National Research Classification System - public consultation

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is inviting contributions and submissions from interested people and organisations on a draft national research classification system, for the fields of research and socio-economic objective classifications. You will find a description of these classifications in the ‘Classifications’ section below.

We encourage all researchers to examine the draft classification and ensure their research activities and interests are included in the structure. Your contribution will make sure the classification accurately represents particular features of Irish research today. The classification will be used in future government reporting on nationally-funded research across all departments and agencies, so it is important that you make sure your research activities are represented.

Make your contribution by:

• reviewing the fields of research (FoR) or socio-economic objective (SEO) spreadsheets in the ‘Classifications’ section below
• completing a short survey, through the external consultation button at the bottom of this page

The consultation will be open from 7 February to 21 March 2022.

The department is developing the first national research classification system to underpin the further development of Ireland’s research and innovation system. Having a national standard research classification will help these efforts by:

• creating a common language around research
• improving transparency across the Irish research system

This first national standard research classification aims to be inclusive of all research-performing sectors in Ireland. It will be used to categorise all publicly-funded research in Ireland. The classification system will enable consistent comparison of research statistics and data nationally and it will contribute to improving accountability and transparency in reporting of publically-funded research in Ireland.

Preliminary work has resulted in a draft classification, which is primarily based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC 2020). Key stakeholders from government, funding agencies, the research community and international experts have developed the classification over the last 12 months. The proposed Irish national research classification covers 3 classifications. The final classification will be published later in 2022.

Classifications

Type of activity (TOA)

Enables research and development (R&D) activity to be categorised according to the type of research effort:

• basic research
• applied research
• experimental development

Fields of research (FoR)

Allows R&D activity to be categorised according to common knowledge domains or methodologies used in the R&D.

FoR is a hierarchical classification and includes three levels:

• divisions (at the broadest level)
• groups
• fields (at the finest level)

You can find a full list and definitions of FoR divisions, groups and fields in the spreadsheet below.

Socio-economic objective (SEO)

Allows R&D to be categorised according to the intended purpose or outcome of the R&D, as perceived by the data provider or researcher.

SEO is a hierarchical classification and includes three levels:

• divisions (at the broadest level)
• groups
• objectives (at the finest level)

You can find a full list and definitions of SEO divisions, groups and objectives in the spreadsheet below.

To view the consultation click the button below.