Lost numbers game
Article Abstract:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) based its projection that a shortage of 675,000 scientists will hit the US in the next 20 years on faulty research and erroneous assumptions. For instance, the NSF's belief that the supply of working 22-year-olds is representative of the labor supply in general is invalidated by the millions of scientists working outside their original specialties. Moreover, many ambiguities hinder the forecasting of labor supply and demand. This ill-considered report has damaged the NSF's reputation.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
NSF falls short on shortage
Article Abstract:
A 1987 National Science Foundation (NSF) report projecting a cumulative shortage of 675,000 scientists during the next 20 years was valueless because of the slipshod research on which it was based. The investigations subcommittee of the US House's science committee found that the report, written by NSF analyst Peter House, was so riddled with errors and false assumptions that it should not help determine federal policy. Subcommittee member Howard Wolpe criticized the NSF for not admitting that the report was a mistake.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Alberts emphasizes education as nominee to head NAS
Article Abstract:
The governing council of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has nominated biochemist Bruce Alberts to become the NAS's new president. Alberts, an American Cancer Society research professor at the University of California in San Francisco, will succeed Frank Press whose second five-year term will end in Jul 1993. Alberts, who gained renown through research on DNA replication, promises to stress education while leading the NAS.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Asia's tigers get blue. Genetics question fees for use of patented 'junk' DNA. The bugs of war
- Abstracts: See and grasp. Facial expressions linked to monkey calls. Neurophysiological investigation of the basis of the fMRI signal
- Abstracts: Protein joins transport family. Variation is now the theme. Steady steps lead to the gene
- Abstracts: Neutrophil influx into an inflammatory site inhibited by a soluble homing receptor-IgG chimaera. Sulphation requirement for GlyCAM-1, an endothelial ligand for L-selectin
- Abstracts: Theory and development. Evaluation of the model. Predicting lean growth while accounting for correlated traits