SRS Nuggets


Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System (SESTAT)
(SRS Staff, Compuware (Paul Arnest) DIS-9616871 and DIS-0226462)

SESTAT

Made major improvements in Scientists and Engineers Data System (SESTAT), the on-line data system that provides public access to data collected through NSF's several surveys of scientists and engineers. These improvements not only made the system much easier to use but also added new features that increased the capabilities and usefulness of the system. SESTAT is widely used by researchers not only in the academic world, but also by those in professional and policy arenas.
Back to top

Improvements in Science and Engineering Indicators—2002
(SRS Staff, Compuware (Paul Arnest), and OmniStudio (Eileen Kessler) DIS-0227253 (task C-12), and Purchase Orders D000088 and D000153)

Science and Engineering: Indicators 2002

Improved the accessibility and readability of both the electronic and hard copy releases of the biennial NSB report, Science and Engineering Indicators-2002. Increased the availability of the report on the web site and on CD-ROM (both standard and mini formats). Nearly 900 standard-size CD-ROMs were requested and over 2,000 of the minis were distributed in only the first two months after release. Reduce printing and mailing costs by reducing the print run for volume 1 by 30 percent, from 18,000 for 2000 to 12,000 copies for 2002. (The run for volume 2 was unchanged at 4,000).
Back to top

Division of Science Resources Statistics Web Site
(SRS Staff )

Science Resources Statistics website

More than 800,000 visitor sessions were recorded during only the first 7 months of FY 2002 for the Division of Science Resources Statistics' web site (http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/start.htm). In that same time period, the Division added more than 30 statistical and analytic reports to the site covering topics ranging from the size of the Federal R&D budget to the number of science and engineering doctorate degrees awarded by U.S. universities. Continuing site improvement efforts increase public access to science statistics, enhance awareness of science and technology, and improve timeliness of data release.
Back to top

A Survey of Undergraduate Programs in the Mathematics and Statistical Sciences in the United States and the Publication of a Statistical Abstract of the Results
(James Maxwell, American Mathematical Society and David Lutzer, College of William and Mary, SRS-9900736)

Funded the most recent comprehensive survey of all undergraduate mathematics and statistics programs in the United States. Survey findings included changes at the four-year college and university undergraduate level in awards of mathematics bachelors degrees (down 14% since 1995), substantial increases in part-time faculty (up 35% since 1990), and statistics course enrollments (up 45% since 1990). Notable changes at the two-year college level included a 600% increase in temporary full-time faculty and 8% drop in full-time permanent faculty since 1995; the attaining of equal numbers of male and female full-time permanent faculty; and a significant representation in algebra, precalculus, and calculus sections of classes offered at local high schools, taught by selected high school faculty, and providing students with simultaneous high school and college credits. The report comes out at a time when both the scientific community and the general public are becoming more aware that mathematics is the foundation for the other sciences. Mathematical and statistical skills are critical in computer science, physics, engineering, and increasingly in biology and medicine, with additional applications ranging from national security to meterology.
Back to top

International Patent Statistics, Methodology and Analyses
(SRS Staff and Dominique Guellec OECD, SRS-0123528)

Joined with the OECD, European Union, Japan, and WIPO to construct an internationally comparable database of triadic patents; i.e., inventions covered by patents in Japan, Europe, and the U.S. This database will allow analysis of technological innovation using data that do not suffer from distortions because of a "home market" effect, and which are presumed to be high-end because of the patenting in multiple markets. U.S. and international researchers will conduct methodological studies on the international patents database to provide the broader research and analysis communities with methodological characteristics that must be taken into consideration when working with these data. An international conference is planned for early 2003 at which initial methodological results and next analytical and policy relevant work will be discussed.
Back to top

Usability Study for SRS Web Site
(SRS Staff and Human Factors International (Catherine Gaddy) and Compuware Corporation (Paul Arnest) DIS-0227253, Task CO-12))

Science Resources Statistics website

This team began an effort to redesign the NSF science statistics web site. The redesign will be based on findings from a recently completed formal usability analysis and will focus on helping users to find the information they seek on a site which continues to increase in size and richness of offerings. This effort will proceed in a measured way, following a prototype-evaluate-revise development model. Implementation scheduled for mid-FY 2003.
Back to top

Prepared Biennial Publication - Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering
(SRS Staff)

Cover for women and minorities report

Prepared the biennial publication, Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering. The report provides a wide range of information about the current status of, and historical trends about, women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in the science and engineering (S&E) enterprise, including degrees in S&E fields, employment in S&E occupations, S&E faculty, and earnings. This very valuable report provides crucial information to all those interested in improving the representation of these groups in S&E education and employment and in monitoring progress in that endeavor.
Back to top

Prepared Science and Engineering Indicators—2002
(SRS Staff and David Cheney, SRI International, SRS-9731793)

Science and Engineering: Indicators 2002

Prepared Science & Engineering Indicators 2002. Acting as staff to the National Science Board, developed the framework, outline, and analyses for this biennial National Scinece Board report for transmittal to the President and the Congress. The report contains a broadened base of international statistics and analyses and an overview which pulls together the major themes in the different chapters.
Back to top



Improved the Quality of R&D Data Collection
(SRS Staff)

globe and pc monitor

Improved the quality of R&D data collections through a number of efforts including the following: (1) Undertook a variety of methodological activities (cognitive interviews, site visits, advisory panels) to totally redesign the legislatively mandated S&E Research Facilities Survey, in order that survey results could be more accurate and relevant for policy usage. (2) Set in place an interagency agreement with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to undertake a cognitive study on the "Development of Metrics for Service Sector R&D Data Collection." (3) Worked with OMB's Science and Space Branch to change OMB's R&D definitions detailed in Circular A-11 (used to collect R&D budget data) to be consistent with those used in the NSF Federal Funds R&D Survey.
Back to top

Improve 2003 Cycle of Surveys that Collect Information on Scientists and Engineers
(SRS Staff; Catherine P. Ailes, SRI International, SRS-9731793; Joan Michie, Westat, SRS-9731794; and Laterri Bynum, U.S. Bureau of the Census, SRS-01324453)

This group is engaged in a very wide-ranging effort to plan for, and improve the 2003 cycle of surveys that collect information about scientists and engineers, especially the 2003 National Survey of College Graduates. These activities have focused on all aspects of the surveys, including population coverage, survey content, and sample design. The results of these efforts for the 2003 surveys will include broader and more complete coverage than in the past of some key occupations such as IT professionals, science and engineering managers, health professionals, and secondary teachers. There will also be more information collected than in the past about immigrant scientists and engineers, a population of great interest to policy-makers as well as to industry and higher education. Improvements are also planned in the timeliness of release of the data from the 2003 surveys.
Back to top

Initiate Redesign of Survey of Graduate Students and Post Doctorates in Science and Engineering (GSS)
(SRS Staff)

Began a comprehensive effort, which will span several years, to redesign the annual Survey of Graduate Students and Post doctorates in Science and Engineering (GSS), which collects information on the number of and methods of financial support for graduate students in science and engineering fields. These activities will result in a survey instrument and process that will yield better information and pose less burden on respondents in the future. The information gathered in this survey is used by both university and government policymakers to monitor trends in graduate education and as the basis for policy decisions.
Back to top

Planning and Analysis for Science and Engineering Indicators—2004
(SRS Staff)

Began planning and analysis for the NSB's Science and Engineering Indicators 2004. To complement the expanded focus on internationally comparable data, the 2004 report will contain a new chapter on state-level science and engineering and R&D activities, to be developed in FY 2003. In addition, a key survey conducted for this report, the "Survey of Public Attitudes Towards, and Knowledge of, Science and Engineering," is undergoing its first thorough revision in several decades; a new survey will be put in place.
Back to top

Internationally Comparable Science, Technology and Competitiveness Indicators
(Robert McGuckin, The Conference Board, SRS-0099594)

Began a multi-year research project to develop and test internationally comparable indicators of R&D funding and expenditures. These are now calculated based on internationally comparable market baskets—purchasing power parities (PPPs). However, it is unclear how well these general market baskets reflect the peculiarities of R&D activities. The research project will provide basic information about this question. The activity will also analyze R&D data, structures, and practices of major industrial firms in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Its findings and their potential implications for international data comparability will be presented and tested at an international workshop.
Back to top

Initiated Studies to Examine Trend Changes in U.S. Scientific and Technical Publications Output
(SRS staff and Institutions to be determined)

Began a program of studies that will examine apparent trend changes in U.S. scientific and technical publications outputs in an international context. The program will examine changes in the environment for scientific publishing during the 1990s; methodological work that may influence the indicators used; the distribution of any change across fields, performance sectors, and along various quality dimensions; and the factors and dynamics that may be implicated in observed changes. The program will employ both empirical statistical analysis and various interview protocols. It will produce a series of working papers addressing aspects of the issues examined, leading to a workshop where the initial results will be presented and discussed.
Back to top

Engaged in Activities to Broaden the International Comparability of U.S. R&D Data
(SRS Staff)

Engaged in a number of efforts to broaden the international comparability of US R&D data, including: participation in broad OECD methodological survey improvement efforts by preparing background papers that are the bases for revisions of the Frascati Manual on international R&D survey guidelines and participating in an international task force to design a Standard Business Enterprise R&D Questionnaire. Also, at the request of the Bureau of Economic Analyses, continued working with and provided review of OECD Working Party on Statistics' draft Manual on Economic Globalization Indicators.
Back to top

An Exploratory Analysis of Science Parks
(Albert N. Link, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, SRS-9910785)

Engaged in a number of efforts to expand the availability of new indicators on the science and engineering enterprise, including "An Exploratory Analysis of Science Parks." This exploratory study developed a working taxonomy of science parks and formulated an econometric model to explain inter-park differences in park growth rates and to administer a survey to the nearly 400 U.S. and international science parks to understand better the history of each park's growth and its relationship, if any, to a university; and to investigate the influence of science parks on the production of knowledge within universities.
Back to top


SBE Science Nuggets



Top of page Help SRS Home