cascade Sstructure. This structure can compare worth
of an individual indicators now, and choice became possible. Since it has already
introduced with the previous version about the details of this system, it omits
here.
Composition
of this report
In accordance with a science
and technology indicators system, we are collecting and checking the composition
individual indicators of this report. However, if it gets poisoned by constituting
a report, in consideration of the ease of reading etc., it has not necessarily
carried out as the system. The report was made the following composition.
Chapter
1 Overview of Science and Technology Activity in Japan
While main things were introduced out of the indicator shown in detail
after Chapter 2, some indicators for synthetic grasp were added and science
and technology activity of Japan was surveyed.
Chapter
2 Education and Human Resources Development for science and technology
International comparison of the present condition of the mathematics
and the science education in a junior high school, ratios of students going
on to higher schools such as a high school and a university, the situation of
the desire and entrance seen by the faculty of a university, the employment
situation by the industry after the graduation from a university, the situation
of entrance into a school of higher grade to a graduate school, etc. were described.
Chapter
3 R&D Systems and the Public Sector
R&D activities of the advanced major power centering on Japan were shown
using the data of a R&D cost or a R&D human resources. It took up also about
the science and technology relation foundation which has achieved the function
as a semi- public sector for the function and activity situation of a public
sector with R&D activities of the whole country.
Chapter
4 R&D in Universities
The situation was described for the activity as a R&D organization of
an university using the indicator about a research and development cost, a R&D
human resources, etc and added also international comparison.
Chapter
5 R&D in Industry
About the situation of R&D of an industrial sector, the international
comparison which used the data of a research and development cost or a R&D human
resources, and the detailed analysis by industry were described.
Chapter
6 R&D Achievements
The result of R&D of Japan was quantitatively shown using the indicator
about a science and technology paper, a patent, and technical trade including
international comparison.
Chapter
7 Social Contribution of Science and Technology
In order to consider the influence affect economy and society of Japan
by science and technology activity, the indicator related, respectively is introduced
about technical progress and improvement in productivity, the innovation seen
from new product development, and development and its contribution of information
communication technology and life science.
Chapter
8 Public Opinion on Science and Technology
The result of the opinion poll about technology is analyzed, and national
consciousness about science and technology at large, and in each field of declaration,
information, and environment.
Chapter
9 Regional Science and Technology Activities
In order to grasp the many-sided science and technology activity in an area,
the indicator about each item of education, research and development, the technology
promotion measure of all prefectures, the result of technology activity, technology
activity and regional economy, a structural change of regional economy, was
introduced.
The
feature of this report
(1) The first step policy
evaluation type from a present condition report type
In creating the "Science and Technology Indicators" of the 1st edition,
the purpose of Science and Technology Indicators was examined and divided roughly
and it was thought that there were three models. They are the "present condition
report type" which reports the present condition of science and technology activity,
the "judged type" which judges situations such as internationalization, and
the "policy evaluation type" by which the effect of a policy is evaluated. Although
devoted to the present condition report type at the beginning, some judged type
indicators (for example, comprehensive science and technology indicator) were
developed and added after it. With this version, one step is further advanced
to the policy inclination type. It specifically examined what indicators were
required for policy decision (large meaning), and each indicator was improved
based on it. In this process, the person in charge of indicators development
did participating in the workgroup which works on a policy etc., and bore the
role of mediation of indicators development and policy decision.
• In order to grasp many subjects for policy decision more correctly,
various indicators are required and it is actually used. However, since the
room of much more improvement was in the practical use method, it tried to described
the point which it should be careful of in case data as in detail as possible,
and show the indicators for performing a suitable argument. For example, science
and mathematics detached building of youth, shortage of a researcher supporter,
appropriateness of the required level of a basic research cost and a public
burden rate, burden structure of the R&D capital of a university etc.
• By international comparison, it turned out that the indicators
which show the problem and weak point of science and technology of Japan were
important, and efforts were paid to fullness of the indicators of international
comparison, and the improvement in suitable nature.
• In the NISTP, the trend of the science and technology policy of
an overseas major power was investigated, the result was taken in, and the indicators
used in each country was enriched.
(2) Addition of a new indicators
The new indicators were added, taking into consideration the science and
technology indicators system introduced previously. An aggressive trial is also
in inside and we want to decide worth of indicators such them by accumulating
research further from now on.
• Chapter 9 Regional Science and technology activities was reformed
extensively. The most is based on original investigation of the NISTP. Since
there were little existing statistics about science and technology activity
of area, we added many indicators by original investigation, and developed the
new indicators.
• In Chapter 7 Social Contribution Science and Technology, while
the relation of the science and technology and improvement productivity was
shown,we tried development of the indicators about the innovation seen from
new product development. This indicators are completely not only new, but it
is thought possible to compare from now on.
(3) Fullness of the existing
indicators
Various knowledge was acquired by accumulation of the R&D about the indicators
after the 1st edition. Based on them, the existing indicators were improved
and it was substantial.
• It was made as clear about the limit of the statistics about science
and technology, important matter, and also shortage of further statistics as
possible. Although the recognition to the importance of science and technology
statistics is increasing, statistical fullness has not caught up. It expects
that this report is useful to these problems.
• The indicators which show development of the globalization
which was the remarkable feature of the latest science and technology was enriched.
For example, patent international application, international comparison of technical
trade, etc.
• About the comprehensive indicators, each data was improved in detail,
continuing the method to last time, and improvement in reliability or validity
was aimed at.
In addition, it tried to make an interpretation of indicators exact hard.
Moreover, It regarded so that it might become a plain description as possible.
We think that we want to publicize also generally widely in addition to people
engaged in a science and technology policy, and the report of Science and Technology
Indicators is carried to the homepage of the NISTP. Moreover, since there are
strong needs also internationally, while it translates immediately and it publishes,
it is due to carry to the homepage of the NISTEP. Finally, in order to make
it the reference at the time of improving Science and Technology Indicators,
we want to expect the opinion which does not have the reserve of the broad persons
concerned to this report.
Fujio Niwa
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