ABSTRACT
While technological applications of science can be measured by the total level of applied research and development expenditures, the core of scientific activities is best measured by the level of effort—in real terms—in basic research. As an indicator chosen to represent the real (as distinct from monetary) level of scientific effort, scientific manpower engaged in basic research was considered preferable to a measure based on expenditures or on total manpower in basic research. The latter would introduce relative salary trends and the use of supporting personnel and other inputs into the measure, diluting its significance as an index of scientific activity. Although the choice made does not preclude problems of ignoring such factors as worker productivity, modification of skill levels, organizational changes and other qualitative factors, the result would still be a useful indicator of volume to complement available expenditure data. The estimates developed for this purpose are time series showing basic research professional scientific employment, estimated from related expenditure, and R&D employment data and the number of doctoral scientists and engineers engaged in basic research, as reported by surveys.
