Measuring Science and Technology

Science and technology activities are a major driver of productivity and economic growth. The OECD provides methodological guidelines, databases, indicators and policy-relevant analysis in this area, focusing mainly on R&D, patents, human resources and innovation.

What's new

Conference on Patent Statistics for Policy Decision-making

from 03-Sep-2008 to 04-Sep-2008

Organised by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the OECD, the goal of this conference is to reflect recent advances in the area of analysis with patent statistics.

Presentation of the OECD "REGPAT" database

06-Jun-2008

This database presents patent data linked to regions according to the addresses of the applicants and inventors. The data have been regionalised at a very detailed level so that over 2000 regions are covered across OECD countries. REGPAT allows patent data to be used in connection with other regional data, thus providing researchers with the means to develop a rich set of new indicators and undertake a broad range of analyses to address the regional dimension of innovation.

Main Science and Technology Indicators (MSTI): 2008/1

26-May-2008

A timely set of indicators that reflect the level and structure of the efforts undertaken by OECD Member countries and selected non-member economies in the field of science and technology.

Mapping Careers and Mobility of Doctorate Holders: Draft Guidelines, Model Questionnaire and Indicators

19-Dec-2007

Human resources are key in the creation and diffusion of innovation, and doctorate holders are not only the most qualified in terms of educational attainment, but also those who are specifically trained to conduct research. But not much is known about their paths on the labour market. This is why the OECD launched a project with the UNESCO Institute for Statistics and Eurostat to develop internationally comparable indicators on the careers and mobility of doctorate holders. This working paper presents the project's three main technical components.

OECD countries take new approach to fostering innovation, says OECD report

25-Oct-2007

More and more OECD governments are giving firms tax breaks to drive innovation while cutting their direct spending on business research and development (R&D), and are also encouraging public research organisations to commercialise their inventions, according to a new OECD report.

"Nowcasting" patent indicators

12-Oct-2007

This new STI working paper aims at designing simple but robust methods that would enable to forecast the present (or recent past) in order to improve the timeliness of patent indicators.

Compendium of Patent Statistics, 2007 edition

28-Sep-2007

This report presents various patent indicators to reflect recent trends in innovative activity across a wide range of OECD and non-OECD countries, with seven main sections: triadic patent families; patenting at national, regional and international level; patenting in selected technology areas; patents by institutional sectors; international cooperation in inventive activities; science linkages in technology.

Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators in a Changing World: Responding to Policy Needs

25-Sep-2007

Just published, this book draws from the OECD "Blue Sky II" Forum and presents policy needs, measurement issues and some of the challenges in developing indicators for cross-cutting and emerging topics in science, technology and innovation. It shares ideas to exploit existing data and develop new measurement frameworks. The debate is intended to guide future development of STI indicators at the OECD and beyond.

New patent analysis captures nanotechnology's current state of development

15-Jun-2007

This new STI Working Paper (2007/4) aims to capture current inventive activities in nanotechnologies based on the analysis of patent applications to the European Patent Office (EPO).

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STI Scoreboard

Over 200 graphs provide a comprehensive picture of countries' performance in science, technology and innovation.

OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard 2007

Editor's Choice

A comprehensive review of key trends in science, technology and innovation policy including statistics on R&D funding, patents, researchers and other indicators of innovative performance.

OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2006

Editor's Choice

In order to foster innovation in their countries, governments first need to be able to measure it. But what means do they have at their disposal? The Oslo Manual provides them with the essential methodological guidelines.

Oslo Manual: Guidelines for Collecting and Interpreting Innovation Data, 3rd Edition

Editor's Choice

The internationally recognized methodology for collecting and using R&D statistics and an indispensable tool for statistical offices around the world.

Frascati Manual: Proposed Standard Practice for Surveys on Research and Experimental Development