Useful Stats: Change in R&D/GSP 87-97; National R&D Patterns

The National Science Foundation has released the final version of State Science and Engineering Profiles and R&D Patterns: 1997-98 (Early Release Tables were made available in May). The special report includes several statistical tables of value to states developing Innovation Indices, S&T Report Cards, or other comparative studies.

The report provides easy 30 statistics for each state as well as the distribution of federal R&D obligations by department and performer in each state. Of special note in the 30 page overview is Table 4 which presents the state distribution of R&D expenditures by sector and source of funds for the odd years between 1987-1997. Trends in R&D activity within each state are easily identified. Table 3 presents R&D intensity within each state for 1997. Intensity is measured by R&D as a percentage of Gross State Product (GSP).

Using the 1997 figure and generating a similar measure for 1987 based on Table 4 and 1987 GSP estimates, SSTI has developed the accompanying table presenting the approximate change in R&D intensity for each state between 1987 and 1997. The states are presented in rank order by approximate percent change. According to the chart, New Hampshire shows the greatest growth in R&D intensity, followed by Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, and West Virginia. Oregon, Alaska, Maine, Rhode Island, and Nevada round out the top ten states for growth. Alabama, Missouri, Utah, Kansas, and New Mexico show the greatest decline among the states in R&D’s share of the Gross State Product.

State Science and Engineering Profiles and R&D Patterns: 1997-98 (NSF 00-329) can be downloaded from the National Science Foundation website at: http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf00329

National Patterns of R&D Resources: 2000

The National Science Foundation also has released early statistical tables for the National Patterns of R&D Resources: 2000. Included are annual statistics presenting national expenditures for research and development from 1993-2000 that are characterized by performing sector, sources of funding, basic research, applied research and type of funds. Please note, the table labeled “State expenditures for R&D, by performing sector and sources of funding: 1993-2000" presents Table 4 described above for 1987-1997. The National Patterns Early Release Tables can be downloaded from: http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/srs01401/start.htm