Description
Two economists apply evaluation methods to document value as a systematic way of evaluating the performance of public institutions, taking case studies from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology as an example of technology-based agencies. They begin by explaining why such institutions should be evaluated, and discussing public policies, economic models, and performance evaluation metrics. Then they highlight such case studies as an optical detector calibration program, software error compensation research, an alternative refrigerant research program, spectral irradiance standards, and a flat panel display joint venture. The conclude with a chapter on best practices in performance evaluation. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Public Accountability: Evaluating Technology-Based Institutions presents guidelines for evaluating the research performance of technology-based public institutions, and illustrates these guidelines through case studies conducted at one technology-based public institution, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The aim of this book is to demonstrate that a clear, more precise response to the question of performance accountability is possible through the systematic application of evaluation methods to document value. The authors begin with a review of the legislative history of fiscal accountability beginning with the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, and ending with the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993. A discussion of existing applicable economic models, methods, and associated metrics follows. The book concludes with evaluation case studies.
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