This report examines the portfolio of research and development (R&D) expenditure surveys at the National Science Foundation (NSF), identifying gaps and weaknesses and areas of missing coverage. The report takes an in-depth look at the definition of R&D, the needs and potential uses of NSF's R&D data by a variety of users, the goals of an integrated system of surveys and other data collection activities, and the quality of the data collected in the existing Science Resources Statistics surveys.

The data presented in this report were compiled from the National Science Foundation's fiscal year 1997 Survey of Research and Development Expenditures at Universities and Colleges (academic R&D expenditures survey). They refer to science and engineering expenditures for separately budgeted R&D, which includes all funds expended for activities specifically organized to produce research outcomes and commissioned by an agency either external to the institution or separately budgeted by an organizational unit within the institution. Data presented in trend tables are assembled from the most recently completed survey cycle.