Decades Of Data Collection Research Articles

Performance metrics for a technology commercialisation program

This paper describes the results of an evaluation of the Energy-Related Inventions Program (ERIP), one of the longest-running commercialisation assistance programs in the USA. The program has been subjected to a series of evaluations since 1984. The performance metrics produced over this decade of data collection, when compared with metrics from other technology innovation efforts, suggest that the Energy-Related Inventions Program has been highly successful. The process of generating these metrics has underscored some of the difficult issues that must be addressed to fairly appraise public investments in technology commercialisation. These include: (1) the need to track the progress of program participants for extended periods; (2) complexities associated with accounting for spin-off technologies; (3) determining the external and internal validity of program evaluations; and (4) dealing with performance data that are dominated by a small number of highly successful technologies.

Management of inflammatory bowel disease: 30 years of observation

Management of inflammatory bowel disease has become more precise and effective in the last 30 years, ensuring long, productive lives for most patients. Data such as family history, duration of disease, the onset of complications, and type of therapy are presented from 450 patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated during a 10-year period ending in 1984. The incidence of general complications over three decades is compared. Perianal disease and intestinal obstructions dominate complications of Crohn's disease. The most common nongastrointestinal complication for patients with either disease is monarticular large joint arthritis. Approximately 75% of patients with Crohn's disease will eventually undergo surgery. In the first decade of data collection, 50% of patients with ulcerative colitis had surgery; in the second decade, 26%; and in the third decade, 39%. The changing percentages correspond initially to advances in medical therapy and then to advances in surgical therapy.