Role of Technical Literature in Science and Technology Development and Exploitation

Abstract

Utilization of the technical literature in the complete science and technology (S&T) development cycle is examined. Ready access to the results of all global research performed is required in order to: (1) track research impacts, to help identify benefits arising from sponsored research; (2) evaluate science and technology programs; (3) avoid research duplication; (4) identify promising research directions and opportunities; (5) perform myriad oversight tasks; and, in general, (6) support every step of a strategic research planning/selection/management/evaluation process that makes optimal use of S&T investment resources. In addition, recent counter-terrorism concerns have highlighted the need for ready access to, and analysis of, databases that could link people with institutions and activities. In the S&T arena, this requires linking research performers with organizations, countries and technical areas. There are five necessary conditions for ready access to, and exploitation of, the global technical literature: (1)content - the research results need to be documented comprehensively; (2) dissemination - the research results need to be easily available to a wide audience; (3) extraction - high-quality information extraction methods are required; (4) utilization - the research results need to be integrated into the strategic S&T management process; and (5) motivation. The technical community needs to be motivated to use the global technical literature for planning, selection, management, review and transition. All five conditions have severe limitations today. These limitations are described, and recommendations for overcoming them are presented.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

[1] R.N. Kostoff and R.A. DeMarco , Science and technology text mining , Analytical Chemistry 73(13) (2001) 370-378A .

[2] R.N. Kostoff , The extraction of useful information from the biomedical literature , Academic Medicine 76(12) (2001) 1265-1270 .

[3] R.N. Kostoff , D.R. Toothman , H.J. Eberhart and J.A. Humenik , Text mining using database tomography and bibliometrics: A review , Technology Forecasting and Social Change 68(3) (2001).

[4] R.N. Kostoff , Text mining for global technology watch , Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science (in press).

[5] R.N. Kostoff , Stimulating innovation . In International Handbook of Innovation (in press).

[6] R.N. Kostoff , R. Miller and R. Tshiteya , Advanced technology development program review - a US Department of the Navy case study , R&D Management 31(3) (2001) 287-298 .

[7] R.N. Kostoff and R.R. Schaller , Science and technology roadmaps , IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management 48(2) (2001) 132-143 .

[8] R.N. Kostoff , The metrics of science and technology , Scientometrics 50(2) (2001) 353-361 .

[9] R.N. Kostoff and E. Geisler , Strategic management and implementation of textual data mining in government organizations , Technology Analysis and Strategic Management 11(4) (1999) 493-525 .

10.

[10] R.N. Kostoff , Peer review: the appropriate GPRA metric for research , Science 277 (5326) (1997) 651-652 .

11.

[11] R.N. Kostoff , The Handbook of Research Impact Assessment, 7th edn, DTIC Report Number ADA296021 (1997). Available at: www.dtic.mil/dtic/kostoff/index.html

12.

[12] R.N. Kostoff , R. Tshiteya , K.M. Pfeil and J.A. Humenik , Electrochemical power source roadmaps using bibliometrics and database tomography , Journal of Power Sources 110(1) (2002) 163-176 .

13.

[13] R.N. Kostoff , M. Shlesinger and R. Tshiteya , Nonlinear dynamics roadmaps using bibliometrics and database tomography , International Journal of Bifurcation and Chaos (in press).

14.

[14] R.N. Kostoff , The underpublishing of science and technology results, The Scientist (1 May 2000) 6.

15.

[15] R.N. Kostoff , Structured abstracts for technical journals , Science 1067a(5519) (2001) 292 .