3. Enhancing Science and Engineering Indicators Presentation and Content National Science Board, 15 June 2005 - 13 March 2006
For this engagement, SA evaluated the NSB's key publication, the Science and Engineering Indicators (Indicators or SEI). SA's mission was to provide options for enhancing the Indicators. SA evaluated the SEI data series and indices to identify potential new data sources for inclusion in the 2008 Indicators or later volumes. This evaluation analyzed the relevance of the SEI to present and future users of the product. SA assessed the quality of each data source and provided the limitations on scope, data use and cost. Also evaluated were the text and graphic layout of the Indicators to identify potential new ways of presenting text and data. SA also reviewed the organization of the Indicators, including the logical delimiters on how the Indicators presented data, at what level of detail, the taxonomy and layers of data to enhance the usefulness of the Indicators by improving presentation and layering of information. Lastly, SA looked at the level of detail of the data series to determine how much of the data contributed to the understanding the public has of S&T. SA findings and recommendations were compiled and submitted to the NSB in a final report for consideration and action.
Dr. Steve Wax
Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer
Science & Technology Consulting
