I am happy to report that the long awaited book:”Planning, Funding and Evaluating Nanotechnology Initiatives and Centers" is now available on the web. The book contains a planning, funding and evaluation strategy, for initiatives and centers.
The new book also includes a table of odds that helps the regional initiative planner determine the odds for the regions success, and whether or not to start-launch initiatives, or put ones energy into another field --as high-tech ferries, or recreational facilities. Among the items to consider are the number and type research universities and knowledge-based companies in the region. But---- Not all research universities are alike. What is important is the ranking on technology transfer, and number of startups, spun out companies, and nanotechnology publications and citations in Journals such as Small Times.
The volume employs aspects of the Governments GPRA, PART, outcome-based model. It views outcomes from the vantage point of regional and national stakeholders, as well as local, state and center administrators. It questions whether the NNI goals of reaching $3 trillion in benefits, and increasing the workforce by ten million new jobs are probable by 2010.
The book includes:
ü Chapters on planning and launching initiatives.
ü Evaluation strategies for assessing the success of initiatives and nanotechnology research centers.
ü Benefits from an earlier study by the author of over 250 research centers, funded by the National Science Foundation.
ü Various metrics and evaluation measures for judging success.
ü Various evaluation designs appropriate for conducting case studies, efficiency, and outcome and cost-benefit evaluations.
ü What is needed to assess the initiatives in terms of both benefits and costs projected over various time periods.
ü The plethora of benefits, and converts outcomes to monetary values. It also considers the opportunity costs lost as well as positive benefits.
ü Estimates of the optimum size for initiatives or centers within various regions, universities and localities?
Purchase the book @
http://www.evaluatingreserarchcenters.com
Also from WT & Associates:
Evaluating Research Centers and Institutes for Success
A Manual and Guide with Case Studies: By William R. Tash, Ph.D.
Based on a NSF Funded National Study of 300 Research Centers
* Recommended for research organization directors, Vice Presidents for Research, funding officers, government officials, policy analysts, research administrators, and for use in graduate and professional education.
* The current edition includes case studies, and additional information on evaluating research consortia, plus a framework for polling center directors on various aspects of their centers leading toward success.
* It also includes 20 questionnaires containing 300 items, report template, and guides for GPRA and annual reporting to stakeholders.
* Use for the entire organization, University, consortia, and/or individual projects.
Overview:
This book is an introduction to managing strategic information for the several types of research centers as well as their relationships to the emerging postmodern global research structures. Identification of groupings of research centers provides a means to classify all centers in taxonomy.
The vision, approach and methodology suggested in this book are conceptual rather than detailed or directed to particular centers. There are, however, many criteria included for measuring success, as well as indicators that are essential for any evaluation strategy. The methodology also focuses on evaluation strategies important for center evaluations and not evaluations in general, either in regard to research or education.
Other services by WT & Associates:
Ø Center and regional initiative reviewing the odds of winning for center and initiative proposals submitted for federal awards.
Ø Washington and industry representation on proposal bidder’s conferences, and other meetings.
Ø Consulting on and review of proposals in health, nanotechnology, consortia formation fields.
Ø Consensus building and staff training sessions for center and initiative staff, committees and boards.
Ø Partner building with other regions and centers for joint activities.
Ø Styling reports for marketing of government and industry audiences.
WT & Assiciates has been providing publications and consulation for research administrator since 2004.
Web: http://www.evaluatingreseasrchcenters.com
emails: sales: bt69@peoplepc.com; Dr. Tash: Wtash@temple.edu
