Categorical Evaluation of Scientific Research Efficiency in Chinese Universities: Basic and Applied Research

Abstract

The categorical evaluation of scientific research efficiency is of great significance to technological innovation and research management. It is also helpful to promote the sustainable development of basic research and applied research in universities. In this study, 32 “Double First-Class” universities directly under the Ministry of Education in China were evaluated with the research efficiency evaluation system of basic research and applied research used, which is constructed based on the “research efficiency classification evaluation”. The empirical results show that the efficiency of basic research is low but total factor productivity grows faster, while the efficiency of applied research is high but total factor productivity grows slowly, and the gap between the two will be further reduced in the future. At the same time, scientific research efficiency depends on the type of university and disciplinary strengths: Comprehensive and normal universities are good at basic research while scientific and agricultural and forestry universities are more efficient in applied research. Universities should consolidate their strengths while making key breakthroughs on their shortcomings, optimize the structure of research inputs and outputs, and improve the efficiency of research resources utilization to actively promote the national innovation system and the construction of a powerful nation of science and technology.