A Review of the Draft Ocean Research Priorities Plan Charting the Course for Ocean Science in the United States (2006) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
3 Assessment of the Overall Plan
3 Assessment of the Overall Plan
Pages 18-25
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From page 18... ...
Fourth, the plan includes research priorities in the social sciences, a necessary component for improving ocean stewardship. Finally, the draft plan acknowledges the role of fundamental science in meeting the nation's needs for ocean research and development.
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From page 19... ...
The discussion of fundamental science could be more effectively highlighted as a cross-cutting element, connected to the subsequent discussion of the themes by statements that provide examples of ways in which fundamental research could lead to progress in those theme priority areas. An associated modification of the thematic discussions would then serve to close this connection and emphasize the core importance of breakthroughs in fundamental science to advancing research priorities in the themes.
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From page 20... ...
, identifies issues that will be critical to ensure success of the plan The coordination of effort among the agencies provides much of the justification for this research planning effort and cannot be overemphasized in the Implementation Strategy. In addition, the committee has a specific concern that the operation of an integrated ocean observing system will degrade the nation's research capabilities unless mechanisms are developed to transfer fiscal responsibility from research programs to operational entities.
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From page 21... ...
." Again, these are monumental scientific challenges covering a large part of physical and chemical oceanography. A priority under the theme "Enhancing Human Health" is to "understand human health risks associated with the ocean and the potential benefits of ocean resources to human health." In large part, this is simply a restatement of the theme.
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From page 22... ...
Although it may seem paradoxical, at the same time that many of the research priority statements are too broad to serve as a guide, some of the supporting text is overly prescriptive with regard to the type of scientific activity specified to address the priority. For example, supporting text under the priority statement "Understand human health risks associated with the ocean and the potential benefits of ocean resources to human health," listed in the theme "Enhancing Human Health," calls for the integration of ocean data and modeling "with epidemiologic studies to define exposures and refine risk assessments." Although this integration may indeed be valuable, epidemiologic studies may not be the optimal tool in every circumstance.
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From page 23... ...
Because of the linkages among these priorities, as discussed in Chapter 4, progress toward certain priorities will be affected by progress toward one or more of the others. It also became clear that because the 21 longer-term priorities were so broadly stated, the committee could not answer Task 3b without information about how the research priorities would be implemented.
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From page 24... ...
: Does the plan effectively link proposed S&T developments to benefits of the nation with regard to quality of life, safety and security, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and education? The committee finds that, as a result of the use of vague statements to characterize research priorities, the plan does not effectively link proposed scientific and technical developments to benefits to the nation with regard to quality of life, safety and security, environmental sustainability, and education.
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From page 25... ...
Because the 21 longer-term priorities were so broadly stated, the committee finds that it cannot determine how realistic this time frame is without additional information specifying how the priorities will be implemented. RECOMMENDATIONS To address these shortcomings, the committee has the following general recommendations: · The Ocean Research Priorities Plan should provide a bold and compelling vision for the future of ocean science research.
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