Abstract
We outline the tasks of the UK Advisory Board for the Research Councils in the context of the country's science policy, and describe a programme of science policy studies developed by the Board in response to a growing need to take a strategic view in science policy decisions. The outcomes of the studies which have used bibliometric techniques are briefly described, and the paper suggests how such techniques might be of use to policy-makers in future.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes and references
For general accounts see P. GUMMETT, Science in Whitehall, Manchester University Press, 1980; and M. INCE, The Politics of British Science, Whetsheaf Books, Brighton, 1986.
A history related in detail in M. KOGAN, M. HENKEL,Government and Research; The Rothschild Experiment in a Government Department, Heinemann, London, 1983.
See, D. PHILLIPS, The State of Science and Technology in Great Britain, Issues in Science and Technology, Vol. III, No. 2, Winter 1987, 73–85, and, ABRC, op. cit. note 4.
For example, B. R. MARTIN, J. IRVINE, Internal criteria for scientific choice; An evaluation of research in high energy physics using electron accelerators,Minerva, XIX, No. 3 (Autumn 1981) 408, and B. R. MARTIN, J. IRVINE, Assessing basic research: Some partial indicators of scientific progress in radioastronomy,Research Policy, 12 (1983) 61.
See D. CROUCH, J. IRVINE, B. R. MARTIN, Bibliometric analysis for science policy; An evaluation of the United Kingdom's research performance in ocean currents and protein crystallography,Scientometrics, 9 (1986) 239, P. HEALEY, H. ROTHMAN, P. K. HOCH, An experiment in science mapping for research planning,Research Policy, 15 (1986) 233, and H. ROTHMAN, ABRC Science Policy Study; further studies on the evaluation and measurement of scientific research. Report for the Economic and Social Research Council, mimeo, August 1985.
Royal Society, Evaluation of National Performance in Basic Research, Advisory Board for the Research Councils, Science Policy Study No. 1, Department of Education and Science/Royal Society, London, 1986.
B. R. MARTIN, J. IRVINE, N. MINCHIN, An International Comparison of Government Funding of Academic and Academically Related Research, Advisory Board for the Research Councils, Science Policy Study No. 2, Department of Education and Science/Science Policy Research Unit, Sussex University, 1986.
M. P. CARPENTER et al, paper in this issue.
See, for example, J. MCGINNETY, in this issue.
See, M. GIBBONS, S. METCALFE, L. GEORGHIOU, Memorandum from PREST, in Select Committe on Science and Technology, Civil Research and Development, Session 1986–87. 1st Report. Vol. III, written evidence, 279–81, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1987.
Centre for Policy Research in Engineering Science and Technology/Science Policy Research Unit, Evaluation of the Alvey Programme, Department of Trade and Industry, mimeo, October 1987.
Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development, Exploitable Areas of Science, Cabinet Office/Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1986. See also, J. IRVINE, B. R. MARTIN,Foresight in Science; Picking the Winners, Frances Pinter, London, 1984.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Phillips, D.C., Turney, J. Bibliometrics and UK science policy. Scientometrics 14, 185–200 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02020074
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02020074