PRIORITIES IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH: A METHODOLOGICAL PROPOSAL

Abstract

The object of this study is to assist in the process of assigning priorities in the allocation of resources for agricultural research. The principal methods of assigning priority are described and analyzed: 1) scores; 2) economic surplus; 3) congruence; 4) linear programming; and 5) econometric and simulation methods. An exercise is made in assigning priorities for products and research lines, following the scoring method, with a multidisciplinary and multiinstitutional panel of judges. The exercise in assigning priority indicated the priority products, classified as high, medium and low priority. The results indicate that the program should assign priority to research on banana and other fruit trees, followed by sugarcane. In the following stage, degrees of priority are established to products and research lines. Degrees of priority attained in this study represent an important technical support to research planning. The model is easily applied in assigning priority to products and research lines in science and technology organizations.