Federal Science Expenditures and Personnel, Activities in the Social Sciences and Natural Sciences

Detailed information for 1998-1999

This survey collects financial and operating data on expenditures and full-time equivalent personnel on the scientific activities of Federal Government Public Administration in Canada.

• Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s)
• Description
• Data sources and methodology

Description

This survey collects science and technology data describing the actual, preliminary and intentions of federal resources allocated to the social sciences and humanities as well as the natural sciences and engineering.

The data collected are used by federal and provincial science policy analysts, and are also part of the gross domestic expenditures on research and development (GERD). The information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

Statistical activity

Science and technology (S&T) and the information society are changing the way we live, learn and work. The concepts are closely intertwined: science generates new understanding of the way the world works, technology applies it to develop innovative products and services and the information society is one of the results of the innovations.

People are looking to Statistics Canada to measure and explain the social and economic impacts of these changes.

The purpose of this Program is to develop useful indicators of S&T activity in Canada based on a framework that ties them together in a coherent picture.

Research and experimental development includes systematic creative work to increase the body of knowledge, including knowledge of people, cultures and societies, and the use of this body of knowledge to create new applications.

Reference period: Fiscal year

Collection period: September to January

Subjects

• Government
• Human resources in science and technology
• Research and development
• Science and technology

Data sources and methodology

Target population

Federal Government departments, agencies, commissions, boards and crown corporations either performing Science & Technology (S&T) activities or have a budgetary allocation to fund S&T.

Instrument design

This questionnaire is designed to cover inputs to research and development (R&D) and related scientific activities (RSA) including source of funds, expenditures by activity, performer, socio-economic objective, and region as well as personnel engaged in science and technology. The latest revision to the questionnaire was done in 2000. The form was developed to conform to guidelines established by the OECD in the Frascati manual (1993).

Sampling

This survey is a census with a cross-sectional design.

Data sources

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents.

This is an annual mail-out /mail-back survey to all federal government departments and agencies believed to be performing or funding R&D or RSA.

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s).