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How Can We Measure the Success of National Science Policies in the Short or Medium Term?
Author(s) -
COTGREAVE PETER,
DAVIES ROSEMARY
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
european journal of education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1465-3435
pISSN - 0141-8211
DOI - 10.1111/j.1465-3435.2005.00235.x
Subject(s) - certainty , investment (military) , strengths and weaknesses , politics , political science , public policy , private sector , term (time) , public relations , higher education , science education , public economics , economics , business , economic growth , psychology , social psychology , philosophy , epistemology , law , physics , quantum mechanics
As science and engineering are taking on an increasing political importance in a knowledge‐driven economy, there is growing need for Governments, scientists, industrialists and voluntary groups to measure the degree to which national science policies are contributing effectively to economic and social wellbeing. However, the long‐term and diffuse nature of their effects makes it difficult to ascertain with great confidence the likely benefits of particular science policies. As a pressure group concerned with the scientific strength of the UK, the Campaign for Science and Engineering has developed a series of five tests that must be met if politicians and others are to have a reasonable level of certainty that the country has robust policies in terms of public investment in research; the career structure of scientists and engineers; the system of science education; private sector investment in research; and the use of scientific advice by public bodies. These tests could be used or adapted by other nations or supranational bodies to give a broad picture of their strengths and weaknesses in science and technology policy. At present, the UK does not meet any of these simple criteria.