Godin B. Measurement and Statistics on Science and Technology: 1920 to the Present

London: Routledge, 2005. — 383 p.How do we objectively measure scientific activities? What proportion of economic activities should a society devote to research and development? How can public-sector and private-sector research best be directed to achieve social goals? Governments and researchers from industrial countries have been measuring science and technology for more than eighty years. This book provides the first comprehensive account of the attempts to measure science and technology activities in Western countries and the successes and shortcomings of statistical systems. Godin guides readers through the historical moments that led to the development of statistics on science and technology and also examines the socio-political dynamics behind social measurement. This enlightening account will be of interest to students and academics investigating science measurement as well as policy makers working in this burgeoning field.ForewordEighty years of science and technology statistics
Taking demand seriously NESTI and the role of national statisticians
Is research always systematic
Neglected scientific activities the non measurement of related scientific activities
What’s so difficult about international statistics UNESCO and the measurement of scientific and technological activities
The emergence of science and technology indicators why did governments supplement statistics with indicators
Measuring output when economics drives science and technology measurement
The rise of innovation surveys measuring a fuzzy concept
Metadata how footnotes make for doubtful numbers
Tradition and innovation the historical contingency of science and technology statistical classifications
The most cherished indicator Gross Domestic Expenditures on R D GERD
Technological gaps between quantitative evidence and qualitative arguments
Highly qualified personnel should we really believe in shortages
Is there basic research without statistics
Are statistics really useful myths and politics of science and technology indicators
Appendices