1.1. Contact organisation
Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Science and Technology Unit
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
24 October 2023
2.2. Metadata last posted
24 October 2023
2.3. Metadata last update
24 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.
Statistics on science, technology and innovation were collected based on the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) Regulation (EU) No 995/2012 concerning the production and development of Community statistics on science and technology until the end of 2020. 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. Please note that according to Article 12(4) of Regulation (EU) 2020/1197, the provisions of Regulation (EU) 995/2012 continue to apply for the reference years that fall before 1 January 2021.
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 | Information already given in the section 3.1. |
| Fields of Research and Development (FORD) | Data are available for all six broad categories of FORD |
| Socioeconomic objective (SEO) | The classification criteria is the purpose which the project is intended to serve. |
3.3.2. Sector institutional coverage
| Private non-profit sector | The Private non-profit sector is studied separately and it has been reduced over time due to the reclassification of many units into other sectors as per Frascati Manual guidelines. |
| Inclusion of units that primarily do not belong to GOV |
3.3.3. R&D variable coverage
| R&D administration and other support activities | - |
| External R&D personnel | - |
| Clinical trials | - |
3.3.4. International R&D transactions
| Receipts from rest of the world by sector - availability | Data of funding from abroad are available by sector. |
| Payments to rest of the world by sector - availability | Data of payments to abroad (for external R&D) are available by sector. |
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) | Y |
| Method for separating extramural R&D expenditure from intramural R&D expenditure | Extramural expenditure is requested in the questionnaire for all sectors, following the breakdown recommended by the Frascati Manual. |
| 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 year. |
| Source of funds | Broken down into main disaggregation by sector |
| Type of R&D | Based on current intramural cost on R&D |
| Type of costs | The breakdown of the type of cost is the following: Labour costs (Researcher’s labour cost, Technicians and other staff’s cost), Other current costs (broken down into expenses corresponding to external R&D personnel, expenses corresponding to purchase of services, expenses corresponding to purchase of materials and other current costs), Lands&buildings, Instruments&equipment, Software for R&D and other intellectual property products. |
| Defence R&D - method for obtaining data on R&D expenditure | Defence GERD is underestimated in that the estimate of expenditure is based on the socio-economic objective "Defence". |
3.4.2. R&D personnel
See below.
3.4.2.1. R&D personnel – Head Counts (HC)
| Coverage of years | Total number of persons engaged in R&D during the calendar year. |
| Function | Data available. |
| Qualification | Data are now available as the breakdown used is comparable from 2006 onwards for researchers and total personnel. |
| Age | Since 2007, it is available for researchers. |
| Citizenship | Since 2007, it is available for researchers. |
3.4.2.2. R&D personnel – Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
| Coverage of years | Total number of persons engaged in R&D during the calendar year. |
| Function | Data available |
| Qualification | Data are now available as the breakdown used is comparable from 2006 onwards for researchers and total personnel. |
| Age | Data not available |
| Citizenship | Data not available |
3.4.2.3. FTE calculation
FTE is calculated according to Frascati Manual, using the concept person/year.
All postgraduate students working on R&D are included in R&D personnel and their salaries/scholarship are included in the R&D expenditure.
3.4.2.4. R&D personnel - Cross-classification by function and qualification
| Cross-classification | Unit | Frequency |
| Only Total R&D personnel and Researchers are cross-classified by occupation and qualification. | FTE and HC | |
3.5. Statistical unit
Statistical units are those of the target population with legal entity.
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 | Those PNP units performing R&D activities in the reference year. In the questionnaire it is included the decision tree for sectoring R&D units of the FM to know if a unit belongs to this sector or not. In this sector, the target population and the frame population are identical, because all institutions included in the frame population are considered 'potential R&D performers'. |
|
| Estimation of the target population size | 140 |
3.7. Reference area
Not requested. R&D statistics cover national and regional data.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Not requested. See point 5.
3.9. Base period
Not requested.
Indicators are available according to 4 units of measure:
Whole number for number of units or number of R&D personnel in headcount.
Number with a decimal place for number of R&D personnel in full-time equivalent.
Thousands of euros for all financial variables, i.e. Turnover or R&D expenditure.
Percentage, the ratio between the selected combinations of indicators.
All questions and indicators refer to the calendar year
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
See below.
6.1.1. European legislation
| Legal acts / agreements | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) Regulation (EU) No 995/2012 concerning the production and development of Community statistics on science and technology until the end of 2020. 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. Please note that according to Article 12(4)of Regulation(EU) 2020/1197, the provisions of Regulation (EU) 995/2012 continue to apply for the reference years that fall before 1 January 2021. |
| Nature of the “obligations” of responsible national organisations to produce statistics and report to international organisations |
6.1.2. National legislation
| Existence of R&D specific statistical legislation | There is no R&D specific statistical legislation. |
| Legal acts | The compilation and dissemination of the data are governed by the Statistical Law No. 12/1989 "Public Statistical Function" of May 9, 1989, and Law No. 4/1990 of June 29 on “National Budget of State for the year 1990" amended by Law No. 13/1996 "Fiscal, administrative and social measures" of December 30, 1996, makes compulsory all statistics included in the National Statistics Plan. The National Statistics Plan 2021-2024, approved by Royal Decree 1110/2020, on 15th December, is the Plan currently implemented. This statistical operation has governmental purposes, and it is included in the National Statistics Plan 2021-2024. |
| Obligation of responsible organisations to produce statistics (as derived from the legal acts) | Regulated by the Statistical Law No. 12/1989 "Public Statistical Function" of May 9, 1989 |
| Right of responsible organisations to collect data – obligation of (natural / legal) persons to provide raw and administrative data (as derived from the legal acts) | Regulated by the Statistical Law No. 12/1989 "Public Statistical Function" of May 9, 1989 |
| Obligation of responsible organisations to protect confidential information from disclosure (as derived from the legal acts) | Regulated by the Statistical Law No. 12/1989 "Public Statistical Function" of May 9, 1989 |
| Rights of access of third organisations / persons to data and statistics (as derived from the legal acts) | Regulated by the Statistical Law No. 12/1989 "Public Statistical Function" of May 9, 1989 |
| Planned changes of legislation | Does not apply |
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:
In Spain, the main national legal regulations applicable to the protection of statistical data are:
-“Ley Orgánica 15/1999 de Protección de Datos de Carácter Personal”
-“Ley 12/1989 de la Función Estadística Pública”
-“Real Decreto 428/1993, de 26 de marzo, por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Agencia de Protección de Datos”.
-“Real Decreto 994/1999, de 11 de junio, por el que se aprueba el Reglamento de medidas de seguridad de los ficheros automatizados que contengan datos de carácter personal”.
b) Confidentiality commitments of survey staff:
Survey staff must sign a legal contract, ensuring the acknowledge of the confidentiality issues and data protection law, and therefore they also have legal commitments.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
R&D data deliveries to Eurostat are checked in order to avoid primary and secondary confidentiality. This is done by checking any cell with less than 3 population units, and properly modifying the table to avoid also secondary disclosure.
8.1. Release calendar
The advance release calendar that shows the precise release dates for the coming year is disseminated in the last quarter of each year.
8.2. Release calendar access
The calendar is disseminated on the INEs Internet website (Publications Calendar)
8.3. Release policy - user access
The data are released simultaneously according to the advance release calendar to all interested parties by issuing the press release. At the same time, the data are posted on the INE's Internet website (www.ine.es/en) almost immediately after the press release is issued. Also some predefined tailor-made requests are sent to registered users. Some users could receive partial information under embargo as it is publicly described in the European Statistics Code of Practice
It is disseminated 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 | Main results are published in a press release. |
| Ad-hoc releases | Y | There is the possibility of requesting customised information from the INE User Care Department. At the time of processing said requests, this considers limitations regarding confidentiality or precision. |
1) Y - Yes, N – No
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 availability since 1964.
Results:
http://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/en/index.htm?padre=3339&capsel=3343
Main results compiled into a single ZIP file “Statistics on R&D”:
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 | That research that wishes to gain access to the microdata must sign an agreement with the National Statistics Institute for access, for statistical purposes, by research personnel, to confidential INE data. The agreement describes the project and the need to access said microdata, specifies the period during which the research team will work in the INE, provides the name of the research team and establishes the agreement clauses, including the statistical confidentiality clause. This access shall be made through the so-called Secure Place, which consists of computers where said databases are available, and which verify a series of physical and technological provisions to protect the security and integrity of the statistical databases, which in practice implies that strict protocols are applied to those external users who wish to access the microdata for research purposes. The Secure Place is available, not only at the Central Services of the INE, but also in the Provincial Delegations. |
| Access cost policy | Products and Services/Information prices (See 'Information prices'). Prices of dissemination products from the National Statistics Institute (INE) were established in the Resolution on 7 October 2014 by the President of the National Statistics Institute by which the private prices for dissemination products of the body are established. (BOE 252, 17 October 2014). |
| Micro-data anonymisation rules | We supress every sensitive information that can disclose a unit |
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 | Apart from press release and the on-line database, there is no other type of data dissemination. From our point of view, the web-site offer R&D data with clarity and with an adequate structure. The accessibility to the data results is free |
|
| Data prepared for individual ad hoc requests | Y | More specific requirements of information made by national and international institutions as well as individual users can be fulfilled under request, but keeping statistical secrecy in any case. | |
| Other |
1) Y – Yes, N - No
10.6. Documentation on methodology
https://ine.es/en/daco/daco43/metoi+d21_en.pdf
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.) | In order to facilitate the adequate comprehension and use of data, some documents are also published together with them. These documents are: - a general methodology (including concepts and background of the survey, scope, statistical unit used, variables and its definitions, sample design, collection of information, processing of information, tabulation of results). - a model questionnaire used for the collection of the survey. - some more information related to the issue is also available in the website (link to R&D data in Eurostat web page, national time series). |
| Request on further clarification, most problematic issues | Besides, if a user have any request or doubt concerning data or metadata, it is possible to contact with the Science and Technology Unit (via an electronic template) in order to obtain a more extended response or clarification. |
| Measure to increase clarity | |
| Impression of users on the clarity of the accompanying information to the data |
11.1. Quality assurance
Quality assurance framework for the INE statistics is based on the ESSCoP, the European Statistics Code of Practice made by EUROSTAT.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
- Actions for increasing the rate of response in surveys:
- We use the helping approach: a strategy of specifically requesting help as a way to compel participation.
- We try to conduct a well-designed, attractive survey in order to be easier to complete it.
- The use of multiple contacts with members of the sample. We contact non-respondents using combination of messages and surveys.
- Quality management in data processing: A check list of the different ways a data set is validated (internal consistency checks, non-zero values, number of records in is equal to number of records out) combined with responses with various outcomes (weak error and strong error)
- Annual mandatory survey with high response rate.
- Time series available.
- Methodology of the survey in line with the Frascati Manual.
- Full compliance of the Commission Regulation No 995/2012.
- Overall quality of data deemed to be very good.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
See below.
12.1.1. Needs at national level
| Users’ class1 | Description of users | Users’ needs |
| 1 European level | The European Commission. | Data used for indicators. |
| 1 National level | Ministries and Public Authorities | Data used for policy-making and assessment of R&D phenomena |
| 1 National level | National Statistical Office | Data used for annual publication on R&D |
| 1 National level | Local authorities | Data used for policy-making and assessment of R&D phenomena |
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 | The INE conducted five general surveys of user satisfaction in 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019. The specific needs of users are also taken into account when revising the survey design, in order to adapt the content of the survey to the specific requirements of its users, increasing the level of satisfaction. |
| User satisfaction survey specific for R&D statistics | No, it covers all the statistical operations of the institution. |
| Short description of the feedback received | - |
12.3. Completeness
See below.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
not available
12.3.2. Data availability
Share of PNP R&D expenditure in GERD (Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D):
12.3.2.1. Incorporation of PNP sector in another sector
| Incorporation of PNP in another sector | N |
| Reasons for not producing separate R&D statistics for the PNP sector | |
| Share of PNP expenditure in the total expenditure of the other sector | |
| Share of PNP R&D Personnel in the respective figure of the other sector |
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 | N |
| PNP R&D expenditure/ GERD*100) | |
| 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 | – by qualification and by sex. | -qualification (ISCED 6, ISCED 5A, ISCED5B, ISCED4) | |||
| Number of R&D researchers in HC | – by qualification and by sex. – by citizenship and by sex. |
-qualification (ISCED 6, ISCED 5A, ISCED5B, ISCED4) -citizenship (‘national citizenship’,‘citizenship of other EU Member States’, ‘citizenship of other European countries’, ‘citizenship of North America’, ‘citizenship of Central America’, ’citizenship of South America’ ,‘citizenship of Asia’, ‘citizenship of Africa’, ‘citizenship of Oceania’) |
|||
| Number of R&D personnel in full-time equivalent (FTE) | - by occupation and by sex. - by qualification. - by region (NUTS2) and by sex. |
- qualification (ISCED 6, ISCED 5A, ISCED5B, ISCED4). | |||
| Number of R&D researchers in full-time equivalent (FTE) | -by qualification (ISCED 6, ISCED 5A, ISCED5B, ISCED4). | - qualification (ISCED 6, ISCED 5A, ISCED5B, ISCED4). | |||
| Intramural R&D Expenditure | - by source of funds. - by type of cost |
-source of funds (Own funds, Funds from the Government (Funds from the Central Government and their autonomous bodies, Funds from the Regional Government and their autonomous bodies, Other regional governments and their autonomous bodies, Funds from the Local Government), Funds from BES (public or private and research associations), Funds from HES (public or private), Funds from PNP, Funds from abroad (Foreign enterprises, EU funding, Foreign Governments, Foreign HES, Foreign PNP, Funds from other international organizations). - type of cost (Labour costs (Researcher’s labour cost, Technicians and other staff’s cost), Other current costs, Lands&buildings, Instruments&equipment, Software for R&D, Other intellectual property rights for R&D). |
|||
| Extramural R&D expenditure | Y-2008 at least | Annual |
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 : Statistics on R&D Activities are a census operation, so there are no sampling errors.
Coefficient of variation for Total R&D personnel (FTE) :
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:
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
2,14%
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:31/12/2021
b) Date of first release of national data:31/10/2022
c) Lag (days):305
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
a) End of reference period:31/12/2021
b) Date of first release of national data:30/06/2023
c) Lag (days):547
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) | 0 | 0 |
| 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 recommendations
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 | |
| 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 | |
| Survey questionnaire / data collection form | NO | |
| Cooperation with respondents | NO | |
| Data processing methods | NO | |
| Treatment of non-response | NO | |
| 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) | 17 | 2002 | The decrease in the R&D of the PNP sector is due to reclassification of certain institutes to the Business and Government sectors following Frascati Manual guidelines. Also, occasional R&D is included. |
| Function | |||
| Qualification | |||
| R&D personnel (FTE) | 17 | 2002 | The decrease in the R&D of the PNP sector is due to reclassification of certain institutes to the Business and Government sectors following Frascati Manual guidelines. Also, occasional R&D is included. |
| Function | |||
| Qualification | |||
| R&D expenditure | 17 | 2002 | The decrease in the R&D of the PNP sector is due to reclassification of certain institutes to the Business and Government sectors following Frascati Manual guidelines. Also, occasional R&D is included. |
| Source of funds | |||
| Type of costs | |||
| Type of R&D | |||
| Other |
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
-
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
See below.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not requested.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
On the one hand, the classification used for R&D data collection activities is compatible with the SNA institutional classification, with the exception of the higher education sector, which is identified as a separate sector because of its prominence in R&D activities.
On the other hand, R&D data in the SNA calculations allows, apart from translating R&D expenditure data into a SNA compatible format, computing R&D capital stock and its appropriate deflators.
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) | 56081 | 634,2 | 348,9 |
| Final data (delivered T+18) | 56081 | 634,2 | 348,9 |
| Difference (of final data) | 0 | 0 |
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) | 35515 |
| Consistency between FTEs of external R&D personnel and other current costs for external R&D personnel (2) | 27307 |
(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 | not available | |
| Data collection costs | not available | |
| Other costs | not available | |
| Total costs | 226460 | |
| 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) | not available | |
| Average Time required to complete the questionnaire in hours (T)1 | not available | |
| Average hourly cost (in national currency) of a respondent (C) | not available | |
| Total cost | not available |
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 | "Estadística sobre Actividades de I+D" |
| Type of survey | Census. There is a directory of units that performed R&D in previous years (DIRID), that is covered exhaustively. This directory is updated yearly with new units that benefited from public support or grants for R&D (including not only Central Government but also almost all Autonomous Communities Governments). |
| Combination of sample survey and census data | not applicable |
| Combination of dedicated R&D and other survey(s) | not applicable |
| Sub-population A (covered by sampling) | not applicable |
| Sub-population B (covered by census) | 140 |
| Variables the survey contributes to | All variables. |
| Survey timetable-most recent implementation | The questionnaires are launched in the 2Q; data collection is carried out during the 2 and 3Q and the first results are published in November. |
18.1.2. Sample/census survey information
| Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | |
| Sampling unit | The statistical unit is the one with legal entity. | ||
| Stratification variables (if any - for sample surveys only) | not applicable | ||
| Stratification variable classes | not applicable | ||
| Population size | not applicable | ||
| Planned sample size | not applicable | ||
| Sample selection mechanism (for sample surveys only) | not applicable | ||
| Survey frame | There is a directory of organizations and centers that performed R&D in previous years, that is covered exhaustively. This directory is updated yearly with new centers. | ||
| Sample design | |||
| Sample size | |||
| Survey frame quality |
18.1.3. Information on collection of administrative data or of pre-compiled statistics
| Source | not applicable |
| Description of collected data / statistics | not applicable |
| Reference period, in relation to the variables the survey contributes to | not applicable |
18.2. Frequency of data collection
The survey is annual
18.3. Data collection
See below.
18.3.1. Data collection overview
| Information provider | The questionnaire is sent to the director of each unit. |
| Description of collected information | |
| Data collection method | The data collection method is mainly by mailed questionnaires, but an electronic questionnaire is also available (99,1% of the questionnaires were collected by this method in 2017). The information is collected directly from the S&T Unit. |
| Time-use surveys for the calculation of R&D coefficients | |
| Realised sample size (per stratum) | |
| Mode of data collection (face-to-face interviews; telephone interviews; postal surveys, etc.) | The data collection method is mainly by electronic questionnaire, but also mailed questionnaire is used if requested. |
| Incentives used for increasing response | - |
| Follow-up of non-respondents | There are two written official reminders before the unit is fined, as the completion of the survey is mandatory. Nevertheless, the unit can be contacted by phone, fax or e-mail during the process of data collection. |
| Replacement of non-respondents (e.g. if proxy interviewing is employed) | no |
| Response rate (ratio of completed "interviews" over total number of eligible enterprises or enterprises of unknown eligibility) | 97,14% |
| Non-response analysis (if applicable -- also see section 18.5. Data compilation - Weighting and Estimation methods) | No non-response analysis is carried out. |
18.3.2. Questionnaire and other documents
| Annex | Name of the file |
| R&D national questionnaire and explanatory notes in English: | i+dip21_en.pdf |
| R&D national questionnaire and explanatory notes in the national language: | i+dip21_cues.pdf |
| Other relevant documentation of national methodology in English: | metoi+d21_en.pdf |
| Other relevant documentation of national methodology in the national language: | metoi+d21.pdf |
Annexes:
R&D national questionnaire and explanatory notes in English
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
18.4. Data validation
The responses rate are checked.
Statistics are compared both over time and between regions.
A micro and macro editing is performed in order to capture inconsistencies using CSPRO and SAS programs.
18.5. Data compilation
See below.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
R&D Expenditure 2,86%
R%D Personnel 2,86%
18.5.2. Data compilation methods
| Data compilation method - Final data (between the survey years) | The R&D survey is carried out annually. |
| Data compilation method - Preliminary data | Preliminary data is sent to Eurostat in T+10 according to Regulation, and it is compiled on the basis of data collection for the reference year. |
18.5.3. Measurement issues
| Method of derivation of regional data | According to Frascati Manual, with a dedicate section in the questionnaire. |
| Coefficients used for estimation of the R&D share of more general expenditure items | Those who compile the statistics use their own assumptions. |
| Inclusion or exclusion of VAT and provisions for depreciation in the measurement of expenditures | Enterprises do not include VAT in R&D expenditure in view of the VAT accounting procedures followed by Spanish enterprises. Accordingly, VAT is not included in the R&D expenditure of other sectors. Depreciation is also excluded in the measurement of expenditures in all sectors. |
| Differences between national and Frascati Manual classifications not mentioned above and impact on national statistics | not available |
18.5.4. Weighting and estimation methods
| Description of weighting method | Weighting is only used for BE sector, as the other statistics are census. These factors are initially 1 in case of the census part, and the inverse of the sampling fraction for the sampling part. When the collection is finalized, there is a recalculation of weighting factors. |
| Description of the estimation method | not applicable |
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.
Statistics on science, technology and innovation were collected based on the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) Regulation (EU) No 995/2012 concerning the production and development of Community statistics on science and technology until the end of 2020. 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. Please note that according to Article 12(4) of Regulation (EU) 2020/1197, the provisions of Regulation (EU) 995/2012 continue to apply for the reference years that fall before 1 January 2021.
24 October 2023
See below.
Statistical units are those of the target population with legal entity.
See below.
Not requested. R&D statistics cover national and regional data.
All questions and indicators refer to the 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.
Indicators are available according to 4 units of measure:
Whole number for number of units or number of R&D personnel in headcount.
Number with a decimal place for number of R&D personnel in full-time equivalent.
Thousands of euros for all financial variables, i.e. Turnover or R&D expenditure.
Percentage, the ratio between the selected combinations of indicators.
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.
It is disseminated 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.
