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Subjectivity in Ex Ante Research Evaluation

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  • C. Richard Shumway

Abstract

This essay is a critique of research evaluation research. Considerable evidence exists that agricultural research conducted during the era when projects were chosen by diffuse selection systems yielded extraordinarily high returns. It is not obvious that the formalized, quantitative, and typically centralized selection models can be expected to produce higher contemporary returns than the decentralized informal mechanisms. All ex ante evaluations are intrinsically subjective, regardless of technique used to generate the evaluation. The extreme uncertainty surrounding the nonrepetitive new-knowledge production function further limits the potential of the sophisticated selection procedures. Perhaps of greatest importance, however, are the high costs imposed by these procedures in terms of scientists' time, morale, and "artistic" research tool atrophication.
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Suggested Citation

  • C. Richard Shumway, 1981. "Subjectivity in Ex Ante Research Evaluation," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 63(1), pages 169-173.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:ajagec:v:63:y:1981:i:1:p:169-173.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.2307/1239826
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    1. Rausser, Gordon C. & de Janvry, Alain & Schmitz, Andrew & Zilberman, David D., 1980. "Principal issues in the evaluation of public research in agriculture," Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, UC Berkeley, Working Paper Series qt74v9m7dh, Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, UC Berkeley.
    2. George W. Ladd, 1979. "Artistic Research Tools for Scientific Minds," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 61(1), pages 1-11.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hardaker, J. Brian & Anderson, Jock R. & Dillon, John L., 1984. "Perspectives On Assessing The Impacts Of Improved Agricultural Technologies In Developing Countries," Australian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 28(2-3), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Jeffrey C. Stier, 1990. "Economic Efficiency of Forest Tree Improvement Programs in the North Central Region," Evaluation Review, , vol. 14(3), pages 227-246, June.
    3. Pannell, D. J., 1999. "On the estimation of on-farm benefits of agricultural research," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 61(2), pages 123-134, August.
    4. Kuehne, Geoff & Nicholson, Cam & Robertson, Michael & Llewellyn, Rick & McDonald, Cam, 2012. "Engaging project proponents in R&D evaluation using bio-economic and socio-economic tools," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 94-103.
    5. Biggs SD. & Clay EJ., 1983. "Generation and diffusion of agricultural technology: a review of theories and experiences," ILO Working Papers 992260213402676, International Labour Organization.
    6. repec:ilo:ilowps:226021 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. De Marinis, Pietro & Sali, Guido, 2020. "Participatory analytic hierarchy process for resource allocation in agricultural development projects," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    8. David N. Bengston & H. Fred Kaiser, 1988. "Research Planning and Evaluation in the U.S. Forest Service," Evaluation Review, , vol. 12(3), pages 276-290, June.
    9. Randall, Alan, 1982. "Policy Science In The Land-Grant Complex: A Perspective On Natural Resource Economics," Southern Journal of Agricultural Economics, Southern Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, July.
    10. Michael Harris & Alan Lloyd, 1991. "The Returns to Agricultural Research and the Underinvestment Hypothesis ‐ A Survey," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 24(3), pages 16-27, July.
    11. Araji, A. A. & White, F. C. & Guenthner, J. F., 1994. "Return To Potato Research," A.E. Research Series 305115, University of Idaho, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology.

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