Provincial Research Organizations (PRO)

This survey collects data which are essential to assure the availability of pertinent statistical information to monitor science and technology related activities in Canada and to support the development of science and technology policy. 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).

Detailed information for 2002

Data release – 2003 forecast expenditures and 2002 actual expenditures, both based on the 2002 questionnaire, released September 6, 2005, cat. no. 88F0006XIE2005011, (free).

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

Description

The survey collects data on expenditures and personnel from the provincial and territorial research organizations. The information is used by science policy analysts in the federal and provincial governments and by the private sector to monitor provincial science and technology related activities in Canada and to support the development of science and technology policy. The data are also a component of the national series Gross Expenditures on Research and Development (GERD).

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 (R&D) comprise creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of people, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications.

Subjects

• Research and development
• Science and technology

Data sources and methodology

• Target population
• Instrument design
• Sampling
• Data sources
• Error detection
• Imputation
• Quality evaluation
• Disclosure control
• Revisions and seasonal adjustment

Target population

The target population consists of the seven provincial and territorial research organizations.

Instrument design

This questionnaire is designed to cover inputs to science and technology (S&T) related activities including source of funds, type of expenditures, expenditures by activity and by application and personnel engaged in S&T work. The questionnaire was developed to conform to the guidelines established by the OECD in the Frascati Manual (2002).

Sampling

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

Data are collected for all units of the target population; therefore, no sampling is done.

Data sources

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents.

The provincial research organizations are surveyed annually. All are organizations involved in scientific activities of their own respective provinces. The questionnaire is mailed out and processed for dissemination by Statistics Canada.

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

Error detection

Data are edited to ensure internal and historical logic and consistency. Expenditures and personnel data are not based on standard accounts or classifications and inputs. Respondents must generally estimate for science activities. Provincial research organisations (PROs) are totally scientific, therefore aggregates are assured of being correct.

Imputation

Missing data are imputed manually using internal ratios or previous returns.

Quality evaluation

Data quality control procedures are performed during the survey process at a micro level, and during data amalgamation to provide the overall provincial scientific and technological activities, personnel data as well as the gross expenditures on research and development. Example of data quality procedure includes year to year comparison or historical trend analysis on scientific objectives and expenditures of each provincial research organization (PRO).

Historical trend analysis is also conducted during the preparation of Science Statistics: Scientific and Technological Activities of Provincial Governments and Provincial Research Organizations.

Disclosure control

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Various confidentiality rules are applied to all data that are released or published to prevent the publication or disclosure of any information deemed confidential. If necessary, data are suppressed to prevent direct or residual disclosure of identifiable data.

Revisions and seasonal adjustment

When any historical revisions are necessary they are normally provided by the respondent.

Data accuracy

As the data results are published in Scientific and Technological Activities of Provincial Governments and Provincial Research Organizations which includes other provincial government surveys, the main variables must be consistent with the concepts and definition of scientific activities used in all the surveys. The concepts and definitions are found in the Frascati manual which was developed by the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development).

Data must reflect the period for which the scientific expenditures were incurred, to be consistent with the other surveys.

All edits must be completed, and follow-up issues resolved before the data amalgamation.