AN OPERATIONAL RESEARCH VIEW OF THE SENATE REPORT ON A SCIENCE POLICY FOR CANADA.

It is agreed that the formulation of a policy aimed at increasing the effectiveness of research in Canada is a useful activity. Unfortunately, the "Senate Report" neglects the technology available to help in policy formulation, it is too arbitrary, and goes too far in terms of organization and policy statements for the initial report. The technology available includes systems science and operational research or management science, R & D management, and organizational behaviour, which have made useful contributions to policy formulation. In addition to this, there is an implicit assumption in the report that the policy makers know how research is created and implemented and hence on how this can be influenced. It is not believed that enough evidence is available on how the scientific community works to support the formulation of such an extensive policy at the present time. The assignment of a target to spend 2.5 per cent of GNP on research is an expenditure target which is easy to achieve simply by spending money. Similarly, the target to limit spending on basic research to 10 per cent of total research expenditure can be achieved (providing basic research can be identified). It would have been better to have undertaken research on the nature of science for purposes of establishing suitable research goals and from that determine the necessary expenditure. Many organizational arrangements are recommended in the report to further develop and implement science policy. Terms of reference such as evaluate, appraise, forecast, and select are used. There is considered to be far too much organization recommended in view of the lack of procedures to enable the terms of reference to be satisfied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]