AN EXPLORATORY STUDY IN RESEARCH PLANNING METHODOLOGY

A quantitative methodology for use as an aid to research program planning is sought. Suitable analytical models for this purpose however are not currently available. An operations research approach to the problem is described and a generalized systems concept of the research planning process is outlined as background material for the analytical techniques proposed. There are three basic ingredients to the proposed research planning system. The first is the concept of a category-attribute matrix which describes numerical relationships between desired attributes of a research program and categories of research. The matrix yields a numerical output called 'effectiveness.' The second ingredient is a predetermined collection of classification systems which suggests a set of constraints for a balanced program. The third ingredient is a perturbation technique which is used to answer questions posed to the system. Five theorems are proved, and a model consisting of numerical arrays has been formulated to characterize the state of a program. (Author)