Employment Patterns of Academic Scientists and Engineers, 1973-78

摘要

The report examines the continued increase in the number of academically employed scientists and engineers in the face of academic financial constraints. The report is based on analysis of data collected in NSF's academic science survey series and through interviews with officials of 23 universities and addresses the following questions: What were the characteristics of the science and engineering (S/E) employment growth. Why did institutions continue to increase their S/E employment in light of pending demographic shifts in the college-age population. And what are the consequences of such growth. Major findings were: Two-thirds of the net growth between 1973 and 1978 occurred in doctorate-granting institutions; the rise in R&D expenditures in these institutions, fueled by the growth in Federal funding, resulted in an increase in S/E personnel involvement in R&D activities at twice the rate of teaching activities; and the growth occurred primarily in institutions outside of the distinguished category, as defined by the Ladd-Lipset rankings of institutions.