RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT (R&D): Research and experimental development (R&D) comprise creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications.
The basic criterion for distinguishing R&D from related activities is the presence in R&D of an appreciable element of novelty.
BUSINESS ENTERPRISE SECTOR: All firms, organizations and institutions and the private non-profit intitutes mainly serving them, whose primary activity is the production of goods or services sale to the general public at a price intended approximately to cover at least the cost of production.
The core of the sector is made up of private enterprises whether or not they distribute profit.
In addition, it includes public enterprises mainly engaged in selling the kind of goods and services which are often produced by business enterprises (state economic enterprises).
GOVERNMENT SECTOR :All departments, offices, and other, bodies which furnish, but normally do not sell to the community, those common services which cannot otherwise be conveniently and economically provided and administer the state and the economic and social policy of the community.
HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR: The Sector is comprised of all universities, colleges of technology, and other institutes of postsecondary education. It also includes all research institutes, experimental stations, and clinics operating under the direct control of or administered by or associated with higher education establishments.
RESEARCHERS :Researchers are scientists or engineers engaged in the conception or creation of new knowledge, products, processes, methods, and systems. Managers and administrators engaged in the planning and management of the scientific and technical aspects of a researcher's work are also included.
TECHNICIANS: Technicians participate in R&D projects by performing scientific and technical tasks under the supervision of scientists and engineers.
OTHER SUPPORTING STAFF: Other supporting staff include skilled and unskilled craftsmen, secreterial, and clerical staff participating in R&D projects or directly associated with such projects.
FULL-TIME EQUIVALENCE (FTE): R&D activities of personnel employed on R&D are measured in full-time equivalence. A FTE may be thought of as one person - year. Thus a person who normally spends 30 per cent of his or her time R&D and the rest on other activities should be considered as 0.3 FTE.