Measurement and Statistics on Science and Technology: 1920 to the Present (Routledge Studies in the History of Science, Technology and Medicine) - Softcover

Godin, Benoît

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415649994 ISBN 13: 9780415649995

Publisher: Routledge, 2012

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author

Benoît Godin is a professor at INRS in Montreal, Canada. He holds a Dphil in science policy from Sussex (UK) University and has written extensively on science policy, research evaluation and science indicators.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0415649994
• ISBN 13: 9780415649995
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 384