The Effects of Research & Development Funding on Scientific Productivity: Academic Chemistry, 1990-2009

57 Pages Posted: 22 Oct 2014 Last revised: 10 Apr 2023

See all articles by Joshua L. Rosenbloom

Joshua L. Rosenbloom

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Iowa State University - Department of Economics

Donna K. Ginther

University of Kansas - Department of Economics

Ted Juhl

University of Kansas - Department of Economics

Joseph Heppert

University of Kansas

Date Written: October 2014

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between Research & Development (R&D) funding and the production of knowledge by academic chemists. Using articles published, either raw counts or adjusted for quality, we find a strong, positive causal effect of funding on knowledge production. This effect is similar across subsets of universities, suggesting a relatively efficient allocation of R&D funds. Finally, we document a rapid acceleration in the rate at which chemical knowledge was produced in the late 1990s and early 2000s relative to the financial and human resources devoted to its production.

Suggested Citation

Rosenbloom, Joshua L. and Ginther, Donna K. and Juhl, Ted and Heppert, Joseph, The Effects of Research & Development Funding on Scientific Productivity: Academic Chemistry, 1990-2009 (October 2014). NBER Working Paper No. w20595, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2513155

Joshua L. Rosenbloom (Contact Author)

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
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Iowa State University - Department of Economics ( email )

260 Heady Hall
Ames, IA 50011
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Donna K. Ginther

University of Kansas - Department of Economics ( email )

1300 Sunnyside Drive
Lawrence, KS 66045-7585
United States

Ted Juhl

University of Kansas - Department of Economics ( email )

Lawrence, KS 66049
United States
785 864-2849 (Phone)

Joseph Heppert

University of Kansas ( email )

1415
Lawrence, KS 66045
United States

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