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R&D Reports
The Department of Department of Science and Technology commission the
Knowledge Management research programme of the HSRC to conduct the
annual Survey of National Research and Experimental Development inputs,
according to the guidelines laid down in the Frascati Manual
This site and the attached, downloadable documents, cover the
methodology employed and the results for the five sectors covered in
the two Surveys. The 2001/02 Survey constituted the first official
survey since that of 1997/98. Following the Frascati Manual, the Survey
covered business enterprises, government, higher education
institutions, not-for-profit institutions and science councils.
Conceptual framework
Frascati Surveys have been carried out internationally
for more than 40 years, but common understanding to what properly
constitutes R&D remains somewhat problematic.
The Frascati Manual definition of R&D is as follows:
"Research and Experimental Development (R&D) is creative work
undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of
knowledge, including knowledge of humanity, culture and society, and
the use of this stock knowledge to devise new applications."
As much care as possible is taken to develop a common
understanding with the respondents of what properly constitutes
R&D.
The Frascati Manual is extensive and complex, and considerable
effort was invested in developing a User Guide, and supporting the
sector participants in completing the questionnaires as fully and
accurately as possible The Frascati Manual, however, provides a set of
guidelines, not prescriptions.
It is noted that the survey time series was both interrupted (no
data in 1999/2000) and subject to methodological variation, since it
was executed by different agencies between 1991 and 2001.
This Survey confronted the dual role of conducting the Survey in parallel with capacity building.
Measurement design
The work of the Surveys entails the development of
appropriate sector sampling methodologies (covered in the Survey
Management and Results System database). The sampling methodology and
measurement design were reviewed and approved by the DST Reference
Committee.
Breaking down of R&D performers into five sectors represents
a deliberate choice. In many OECD countries it is common practice to
combine some of the five sectors. It was decided to avoid confusion by
surveying the sectors separately as has been previous practice in South
Africa
More information on the various sampling frames for the five
sectors and survey instruments can be obtained by downloading the
2001/02 Report.
Disclaimer: Survey data may be freely used, subject
to the acknowledgment of its source. Any interpretation or further
analysis is the responsibility of the third party.
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