Enhancing the Impact of Research at Federal Research Organizations
Abstract
This study explored the contributors and limiters to impact achievement in the mission-oriented research that takes place in the federal research environment. Research organizations in this environment include federal government laboratories, University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). These organizations are funded and overseen by the United States federal government. The federal research program used for data collection was The MITRE Corporations Innovation Program spanning seven FFRDCs. A convergent mixed methods approach was used with a multiple case study design. An expert panel performed validation of the research questions, data collection and analysis plan, findings, and recommendations. The study identified, tested, and validated an evaluative framework and methodology adapted from Martin Buxton and Stephen Hanney's Payback Framework (1994) for performing multiple case studies of completed federal research projects. Forty-one findings resulted from the data analysis across eight themes: Research Topic Selection, Research Team, Collaborative Behavior, Research Achievement, Research Culture, Research Program Management, and Research Automation Services. From these themes, factors that contribute to and limit researchers' ability to achieve research outcomes and impacts in the federal research environment were identified. Seven recommendations were made for consideration by federal research organizations to enhance their researchers' ability to achieve outcomes and make an impact.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1083231
Entities
People
- John F. Kane
Organizations
- MITRE Corporation