Definition:
This indicator is defined as the number of researchers (in full-time equivalent) in the national territory during a specific reference period expressed as a proportion of a population of one million.
Concepts:
Research and experimental development (R&D) comprise creative and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge – including knowledge of humankind, culture and society – and to devise new applications of available knowledge.
The term R&D covers three types of activity: basic research, applied research and experimental development. Basic research is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view. Applied research is original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge. It is, however, directed primarily towards a specific, practical aim or objective. Experimental development is systematic work, drawing on knowledge gained from research and practical experience and producing additional knowledge, which is directed to producing new products or processes or to improving existing products or processes.
R&D personnel are all persons engaged directly in R&D, as well as those providing direct services for the R&D activities. They are classified according to their R&D function: researchers, technicians and other supporting staff. Out of these, researchers play an essential role in the conduct of R&D projects or activities, by generally leading such projects (as contrasted with other R&D personnel).
Researchers are professionals engaged in the conception or creation of new knowledge. They conduct research and improve or develop concepts, theories, models, techniques, instrumentation, software or operational methods.
Full-time equivalent (FTE) of R&D personnel (researchers) is defined as the ratio of working hours actually spent on R&D during a specific reference period (usually a calendar year) divided by the total number of hours conventionally worked in the same period by an individual or a group. Accordingly, one FTE of R&D personnel (researchers) is equivalent to one individual working full-time on R&D. Thus, an individual who normally spends 30% of his/her time on R&D and the rest on other activities (such as teaching, university administration and student counselling) should be considered as 0.3 FTE. Similarly, if a full-time R&D worker is employed at an R&D unit for only six months, this results in an FTE of 0.5. It is measured by combining two variables: actual involvement in R&D activities and formal engagement on the basis of normative or statutory working hours.
For further information on above definitions, see: OECD (2015). Frascati Manual. 7th Edition.
Rationale and Interpretation:
This indicator is a direct measure of the number of R&D workers per million people, which is to be increased as per target 9.5.
