[Perspectives on Evaluating Federally Sponsored Research and Development in the United States]

Personal views were presented in a speech on the evaluation of Government-sponsored research and development. The speaker noted that, in the United States, there is little central planning and direction in the evaluation of Government-sponsored research and development. A number of different agencies consider the proposals of individual scientists and research institutions. Peer review is used extensively, especially to evaluate basic and generic applied research and potential contributions to the science and technology base. In mission-targeted research and development, relevance to mission objectives, timeliness, potential utility of results, and risk assessment are important added dimensions. Methods for evaluating mission-targeted research and development vary; however, fundamental precepts which apply generally include: (1) defining goals, bases for comparison, and criteria; (2) involving potential users from the start of a project; (3) developing essential information and performance measures; and (4) using an independent evaluation team not involved in program implementation. The speaker concluded that better evaluations would allow policymakers to: (1) determine how to allocate research and development resources among performers and fields of science on the basis of past performance and the potential for future achievements; (2) balance direct Government funding for research and development with indirect incentives to the private sector such as regulations and tax incentives; and (3) organize Federal agencies to more effectively foster research and development.