South African National Research and Experimental Development (R&D) data declared official statistic by Statistics South Africa

24 August 2006

South African National Research and Experimental Development (R&D) data has now attained national and international recognition. The Statistician-General, Mr Pali Lehohla, of Statistics South Africa has declared that the data of the 2001/02 National R&D survey meet the requirements for official data in terms of the Statistics Act of 1999.

Statistics labelled as "official statistics" must meet certain criteria. They should, for example, protect the confidentiality of the identity of, and the information provided by, respondents and be relevant, accurate, reliable and timeous.

Dr Rob Adam, Director General of the Department of Science and Technology, expressed his delight at the recognition of these key R&D indicators that underpin the Department’s R&D strategy “We really have got our measuring instruments in order and are committed to the sustainable production of these important data. The ability of government departments and business to correctly measure their inputs into R&D enhances management decision-making towards improved competitiveness”.

The Department of Science and Technology contracted the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) to perform the R&D Survey, and the Department is therefore the first member of the National Statistics System to have its data declared official statistics.

In addition the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for the first time recognizes the South African R&D data series. From July the OECD includes our country data in its authoritative publication “Main Science and Technology Indicators” that is compiled twice a year. The OECD publication includes the key R&D indicators for South Africa starting from 1983. The inclusion of the South African data is a first and provides for internationally standardised comparisons and benchmarking of our country data.

Dr Adam urged business and government alike to participate in the next R&D survey that will cover the period 2004/05 thus marking a shift to regular annual R&D surveys.