Section 16
Science and Technology
This section presents statistics on scien-
tific, engineering, and technological
resources, with emphasis on patterns of
research and development (R&D) funding
and on scientific, engineering, and techni-
cal personnel; education; and employ-
ment. Also included are statistics on
space program outlays and accomplish-
ments. Principal sources of these data are
the National Science Foundation (NSF) and
the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA).
NSF gathers data chiefly through recur-
ring surveys. Current NSF publications
containing data on funds for research and
development and on scientific and engi-
neering personnel include detailed statis-
tical tables; issue briefs; and annual, bien-
nial, triennial, and special reports. Titles
or the areas of coverage of these reports
include the following: Science and Engi-
neering Indicators; National Patterns of
R&D Resources; Women, Minorities, and
Persons with Disabilities in Science and
Engineering—science and technology data
presented in chart and tabular form in a
pocket-sized publication—Federal Funds
for Research and Development; Federal
R&D Funding by Budget Function; Federal
Support to Universities, Colleges, and
Selected Nonprofit Institutions; Research
and Development in Industry; R&D expen-
ditures and graduate enrollment and sup-
port in academic science and engineering;
and characteristics of doctoral scientists
and engineers and of recent graduates in
the United States. Statistical surveys in
these areas pose problems of concept and
definition and the data should therefore
be regarded as broad estimates rather
than precise, quantitative statements. See
sources for methodological and technical
details.
The National Science Board’s biennial
Science and Engineering Indicators con-
tains data and analysis of international
and domestic science and technology,
including measures of inputs and outputs.
The Budget of the United States Govern-
ment, published by the U.S. Office of Man-
agement and Budget, contains summ