Research

Introduction

Every two years the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) collects Research and Development data from business enterprises, higher education institutions, government and private non-profit organisations. In general, these data provide information on research activity, its nature and purpose and the resources allocated to research. The data are published by the ABS (see ABS Catalogue 8111.0 - 2004 (Reissue) Research and Experimental Development: Higher Education Organisations Australia).

The Research and Development data collected cover the following aspects of research activity, and the corresponding percentage distributions, for each Academic Organisational Unit (AOU):

• Research fields, courses and disciplines (RFCD),
• Socio-economic objectives (SEO), and
• Type of Research and Development Activity from among four classes:
  • Pure basic research
  • Strategic basic research
  • Applied research
  • Experimental Development

The data, effective as at 31 March of the collection year, are compiled by Statistical Services and are collected from two points:

• Staff and Higher Degree research student data are provided by the Statistical Services
• Research and Development expenditure and funding sources are provided by Finance and Business Services