Scientific performance, for PISA, measures the scientific literacy of a 15 year-old in the use of scientific knowledge to identify questions, acquire new knowledge, explain scientific phenomena, and draw evidence-based conclusions about science-related issues. The mean score is the measure.

Public procurement accounts for 13% of GDP in OECD countries. Pressures on public spending – as well as the need for greater accountability, better monitoring of public policies, and more effective risk management – have made it increasingly important to measure the performance of public...