Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Expenditure in the United State for research and development reached approximately $41 000 million in 1977. Executive agencies of the Federal Government fund over half of this figure. The Congress is charged by the constitution to oversee the executive branch of the American political system. The pervasive impact of science and technology on the economy quality of life and international relations, as well as the magnitude, complexity and sophistication of science and technology, present a major challenge to management, evaluation and oversight. The General Accounting Office - an independent, nonpolitical organization charged with assisting the US Congress in carrying out its oversight responsibilities - has expanded and diversified its capabilities to meet this challenge.

In this review the nature of the US science and technology enterprise is described with emphasis on the role of the Federal Government. Against this background, the work of the General Accounting Office and how it as I ts the Congress in its oversight is outlined and illustrated by example.

These include a satellite system for remote sensing of Earth resources, a fast breeder nuclear reactor program and computer-aided manufacturing technology. In conclusion, some of the difficulties involved in evaluating research and technology innovation are mentioned, and some current major issues involving science and technology are identified.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Government Studies Group, An Analysis of Federal R&D Funding by Function, 1969–1977, p. 3, National Science Foundation, Washington, D.C. (September 1976).

Comptroller General of the United States. Statement of Elmer B. Staats, Comptroller General of the United States, Before the Legislative Subcommittee, Appropriations Committee, U.S. House of Representatives, on Budget Estimates for Fiscal Year 1978. US General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C. (February 1977).

Comptroller General of the United States. Evaluation and Analysis to Support Decisionmaking. US General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C. (September 1976).

Lainhart

J, W

and Synder

B, R

. A Simultaneous-Parallel Approach to Testing Computerized Systems. In preparation for The GAO Review.

Procurement and Systems Acquisition Division. Land Satellite Project. US General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C. (January 1976).

Comptroller General of the United States. Draft of Report toithe Congress of the United States on Landsat's Role in an Earth Resources Information System. US General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C. (February 1977).

Comptroller General of the United States. The Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor Program – Past, Present, and Future. US General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C, (April 1975).

Comptroller General of the United States. Issue Paper to the Congress – The Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor -. Promises and Uncertainties. US General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C. (July 1975).

Comptroller General of the United States. Considerations for Commercializing the Liquid Metal FastiBreederiReactor. US General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C. (November 1976).

10.

Comptroller General of the United States. Can the U.S. Breeder Reactor Development Program be Accelerated by Using Foreign Technology? US General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C. (May 1976).

11.

Comptroller General of the United States. Manufacturing Technology – A Changing Challenge to Improved Productivity. US General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C. (June 1975).

12.

Comptroller General of the United States. National Energy Policy: An Agenda for Analysis. US General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C. (January 1977).

The General Accounting Office Appraising Science and Technology Programs in the United States

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References