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Prospects for standardising SSH data collection

Strategic Workshop: Addressing the Shortage of Data on the Social Sciences and HumanitiesStrasbourg, France

14-15 September 2010

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Outline

Methodology

Metadata

Prospects

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What does the FM tell us?

SSH covered by including in the definition of R&D “knowledge of man, culture and society”

Resolution of scientific/technological uncertainty a useful criterion for defining the boundary between R&D and related (routine) scientific activities

However, the tools developed for identifying R&D in traditional fields and industries not always easy to apply to SSH and services

Some examples which are and which are not R&D

• Including a table from the UNESCO 1984 Manual

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What does the UIS Technical Guide tell us?

SSH research tends to be under-reported

Sometimes even specifically excluded from business sector surveys and tax incentives

Situation is untenable:

• Growing importance of the services sector

• Technology transfer and community development depends on understanding human behaviour

• Development research, research on sustainable development and mitigation of climate change all rely on social innovation

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Field of science revision 2007

To deal with emerging technology fields such as ICT, biotechnology and nanotechnology

Introduced a 2-digit level

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Fields of Science (FoS 2007)

1. Natural Sciences1.1 Mathematics 1.2 Computer and information sciences1.3 Physical sciences1.4 Chemical sciences1.5 Earth and related environmental sc.1.6 Biological sciences1.7 Other natural sciences

2. Engineering and Technology2.1 Civil engineering2.2 Electrical, electronic, information eng.2.3 Mechanical engineering2.4 Chemical engineering2.5 Materials engineering2.6 Medical engineering2.7 Environmental engineering2.8 Environmental Biotechnology2.9Industrial biotechnology2.10 Nano-technology2.11 Other engineering and tech.

3. Medical and Health Sciences3.1 Basic medicine3.2 Clinical medicine3.3 Health sciences3.4Health biotechnology3.5 Other medical sciences

4. Agricultural Sciences4.1 Agriculture, forestry, and fishery4.2 Animal and dairy science4.3 Veterinary sciences4.4 Agricultural biotechnology4.5 Other agricultural sciences

5. Social Sciences5.1 Psychology5.2 Economics and business5.3 Educational sciences5.4 Sociology5.5 Law5.6 Political Science5.7 Social and economic geography5.8 Media and communications5.9 Other social sciences

6. Humanities6.1 History and archaeology6.2 Languages and literature6.3 Philosophy, ethics and religion6.4 Art6.5 Other humanities

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What do the OECD metadata tell us?

Australia

Since 1995, R&D data for SSH is separately available at the total sector level.

Earlier studies have shown that over 95% of R&D in the Business enterprise sector would be NSE. Therefore, prior to 1995, all BES have been classified as NSE.

Austria

2.4.1 Business Enterprise sector - FoS coverage (3)

“Company R&D sub-sector” (private and public enterprises): A breakdown by fields of science is not available. ”Institutes sub-sector” (co-operative and other research institutes): NSE and SSH are covered and are separately available.

Canada


NSE only.

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Denmark


Data is for the NSE+SSH aggregate.

Data is not collected according to field of science. Prior to 1996 it was assumed that all BERD could be categorised within the NSE due to the large percentage of BERD within the manufacturing industries. As the amount of R&D conducted within the service sector has been increasing it can no longer be assumed that all BERD should be categorised within the NSE fields of science.

2.4.2 Government sector - FoS coverage – same for HE and PNP

All data are available by field of science. R&D data within the Social Sciences are collected without "Psychology" and "Educational Sciences". Both are included in Humanities.

Finland


Includes both NSE and SSH but breakdown by field of science is not available.

France

2.4 Field of Science (FoS) coverage - General (2)

Data are based on the NSE + SSH aggregate (not available separately) for all sectors.

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Germany

2.4.2 Government sector - FoS coverage same for HE

NSE and SSH data are separately available. Humanities generally include educational sciences, linguistics, psychology.

Greece


Data for the NSE+SSH aggregate, but R&D activities are not classified according to FOS.

Ireland


Data for NSE and SSH separately, though SSH is considered negligible in the business enterprise sector and since 1984 has been reported as zero.

Israel


Only sub-totals NSE and SSH are available for the business enterprise sector.

Italy

Data are available for the NSE+SSH aggregate. Up through 1994, data are available separately for NSE and SSH for R&D expenditure and up to 1969 for R&D personnel.

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Korea


Beginning 2007: NSE and SSH.

Prior to 2007, NSE only. Social sciences and humanities are excluded from the R&D data.

Luxembourg


NSE (Natural sciences and engineering) + SSH (Social sciences and humanities). The business survey does not make distinctions between fields of science.

Netherlands


The survey for firms covers R&D in the Natural sciences and engineering (NSE) only.

The data for Social sciences and humanities (SSH) are for institutes serving enterprises only.

New Zealand


NSE only.

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Norway

Data cover NSE and SSH, though for the business enterprise sector, SSH reported is for the institutes serving industry, not the enterprises themselves.

Singapore


Because of A*STAR’s primary focus on NSE, the Social Sciences and Humanities are not included in the survey form. The survey form guidelines has specifically excluded SSH.

Turkey


The survey does not cover R&D in the Social Sciences and Humanities; this may lead to some degree of underestimation of the R&D in the services.

United Kingdom


Data collection in the United Kingdom originally concentrated on R&D expenditures in the natural sciences and engineering. Data for R&D personnel and in the social sciences and humanities are more recent. Data is incomplete, however, as no classification is made by field of science in the higher education sector.


Data are entirely credited to the natural sciences and engineering. Social sciences and humanities are assumed to be nil.

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United States


Throughout, humanities are excluded. Except for HERD, separate national totals are not available for NSE and SS.


Data are collected for NSE only, and credited to NSE and the NSE+SSH aggregate.

2.4.2 Government sector - FoS coverage

Data are collected for NSE and SS, and credited to the NSE+SSH aggregate.

2.4.3 Higher Education sector - FoS coverage

Data by field of science in the higher education sector are based on academic fiscal year.

SSH includes social sciences and psychology.

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What do the UIS metadata tell us?

Nothing(at least for developing countries)

• Not the first measurement priority for developing countries

• Metadata not conscientiously filled in

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What can we do?

Collect more and better metadata

Stress the importance of SSH data

• When developing methodological guidelines

• When talking to countries or helping countries

Develop more guidance and examples on SSH

• In particular in OECD countries?

• Role for NESTI?

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Thank you!

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[email protected]

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