Measuring output

S&T indicators emerged at the same time as governments developed an interest in assessing the value of science. This had to do with the development of science policy. Science policy developed over two periods in the second half of the twentieth century. The first was concerned with funding activities that would help build research infrastructures and develop scientific communities: “science policies concerned themselves with little more than the development of research potential.” ¹ This period lasted until the 1970s. The second period was concerned mainly with allocating scarce resources and, therefore, with choosing from among fields of science on the basis of selected socioeconomic objectives: “During the period of contracting budgets, expanding needs, and demands for more oriented research, the necessity for priorities has become abundantly clear.” ² “The increased output of scientists and engineers—in so far as it can be stimulated—is not alone enough of a rationale.” ³