Marine Ecosystems Research Department - jamstec japan agency ...

Japan Marine Science and Technology Center
Research Evaluation
In August , the Prime Minister decided on the "National Guideline on the Method of Evaluation for
Government R&D (hereinafter in this chapter referred to as National Guideline)." In response to that, JAMSTEC
formulated, in October , the "Outline of Steps Taken to Evaluate Research at the Japan Marine Science and
Technology Center (hereinafter in this chapter referred to as JAMSTEC Outline Steps)." The purpose of the JAM-
STEC Outline Steps is to realize strict and fair evaluation of JAMSTEC's research projects and the whole management,
and eventually to contribute to effective and productive allocation of research resources (human resources and
economic resources). Every year JAMSTEC implements research evaluation under the JAMSTEC Outline Steps. In
fiscal JAMSTEC began examining R&D cost effectiveness and quantitative evaluation methods.
1. R&D Theme Evaluation
R&D theme evaluation applies to all R&D projects
implemented by JAMSTEC except those classified as
large-scale and important projects (e.g., mega-science
projects carried out at a national level), and those
implemented by the Frontier Research Systems. These
projects are evaluated under different procedures.
Evaluation is conducted by the R&D Theme
Evaluation Committee and Subcommittees, consisting
of third-party experts and intellectuals. The R&D projects
that are promoted by priority fund (Research
Project; Category ) are subjected to the in-advance
evaluation, and interim and result evaluation, the R&D
projects promoted by basic fund (Research Project;
Category , Personal Research, Cooperative Research)
are subjected to the result evaluation. These evaluations
are conducted strictly based on the evaluation
items and methods set by the R&D Theme Evaluation
Committee.
In fiscal , the in-advance evaluation was conducted
on July , , and the interim and result
evaluation was conducted from October to
December . Although JAMSTEC had some R&D
projects pointed out the necessity of improvements,
the results of evaluations were generally affirmative.
The results of evaluations are disclosed on the
JAMSTEC's homepage (http://www.jamstec.go.jp),
together with the JAMSTEC's policy in response to
the results and the documents of the relevant research.
JAMSTEC is committed to advance of researches in
accord with the results of evaluations.
(1) In-advance Evaluation
) Themes for the evaluation (Attached Table )
The in-advance evaluation was conducted for
the Research Project; Category that would newly
start or would restructure in fiscal before budget
request.
) System of the evaluation
The R&D Theme Evaluation Committee (Table )
conducted evaluations.
) Method of the evaluation
Each researcher made a presentation on his or her
research theme, and follow-up question-and-answer
sessions were held between the researcher and the
committee. The committee evaluated the R&D projects
based on the key points given in ) after discussion
among the committee.
Subject
Table 1 Subject for In-advance Evaluation in Fiscal 2002
Department
1 Research and Development of Advanced Technology (Stage 2) Marine Technology Department
2 Study for Understanding of Function and Structure of the Marine Ecosystems Marine Ecosystems Research
in the Earth System.
Department
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