Assessment of Research Projects and Expenditures by the Coal Industry. Final Report (BCR Report L-1166)

摘要

The objective of this program was to gather information about the extent of current and planned research and development activity in the private coal-producing and equipment-manufacturing sector, assess its import, and make recommendations for complementary research and development efforts. In addition, it was expected that some estimate of the informal/unbudgeted mine-level research would be obtained. The program was divided into three phases: development of survey and assessment data-collection methodology and evaluation criteria; conduct pilot survey and assessment; analyze results and modify program as appropriate, for final survey; and complete industry-wide assessment, analyze results, present findings, and develop recommendations. The assessment of research projects and expenditures by the coal industry was structured to obtain the cooperation of industry; and, therefore, the best representation and results. Unfortunately, the cooperation provided a voluntary survey program is often nominal due to factors such as the time required to develop the information, the priority given to other mandatory survey forms, the desire to maintain confidentiality, or just a general lack of interest in the program. The cooperation of larger producers in providing research expenditures was generally good, but almost no information was provided on specific research projects. The small producers provided good information on the types of programs conducted, but very few operators provided research expenditures. This type of stratification makes it difficult to draw logical results for the industry. In light of the limitations of such surveys, it is believed that the present survey was, to a large degree, successful in obtaining a reasonable estimate of the R and D expenditures of the coal industry during 1978. While it may be overly optimistic to say that the assessment was a total success, it may well provide a starting point for other surveys. (ERA citation 07:006699)