Data on Federal Research and Development Investments A Pathway to Modernization (2010) / Chapter Skim
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4 Toward a New Data Reporting System Based on Administrative Records
4 Toward a New Data Reporting System Based on Administrative Records
Pages 48-60
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From page 48... ...
have several weaknesses, including special challenges with regard to timeliness and quality.1 These difficulties stem, in part, from the complexity of the surveys. The federal funds survey, for example, asks the responding federal agencies to enter data on outlays for research and development for three years (actual for two years prior, prior year preliminary, and current year preliminary)
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From page 49... ...
The requirements for a successful database and the challenges facing the SRS in developing this new system are then highlighted. Finally, a general plan for implementing a new vision for the federal funds and federal support data is outlined that specifically recommends planning for the transition from an all-survey to an integrated survey–administrative record approach, using demonstration projects to test various aspects of a possible transition to a system at least partly based on administrative data.
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From page 50... ...
The act requires the establishment of a single searchable website providing comprehensive information on all federal awards, to be populated by the Federal Procurement Data System, the Federal Assistance Award Data System, and www.grants.gov. The act also includes, in Section 2(b)
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From page 51... ...
This is a big order, and it does not describe the state of the various agencies' administrative records at this time. The challenge for SRS is to ensure that the administrative databases include all relevant research spending (to include intramural spending)
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From page 52... ...
This ability would be especially critical during the time when shifting from the surveybased system to an administrative records-based system, and it could be enhanced by a period of dual publication of old and new data, widespread publicity, and full discussion of any apparent discrepancies. Buy-in and Support A successful administrative database depends on the support of those who are required to input, edit, manage, and evaluate the data.
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From page 53... ...
. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES Advantages of a System Based on Administrative Data Administrative databases, if designed, managed, and implemented properly, would have some characteristics that can make them preferable to surveys as the source of information on R&D investments -- although there would be challenges as well.
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From page 54... ...
If NSF is to pursue a new system based on administrative records, there are a number of hurdles to clear. Foremost are the myriad technical requirements to create a workable database driven by administrative data.
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From page 55... ...
Disadvantages of Administrative Databases Currently, none of the contract and grant administrative databases discussed in this report provides the categories needed for direct reporting of federal funds or federal support data. These categories include R&D, R&D plant, character of work (basic research, applied research and development)
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From page 56... ...
The spending on classified programs is an important part of R&D spending in some agencies, but these projects are not likely to be contained in administrative databases available to SRS or the public. This suggests implementation of a dual system based on administrative records for unclassified R&D supplemented by agency reporting of summary information for classified R&D.
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From page 57... ...
A NEW DATA REPORTING SYSTEM BASED ON ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS BOX 4-1 The National Institutes of Health Research, Condition, and Disease Categorization System The Research, Condition, and Disease Categorization (RCDC) sys tem launched by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
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From page 58... ...
In order to develop a flexible, administrative data-driven system for tracking federal funds and federal support data, the panel recognizes that SRS needs adequate authority and resources. The plan we outline in Chapter 6 for implementing the transition from a survey-based system to a mixed system of surveys and administrative databases requires that SRS staff work closely with agencies, OMB, and other relevant stakeholders
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From page 59... ...
For example, two reports from the National Academies are claimed to have assisted in laying the groundwork for the RCDC system.2 OMB is the lead executive branch agency for collecting, organizing, and providing information on federal spending, and recent legislation mandates much of this data collection. In issuing the guidance for data submission under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, OMB has shown a willingness to use its authority under the legislation to specify data fields.
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From page 60... ...
The initial demonstration projects could be based on lessons learned by NIH in developing the RCDC system. With selected large reporting agencies, SRS could explore what would be necessary to develop agencyappropriate approaches to a more comprehensive system -- in one set of demonstrations, using the current agency administrative databases to test mining for terms that could yield field of S&E taxonomic elements and, in another, perhaps testing the development of cross-walks between program/ projects and fields.
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