MEDIA RELEASE
March 31, 2008
Embargoed 11.30 am (AEDT)
26/2008
A New Research Classification For A New Century
Emerging areas of biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development
(R&D) are among listings in a new comprehensive research classification released by
the Australian Bureau of Statistics today.
The 2008 Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)
was developed to meet the dual needs for a comprehensive description of today's
research environment, as well as the ability to compare R&D statistics internationally.
Growing policy interest in areas of energy production, climate change and
environmental protection, as well new fields of R&D, led to a need to update the
previous classification, the Australian Standard Research Classification (ASRC).
The areas of energy and environment and technology and environmental science have
been significantly updated in the classification to reflect growing research interest and
R&D output.
Classifications are a tool used by the ABS, as well as others in government, academia
and the private sector, to ensure that data on particular topics are consistently
described. This improves both data reporting and resource allocation.
ANZSRC 2008 was developed in collaboration with Statistics New Zealand after
extensive consultation with the review's Technical Reference Group and other users
of the previous classification. ANZSRC 2008 also meets OECD guidelines and is
aligned to the OECD’s Frascati Manual, which sets standard practice for surveys of
R&D, and the 2006 Fields of Science and Technology classification.
The 2008 Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification allows for
research to be categorised by stage of development, methodology and objective.
The ABS will immediately start using ANZSRC in its surveys of research and
experimental development and the first data collected using the new classification will
be published in mid-2009.
The ABS wishes to acknowledge the funding contribution from the Australian
Research Council in enabling the ABS to undertake the review.
More information is available in Australian and New Zealand Standard Research
Classification 2008 (cat. no. 1297.0).
NEWS 
