An analysis of national research systems (I) : a composite indicator for scientific and technological research excellence

This paper first develops a framework for the analysis of national research systems, with particular focus on the excellence of scientific and technological research, a central topic for the current European research and innovation policy discourse. Next, after carefully considering measurement and data issues, it proposes a set of strong and weaker country-level indicators of research excellence, based on which a composite indicator of scientific and technological research excellence is proposed and tested for robustness and sensitivity. The research was conducted on behalf of DG RTD within the framework of the "Composites 4IU" project.