1.1. Contact organisation
Statistics Estonia
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Economic and Environmental Statistics Department
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
51 Tatari Str, 10134 Tallinn, Estonia
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
2.1. Metadata last certified
31 October 2023
2.2. Metadata last posted
31 October 2023
2.3. Metadata last update
31 October 2023
3.1. Data description
Statistics on Private non-profit R&D (PNPRD) measure research and experimental development (R&D) performed in the private non-profit sector, i.e. R&D expenditure and R&D personnel. In line with this objective the target population for the national R&D survey of the private non-profit sector should consist of all R&D performing units (including all R&D performers – occasional and continuous, known and unknown - in all branches and size classes) belonging to this sector.
The main concepts and definitions used for the production of R&D statistics are given by the OECD (2015), Frascati Manual 2015: Guidelines for Collecting and Reporting Data on Research and Experimental Development, The Measurement of Scientific, Technological and Innovation Activities, which is the internationally recognised standard methodology for collecting R&D statistics and by Eurostat’s European Business Statistics Methodological Manual on R&D Statistics (EBS Methodological Manual on R&D Statistics).
Since the beginning of 2021, the collection of R&D statistics is based on Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2020/1197 of 30 July 2020. The Regulation sets the framework for the collection of R&D statistics and specifies the main variables of interest and their breakdowns at predefined level of detail. Statistics on science, technology and innovation were collected until the end of 2020 based on the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2012/995 concerning the production and development of Community statistics on science and technology.
3.2. Classification system
- The distribution of principal economic activity and by product field is based on Statistical classification of economic activities in the European Community (NACE Rev. 2);
- The local units for the statistics are compiled at regional level according to NUTS 2 – Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics;
- The distribution by socioeconomic objectives (SEO) is based on Nomenclature for the Analysis and Comparisons of Scientific Programmes and Budgets (NABS);
- The fields of research and development based on Classification and distribution by Fields of Research and Development (FORD).
3.2.1. Additional classifications
| Additional classification used | Description |
3.3. Coverage - sector
See below.
3.3.1. General coverage
| Definition of R&D | In accordance with the definition in the Frascati Manual |
| Fields of Research and Development (FORD) | Yes |
| Socioeconomic objective (SEO) | No particularities, no more detailed breakdown |
3.3.2. Sector institutional coverage
| Private non-profit sector | Households and individuals not covered |
| Inclusion of units that primarily do not belong to GOV | No |
3.3.3. R&D variable coverage
| R&D administration and other support activities | In case of projects they are reported as whole, in case of R&D performing units or individuals indirect supporting activities are not included, but included for R&D institutions as overheads |
| External R&D personnel | Not included |
| Clinical trials | Included as recommended in Frascati Manual |
3.3.4. International R&D transactions
| Receipts from rest of the world by sector - availability | Available |
| Payments to rest of the world by sector - availability | Not covered |
3.3.5. Extramural R&D expenditures
According to the Frascati Manual, expenditure on extramural R&D (i.e. R&D performed outside the statistical unit) is not included in intramural R&D performance totals (FM, §4.12).
| Data collection on extramural R&D expenditure (Yes/No) | Not included |
| Method for separating extramural R&D expenditure from intramural R&D expenditure | |
| Difficulties to distinguish intramural from extramural R&D expenditure |
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
See below.
3.4.1. R&D expenditure
| Coverage of years | Calendar |
| Source of funds | As in Frascati Manual, internal and external funds are included, transfer/exchange funds are not covered |
| Type of R&D | As in Frascati Manual |
| Type of costs | Investments are collected in some details, but capitalized computer software and other intellectual property products are not covered |
| Defence R&D - method for obtaining data on R&D expenditure | N/A |
3.4.2. R&D personnel
See below.
3.4.2.1. R&D personnel – Head Counts (HC)
| Coverage of years | End of calendar year |
| Function | As in Frascati Manual |
| Qualification | As in Frascati Manual |
| Age | As in Frascati Manual |
| Citizenship | Residents without citizenship are handled as Estonian citizens |
3.4.2.2. R&D personnel – Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
| Coverage of years | Calendar |
| Function | As in Frascati Manual |
| Qualification | Estimated from HC data by unit |
| Age | N/A |
| Citizenship | N/A |
3.4.2.3. FTE calculation
FTE are calculated by the respondents themselves, instructions for calculating the FTE can be found in the Handbook
3.4.2.4. R&D personnel - Cross-classification by function and qualification
| Cross-classification | Unit | Frequency |
| Available | in HC | yearly |
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical unit is the institutional unit as defined by Council Regulation (EEC) No 1993/696 of 15 March 1993.
3.6. Statistical population
See below.
3.6.1. National target population
The target population is the population for which inferences are made. The frame (or frames, as sometimes several frames are used) is a device that permits access to population units. The frame population is the set of population units which can be accessed through the frame and the survey data really refer to this population of institutional units.
The objective of the European R&D statistics is to cover all intramural R&D activities. In line with this objective, the target population for the national R&D survey of the PNP Sector should consist of all R&D performing units (including known R&D performers or assumed to perform R&D). In practise however, countries in their R&D surveys might have difficulty in identifying R&D activities at the municipality level.
| Target population when sample/census survey is used for collection of raw data | Target population when administrative data or pre-compiled statistics are used | |
| Definition of the national target population | Do identify the units performing R&D comprehensive list exists in SE that is regularly updated from statistical register, administrative (funds and agencies financing various activities including R&D) and other sources | |
| Estimation of the target population size | N/A |
3.7. Reference area
Not requested. R&D statistics cover national and regional data.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Not requested. See point 3.4.
3.9. Base period
Not requested. The base year for the unit Purchasing Power Standard (PPS) and PPS per inhabitant at constant prices is currently 2005. All calculations of non-basic unit (national currencies) are done by Eurostat.
For personnel data HC and FTE
Expenditure data are in euros
Calendar year
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
See below.
6.1.1. European legislation
| Legal acts / agreements | Since the beginning of 2021, the collection of R&D statistics is based on Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2020/1197 of 30 July 2020 laying down technical specifications and arrangements pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics repealing 10 legal acts in the field of business statistics. The Regulation sets the framework for the collection of R&D statistics and specifies the main variables of interest and their breakdowns at predefined level of detail. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2012/995 concerning the production and development of Community statistics on science and technology was in force until the end of 2020. |
| Nature of the “obligations” of responsible national organisations to produce statistics and report to international organisations | Compulsory for part of data |
6.1.2. National legislation
| Existence of R&D specific statistical legislation | No |
| Legal acts | Official Statistics Act (RStS) |
| Obligation of responsible organisations to produce statistics (as derived from the legal acts) | Yes |
| Right of responsible organisations to collect data – obligation of (natural / legal) persons to provide raw and administrative data (as derived from the legal acts) | Yes |
| Obligation of responsible organisations to protect confidential information from disclosure (as derived from the legal acts) | Yes |
| Rights of access of third organisations / persons to data and statistics (as derived from the legal acts) | Yes |
| Planned changes of legislation | No |
6.1.3. Standards and manuals
- Frascati Manual 2015, Guidelines for Collecting and Reporting Data on Research and Experimental Development
- European Business Statistics Methodological Manual on R&D
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not requested.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Confidentiality, being one of the process quality components, concerns the privacy of data providers (households, enterprises, administrations and other respondents), the confidentiality of the information they provide and the extent of its use for statistical purposes.
A property of data indicating the extent to which their unauthorised disclosure could be prejudicial or harmful to the interest of the source or other relevant parties.
a) Confidentiality protection required by law:Official Statistics Act § 34,§ 35, § 36,§ 37, § 38. Procedure for Protection of Data Collected and Processed by Statistics Estonia Government of the Republic Regulation No 41 of 29.01.2001 (RT I 2001, 14, 63), entered into force 4.02.2001
b) Confidentiality commitments of survey staff: Not applicable
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
The data are published and transmitted without characteristics that permit identification of the respondents
8.1. Release calendar
Notifications about the dissemination of statistics are published in the release calendar, which is available on the website.
8.2. Release calendar access
Release calendar
Annexes:
Release calendar
8.3. Release policy - user access
All users have been granted equal access to official statistics: dissemination dates of official statistics are announced in advance and no user category (incl. Eurostat, state authorities and mass media) is provided access to official statistics before other users. Official statistics are first published in the statistical database. If there is also a news release, it is published simultaneously with data in the statistical database. Official statistics are available on the website at 8:00 a.m. on the date announced in the release calendar
Yearly
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
See below.
10.1.1. Availability of the releases
| Availability (Y/N)1 | Content, format, links, ... | |
| Regular releases | Y | Press release, Statistics by theme |
| Ad-hoc releases |
1) Y - Yes, N – No
Annexes:
Releases
Statistics by theme
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
See below.
10.2.1. Availability of means of dissemination
| Means of dissemination | Availability (Y/N)1 | Content, format, links, ... |
| General publication/article (paper, online) |
N | |
| Specific paper publication (e.g. sectoral provided to enterprises) (paper, online) |
N |
1) Y – Yes, N - No
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Data are disseminated in full detail in the Statistics database https://andmed.stat.ee/en/stat
Annexes:
Statistical database
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not requested.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
See below.
10.4.1. Provisions affecting the access
| Access rights to the information | No limited |
| Access cost policy | Free Website, |
| Micro-data anonymisation rules | The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided for in § 33, § 34, § 35, § 36, § 38 of the Official Statistics Act. Access to microdata and anonymisation of microdata are regulated by Statistics Estonia’s procedure for dissemination of confidential data for scientific purposes: https://www.stat.ee/en/find-statistics/request-statistics/use-confidential-data-scientificpurposes |
10.5. Dissemination format - other
See below.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not requested.
10.5.2. Availability of other dissemination means
| Dissemination means | Availability (Y/N)1 | Micro-data / Aggregate figures | Comments |
| Internet: main results available on the national statistical authority’s website | Y | In public database | |
| Data prepared for individual ad hoc requests | Y | At request | |
| Other |
1) Y – Yes, N - No
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Quality and metadata description: https://www.stat.ee/en/find-statistics/methodology-and-quality
Annexes:
Methodology and quality
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not requested.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
See below.
10.7.1. Documentation and users’ requests
| Type(s) of data accompanying information available (metadata, graphs, quality reports, etc.) | Statistics in online database is accompanied with adequate metadata |
| Request on further clarification, most problematic issues | Coverage and FTE issues have been under discussion as well as interpreting the definition of R&D has been difficult |
| Measure to increase clarity | No need |
| Impression of users on the clarity of the accompanying information to the data | Not available |
11.1. Quality assurance
Quality management is defined as systems and frameworks in place within an organisation to manage the quality of statistical products and processes
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The R&D statistics methodology is in line with FM methodology. Minor improvements can be achieved looking up possible R&D performers not detected yet to increase the coverage
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
See below.
12.1.1. Needs at national level
| Users’ class1 | Description of users | Users’ needs |
| 1 | Government Office, Parliament, Ministries, political parties, governmental agencies and funds, municipalities of Tallinn and Tartu | Detailed data on capacity and trends of Estonian R&D performance for R&D and innovation and education policy decisions and strategy planning |
| 2 | Media for general public | Analysis of changes in Estonian R&D performance together with international comparisons |
| 3 | Researchers and students | Statistics, analysis and access to microdata |
1) Users' class codification
1- Institutions:
• European level: Commission (DGs, Secretariat General), Council, European Parliament, ECB, other European agencies etc.
• in Member States, at the national or regional level: Ministries of Economy or Finance, other ministries (for sectoral comparisons), National Statistical Institutes and other statistical agencies (norms, training, etc.), and
• International organisations: OECD, UN, IMF, ILO, etc.
2- Social actors: Employers’ associations, trade unions, lobbies, among others, at the European, national or regional level.
3- Media: International or regional media – specialized or for the general public – interested both in figures and analyses or comments. The media are the main channels of statistics to the general public.
4- Researchers and students (Researchers and students need statistics, analyses, ad hoc services, access to specific data.)
5- Enterprises or businesses (Either for their own market analysis, their marketing strategy (large enterprises) or because they offer consultancy services)
6- Other (User class defined for national purposes, different from the previous classes.)
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
To evaluate if users' needs have been satisfied, the best way is to use user satisfaction surveys.
12.2.1. National Surveys and feedback
| Conduction of a user satisfaction survey or any other type of monitoring user satisfaction | |
| User satisfaction survey specific for R&D statistics | Not available |
| Short description of the feedback received |
Annexes:
User satisfaction survey
12.3. Completeness
See below.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
All obligatory data for R&D personnel (HC, FTE) -100%
Data for R&D expenditures, all obligatory 100%
Optional data - missing data about Type of cost- Capitalized computer software and Other intellectual property products) also extramural R&D expenditures
12.3.2. Data availability
Share of PNP R&D expenditure in GERD (Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D): 0,02
12.3.2.1. Incorporation of PNP sector in another sector
| Incorporation of PNP in another sector | PNP sector is available separately, but also incorporated into the non-profit institutional sector, which also includes the GOV and HES sectors |
| Reasons for not producing separate R&D statistics for the PNP sector | |
| Share of PNP expenditure in the total expenditure of the other sector | 1% |
| Share of PNP R&D Personnel in the respective figure of the other sector | 1% |
12.3.2.2. Non-collection of R&D data for the PNP sector
| Reasons for not compiling R&D statistics for the PNP sector | |
| PNP R&D expenditure/ GERD*100) | 1% |
| Share of PNP R&D Personnel in the respective figure of the total national economy |
12.3.2.3. Data availability on more detail level
| Additional dimension/variable available at national level1) | Availability2 | Frequency of data collection | Breakdown variables |
Combinations of breakdown variables | Level of detail |
| Number of R&D personnel in HC | 1996 | year | by major field of science and sex | ||
| Number of researches in HC | 1996 | year | by major field of science and sex | ||
| Number of R&D personnel in FTE | 1996 | year | by age groups and sex | ||
| Number of researches | 1996 | year | by age groups and sex | ||
| Intramural R&D expenditures | 1996 | year | by Socio-economic objective, by major field of science | by Field of Science and by type of R&D | Capital costs broken down into Land & Buildings and Equipment & Instruments; expenditure by Socioeconomic objective financed by government |
1) This question is optional. It refers to variables and breakdowns NOT asked by the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2020/1197 (neither as 'optional').
2) Y-start year
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Accuracy in the statistical sense denotes the closeness of computations or estimates to the exact or true values. Statistics are not equal with the true values because of variability (the statistics change from implementation to implementation of the survey due to random effects) and bias (the average of the possible values of the statistics from implementation to implementation is not equal to the true value due to systematic effects).
Several types of statistical errors occur during the survey process. The following typology of errors has been adopted:
1. Sampling errors. These only affect sample surveys. They are due to the fact that only a subset of the population, usually randomly selected, is enumerated.
2. Non-sampling errors. Non-sampling errors affect sample surveys and complete enumerations alike and comprise:
a) Coverage errors,
b) Measurement errors,
c) Non response errors and
d) Processing errors.
Model assumption errors should be treated under the heading of the respective error they are trying to reduce.
13.2. Sampling error
That part of the difference between a population value and an estimate thereof, derived from a random sample, which is due to the fact that only a subset of the population is enumerated.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
The main indicator used to measure sampling errors is the coefficient of variation (CV).
Definition of coefficient of variation:
CV= (Square root of the estimate of the sampling variance) / (Estimated value)
Coefficient of variation for Total R&D expenditure : not calculated, as there is census survey
Coefficient of variation for Total R&D personnel (FTE) : not calculated, as there is census survey
13.3. Non-sampling error
Non-sampling errors occur in all phases of a survey. They add to the sampling errors (if present) and contribute to decreasing overall accuracy. It is important to assess their relative weight in the total error and devote appropriate resources for their control and assessment.
a) Extent of non-sampling errors: N/A
b) Measures taken to reduce the extent of non-sampling errors:
c) Methods used in order to correct / adjust for such errors:
13.3.1. Coverage error
Coverage errors are due to divergences between the target population and the frame population. The frame population is the set of target population members that has a chance to be selected into the survey sample. It is a listing of all items in the population from which the sample is drawn that contains contact details as well as sufficient information to perform stratification and sampling.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not requested.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not requested.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not requested.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not requested.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not requested.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not requested.
13.3.4. Processing error
Not requested.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not requested.
14.1. Timeliness
Timeliness and punctuality refer to time and dates, but in a different manner: the timeliness of statistics reflects the length of time between their availability and the event or phenomenon they describe. Punctuality refers to the time lag between the release date of the data and the target date on which they should have been delivered, with reference to dates announced in the official release calendar.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Time lag between the end of reference period and the release date of the results:
Indicator: (Release date of provisional/ first results) - (Date of reference for the data)
a) End of reference period: T+6
b) Date of first release of national data: T+6
c) Lag (days):0
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
a) End of reference period: T+6
b) Date of first release of national data: T+6
c) Lag (days):0
14.2. Punctuality
Punctuality refers to the time lag between the release date of data and the target date on which they were scheduled for release as announced officially.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Punctuality of time schedule of data release = (Actual date of the data release) - (Scheduled date of the data release)
14.2.1.1. Deadline and date of data transmission
| Transmission of provisional data | Transmission of final data | |
| Legally defined deadline of data transmission (T+_ months) | 10 | 18 |
| Actual date of transmission of the data (T+x months) | 10 | 18 |
| Delay (days) | ||
| Reasoning for delay |
15.1. Comparability - geographical
See below.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not requested.
15.1.2. General issues of comparability
No deviations from the Frascati manual
15.1.3. Survey Concepts Issues
The following table lists a number of key survey concepts and conceptual issues; it gives reference to the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2020/1197 or Frascati manual paragraphs and the EBS Methodological Manual on R&D Statistics with recommendations about these concepts / issues.
| Concept / Issues | Reference to recommendations | Deviation from recommendations | Comments on national definition / Treatment – deviations from recommendations |
| R&D personnel | FM2015 Chapter 5 (mainly paragraph 5.2). | No | |
| Researcher | FM2015, § 5.35-5.39. | No | |
| Approach to obtaining Headcount (HC) data | FM2015, § 5.58-5.61 (in combination with Eurostat's EBS Methodological Manual on R&D Statistics). | No | |
| Reporting data according to formula: Total R&D personnel = Internal R&D personnel + External R&D personnel | FM2015, §5.25 | No | |
| Approach to obtaining FTE data | FM2015, § 5.49-5.57 (in combination with Eurostat's EBS Methodological Manual on R&D Statistics). | No | FTE for technicians and supporting staff is collected without sex aggregation |
| Intramural R&D expenditure | FM2015,Chapter 4 (mainly paragraph 4.2). | No | |
| Statistical unit | FM2015, § 10.40-10.42 (in combination with Eurostat's EBS Methodological Manual on R&D Statistics). | No | |
| Target population | FM2015, § 10.40-10.42 ((in combination with Eurostat's EBS Methodological Manual on R&D Statistics). | No | |
| Sector coverage | FM2015, § 10.2-10.8 ((in combination with Eurostat's EBS Methodological Manual on R&D Statistics). | No | |
| Reference period for the main data | Reg. 2020/1197: Annex 1, Table 18 | No | |
| Reference period for all data | Reg. 2020/1197: Annex 1, Table 18 | No |
15.1.4. Deviations from recommendations
The following table lists a number of key methodological issues, which may affect the international comparability of national R&D statistics. The table gives the references in the Frascati manual, where related recommendations are made. Countries are asked to report on the existence of any deviations from existing recommendations and comment upon.
| Methodological issues | Deviation from recommendations | Comments on national treatment / treatment deviations from recommendations |
| Data collection method | No | online |
| Survey questionnaire / data collection form | No | web-questionnaire |
| Cooperation with respondents | No | the contact are made if inaccuracies have been identified that need to be clarified |
| Data processing methods | No | the data are processed in the data processing environment VAIS created for integrated business statistics |
| Treatment of non-response | No | telephone contacts |
| Data compilation of final and preliminary data | No |
15.2. Comparability - over time
See below.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
See below.
15.2.2. Breaks in time series
| Length of comparable time series | Break years1 | Nature of the breaks | |
| R&D personnel (HC) | Sice 1996 | ||
| Function | Sice 1996 | ||
| Qualification | Sice 1996 | ||
| R&D personnel (FTE) | Sice 1996 | ||
| Function | Sice 1996 | ||
| Qualification | Sice 1996 | ||
| R&D expenditure | Sice 1996 | ||
| Source of funds | Sice 1996 | ||
| Type of costs | Sice 1996 | ||
| Type of R&D | Sice 1996 | ||
| Other | Sice 1996 |
1) Breaks years are years for which data are not fully comparable to the previous period.
15.2.3. Collection of data in the even years
Yes
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
See below.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not requested.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Used as input to NA
15.4. Coherence - internal
See below.
15.4.1. Comparison between preliminary and final data
This part compares key R&D variables as preliminary and final data.
| Total PNP R&D expenditure (in 1000 of national currency) | Total PNP R&D personnel (in FTEs) | Total number of PNP researchers (in FTEs) | |
| Preliminary data (delivered at T+10) | 6741,4 | 107,6 | 96,2 |
| Final data (delivered T+18) | 6741,4 | 107,6 | 96,2 |
| Difference (of final data) |
15.4.2. Consistency between R&D personnel and expenditure
| Average remuneration (cost in national currency) | |
| Consistency between FTEs of internal R&D personnel and R&D labour costs (1) | |
| Consistency between FTEs of external R&D personnel and other current costs for external R&D personnel (2) | not applicable |
(1) Calculate the average remuneration (cost) of individuals belonging to the internal R&D personnel, excluding those who are only formally ‘employees’ (university students, grant holders, etc.).
(2) Calculate the average remuneration (cost) of individuals belonging to the external R&D personnel (FTEs/other current R&D costs for external R&D personnel).
The assessment of costs associated with a statistical product is a rather complicated task since there must exist a mechanism for appointing portions of shared costs (for instance shared IT resources and dissemination channels) and overheads (office space, utility bills etc). The assessment must become detailed and clear enough so that international comparisons among agencies of different structures are feasible.
16.1. Costs summary
| Costs for the statistical authority (in national currency) | % sub-contracted1) | |
| Staff costs | ||
| Data collection costs | ||
| Other costs | ||
| Total costs | ||
| Comments on costs | ||
1) The shares of the figures given in the first column that are accounted for by payments to private firms or other Government agencies.
16.2. Components of burden and description of how these estimates were reached
| Value | Computation method | |
| Number of Respondents (R) | ||
| Average Time required to complete the questionnaire in hours (T)1 | 2,82 | This time cost includes all sectors together (GOV, HES and PNP) submitting data with the questionnaire on R&D expenditure |
| Average hourly cost (in national currency) of a respondent (C) | ||
| Total cost |
1) T = the time required to provide the information, including time spent assembling information prior to completing a form or taking part in interview and the time taken up by any subsequent contacts after receipt of the questionnaire (‘Re-contact time’)
17.1. Data revision - policy
Not requested.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Not requested.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not requested.
18.1. Source data
Several separate activities are used for the collection of raw data or pre-compiled administrative data and statistics related to R&D. For simplicity, we call them surveys irrespective of whether they are sample surveys, censuses, collections of administrative data/pre-compiled statistics. This section presents the names of the surveys by sector of performance as well as methodological information for each survey. Depending on the type of survey and sector of performance, only the sections corresponding to that survey and sector are filled in.
18.1.1. Data source – general information
| Survey name | Research and development |
| Type of survey | Census |
| Combination of sample survey and census data | No |
| Combination of dedicated R&D and other survey(s) | No |
| Sub-population A (covered by sampling) | |
| Sub-population B (covered by census) | |
| Variables the survey contributes to | The number of R&D personnel (HC) by field of science, by categories of R&D personnel, by gender, by level of formal qualification in the end of year. The researches by age, by gender, by citizenship in the end of year. The work-time in man-years devoted to R&D during year (FTE) by field of science, by categories of R&D personnel and also by gender for researches. The intramural expenditure devoted to R&D during year by field of science, by sources of financing (government and foreign sources structured in details), by type of costs, by type of R&D activities, by socio-economic objectives |
| Survey timetable-most recent implementation | Collection: February-May Publication: June |
18.1.2. Sample/census survey information
| Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | |
| Sampling unit | Legal unit | ||
| Stratification variables (if any - for sample surveys only) | |||
| Stratification variable classes | |||
| Population size | |||
| Planned sample size | |||
| Sample selection mechanism (for sample surveys only) | |||
| Survey frame | Updated list of R&D performers | ||
| Sample design | Census | ||
| Sample size | 81 | ||
| Survey frame quality | Good |
18.1.3. Information on collection of administrative data or of pre-compiled statistics
| Source | N/A |
| Description of collected data / statistics | N/A |
| Reference period, in relation to the variables the survey contributes to | N/A |
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Every year
18.3. Data collection
See below.
18.3.1. Data collection overview
| Information provider | Registered non-profit associations or foundations |
| Description of collected information | a) The number of R&D personnel by field of science, by categories of R&D personnel, by gender, by level of formal qualification in the end of year; b) The researches by age, by gender, by citizenship in the end of year; c) The work-time in man-years devoted to R&D during year (that is FTE) by field of science, by categories of R&D personnel and also by gender for researches; d) The intramural expenditure devoted to R&D during year by field of science, by sources of financing (government and foreign sources structured in details), by type of costs, by type of R&D activities, by socio-economic objectives). |
| Data collection method | Web-questionnaire with alternative possibility to load down a pdf-file and send filled by post or e-mail |
| Time-use surveys for the calculation of R&D coefficients | N/A |
| Realised sample size (per stratum) | |
| Mode of data collection (face-to-face interviews; telephone interviews; postal surveys, etc.) | Online filling up (with alternative possibility to make printout and send by post, E-mail or fax) |
| Incentives used for increasing response | |
| Follow-up of non-respondents | Repeated phone and e-mail reminding |
| Replacement of non-respondents (e.g. if proxy interviewing is employed) | N/A |
| Response rate (ratio of completed "interviews" over total number of eligible enterprises or enterprises of unknown eligibility) | |
| Non-response analysis (if applicable -- also see section 18.5. Data compilation - Weighting and Estimation methods) | N/A |
18.3.2. Questionnaire and other documents
| Annex | Name of the file |
| R&D national questionnaire and explanatory notes in English: | "Teadus- ja arendustegevus" |
| R&D national questionnaire and explanatory notes in the national language: | |
| Other relevant documentation of national methodology in English: | |
| Other relevant documentation of national methodology in the national language: | "Teadus ja arendustegevus" käsiraamat |
Annexes:
National questionnaire
Handbook
18.4. Data validation
Arithmetic and qualitative controls are used in the validation process, including comparison with previous year data. Before data dissemination the internal coherence of the data is checked.
In determining the population and checking the received data, the data of foundations providing research support (Enterprise Estonia – EAS, Horizont2020, Estonian Reseach Council – ETAG) are used.
18.5. Data compilation
See below.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable
18.5.2. Data compilation methods
| Data compilation method - Final data (between the survey years) | Not applicable |
| Data compilation method - Preliminary data | For PNP the final data is available on T+6 |
18.5.3. Measurement issues
| Method of derivation of regional data | N/A, Estonia is NUTS2 |
| Coefficients used for estimation of the R&D share of more general expenditure items | N/A |
| Inclusion or exclusion of VAT and provisions for depreciation in the measurement of expenditures | VAT excluded |
| Differences between national and Frascati Manual classifications not mentioned above and impact on national statistics | N/A |
18.5.4. Weighting and estimation methods
| Description of weighting method | Not used |
| Description of the estimation method | N/A |
18.6. Adjustment
Not requested.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not requested.
Statistics on Private non-profit R&D (PNPRD) measure research and experimental development (R&D) performed in the private non-profit sector, i.e. R&D expenditure and R&D personnel. In line with this objective the target population for the national R&D survey of the private non-profit sector should consist of all R&D performing units (including all R&D performers – occasional and continuous, known and unknown - in all branches and size classes) belonging to this sector.
The main concepts and definitions used for the production of R&D statistics are given by the OECD (2015), Frascati Manual 2015: Guidelines for Collecting and Reporting Data on Research and Experimental Development, The Measurement of Scientific, Technological and Innovation Activities, which is the internationally recognised standard methodology for collecting R&D statistics and by Eurostat’s European Business Statistics Methodological Manual on R&D Statistics (EBS Methodological Manual on R&D Statistics).
Since the beginning of 2021, the collection of R&D statistics is based on Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2020/1197 of 30 July 2020. The Regulation sets the framework for the collection of R&D statistics and specifies the main variables of interest and their breakdowns at predefined level of detail. Statistics on science, technology and innovation were collected until the end of 2020 based on the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2012/995 concerning the production and development of Community statistics on science and technology.
31 October 2023
See below.
The statistical unit is the institutional unit as defined by Council Regulation (EEC) No 1993/696 of 15 March 1993.
See below.
Not requested. R&D statistics cover national and regional data.
Calendar year
Accuracy in the statistical sense denotes the closeness of computations or estimates to the exact or true values. Statistics are not equal with the true values because of variability (the statistics change from implementation to implementation of the survey due to random effects) and bias (the average of the possible values of the statistics from implementation to implementation is not equal to the true value due to systematic effects).
Several types of statistical errors occur during the survey process. The following typology of errors has been adopted:
1. Sampling errors. These only affect sample surveys. They are due to the fact that only a subset of the population, usually randomly selected, is enumerated.
2. Non-sampling errors. Non-sampling errors affect sample surveys and complete enumerations alike and comprise:
a) Coverage errors,
b) Measurement errors,
c) Non response errors and
d) Processing errors.
Model assumption errors should be treated under the heading of the respective error they are trying to reduce.
For personnel data HC and FTE
Expenditure data are in euros
See below.
Several separate activities are used for the collection of raw data or pre-compiled administrative data and statistics related to R&D. For simplicity, we call them surveys irrespective of whether they are sample surveys, censuses, collections of administrative data/pre-compiled statistics. This section presents the names of the surveys by sector of performance as well as methodological information for each survey. Depending on the type of survey and sector of performance, only the sections corresponding to that survey and sector are filled in.
Yearly
Timeliness and punctuality refer to time and dates, but in a different manner: the timeliness of statistics reflects the length of time between their availability and the event or phenomenon they describe. Punctuality refers to the time lag between the release date of the data and the target date on which they should have been delivered, with reference to dates announced in the official release calendar.
See below.
See below.
