An improved method of evaluating science and technology research has been jointly proposed by China's Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education and other three departments.
The method divides research activities into five categories and stipulates their respective evaluation guidance and standard.
Strategic basic research concerning economic development and national security is to be judged by its innovation and practical contribution to addressing the nation's major demand; free exploring research by its innovation; basic serving research like data-collection by the accuracy, continuity and authority of the information it provides; applied research by its technological theory and potential economic benefit; and technological industrialization by the advancement, innovation and perspective of the technology.
The method encourages explorative research by putting less emphasis on the feasibility and basic research in evaluation, and by advocating moderate funds for them.
The method also encourages evaluation undertaken by both Chinese and foreign experts, the setup of evaluation-feedback mechanism and the establishment of evaluators' credit standing.
(Xinhua News Agency June 6, 2003)
