Report
The toolkit, developed under the Evi-Pol II project, is a practical guide designed to support African Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in collecting reliable data on research and development (R&D). Published…
The toolkit, developed under the Evi-Pol II project, is a practical guide designed to support African Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in collecting reliable data on research and development (R&D). Published by CeSTII of South Africa’s Human Sciences Research Council, this toolkit helps users plan, run, and improve research and development surveys that inform national science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies.
Why This Toolkit Matters
Many African countries face challenges in tracking R&D activities. Yet, accurate data is essential for:
- Allocating resources wisely
- Shaping science and innovation policies
- Measuring progress towards national goals
- Comparing performance with other countries
This toolkit provides the tools to overcome these challenges and build strong survey systems that inform decision-making.
What the Toolkit Covers
The toolkit walks users through every stage of the R&D survey process. Key topics include:
- Understanding R&D surveys: What they are, why they matter, and who uses the data
- Survey planning and execution: How to build a survey team, select participants, and manage fieldwork
- Register maintenance: Keeping contact lists up to date for reliable data collection
- Data collection and analysis: From questionnaire design to data cleaning and interpretation
- Sharing results: Writing clear reports, policy briefs, and fact sheets
It also includes editable templates for emails, scripts, reports, and consent forms.
Who Should Use the Research and Development Survey Toolkit?
This toolkit is tailored for:
- National statistics officers
- Research and development survey managers
- Data analysts and fieldworkers
- SGC staff new to STI data collection
A Step Towards Data-Driven Policy
By following the toolkit’s best practices, African SGCs can conduct high-quality research and development surveys even with limited resources. In turn, this enables smarter investments in research, stronger science systems, and more inclusive innovation across the continent.
Research and Resources
Themes
The SGCI aims to strengthen the capacities of these SGCs to support research and evidence-based policies that will contribute to economic and social development.
