ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the definitional issues that arise in the type of analysis by relating them to the process by which productivity gains are achieved. It discusses two studies of U.S. agricultural productivity change to illustrate applications of several of these methodological problems. Specialization in research systems is often characterized as falling into three classes: basic or scientific research, applied, technological, or mission-oriented research, and development. These terms have been widely used in the general science policy literature. Research processes at all levels have two characteristics of relevance to the time-shape dimension. First, research is a time-consuming process. Second, it is a naturally stochastic process, in that research experiments and research initiatives have uncertain outcomes. Several studies have shown that research and extension investment responds to levels of production and to some extent to productivity changes.
