Guide to conducting an R&D survey: For countries starting to measure research and experimental development. UIS Technical Paper; 11

Abstract

Innovation is now universally regarded as an engine of economic growth for both developing and developed countries, thus acting as an important driver for poverty alleviation. To set effective innovation policies, reliable indicators are needed to benchmark and monitor progress. Research and experimental development (R&D) is an important component of a country’s national innovation system (NIS), and R&D statistics are among the most widely- used indicators to monitor the NIS. The Frascati Manual (OECD, 2002) outlines the methodology to measure R&D. The well- established practices provided in the manual have been applied for over 50 years. Nonetheless, many developing countries continue to face challenges in conducting an R&D survey and applying the Frascati standards to their particular situations. In order to address this concern, in 2010 the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) produced a technical paper on Measuring R&D: Challenges Faced by Developing Countries (UIS, 2010), based on work carried out between 2006 and 2009. The paper provided guidance on a number of challenges that are relevant to contexts in developing countries. In 2012, this paper served as the basis for an annex to the Frascati Manual – Proposed Standard Practice for Surveys on Research and Experimental Development (6th edition) (OECD, 2012). The current report continues to provide guidance to R&D survey practitioners in countries that are starting to measure this field. It is recognised that circumstances and practices vary greatly across countries and that there is no single way to achieve a sound and reliable survey. In order to assist countries in their efforts, this report presents the relevant R&D indicators, discusses the main issues facing each of the major sectors of performance, provides a simple project management template, and proposes generic model questionnaires for the government, higher education, business and private non-profit sectors. While work continues to develop R&D measurement, the UIS welcomes suggestions from survey practitioners to make improvements to current methodology.