Glossary:Headcount
Headcount data in R & D measure the total number of persons who are mainly or partially employed on research and development (R & D). This allows links to be made with other series of data (education, employment).
Headcount data are useful for the measurement of both stocks and flows. They allow the analysis to be related, for instance, to the educational supply data and the flows in the system, as well as to other kinds of statistics based on the individual as the statistical unit (such as demographic and employment statistics). By comparing data for several points in time this approach makes it possible to calculate net changes in the human resources in science and technology (HRST) stock or (for instance annual or quarterly) averages or growth rates.
Three options for measurement in terms of headcount can be derived:
- the number of human resources in science and technology (HRST) on a given date (for instance end of year);
- the average number of HRST during the (calendar) year;
- the total number of HRST during the (calendar) year.
Related concepts
Statistical data
Source
- OECD/Eurostat, "The measurement of scientific and technological activities; manual on the measurement of human resources devoted to S&T; Canberra Manual", OECD, Paris, 1995 - pdf