Survey of the HSE Institute for Statistical Research and Economics of Knowledge on the Digital Transformation of Science

The digital transformation of science is manifested primarily in the mastery of digital technologies and research methods (applied programming, computer modeling, etc.) by scientists, follows from a survey of representatives of scientific organizations and universities conducted by the Institute for Statistical Research and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK) of the National Research University Higher School of Economics. These skills, according to them, are generally at a good level (3.82 points on a five-point scale) and in a three-year perspective they should improve a little more (to 3.95 points).

According to the results of the ISSEK study (which is a continuation of the 2017 Doing Science project), the second place among the factors of digitalization of science with a score of 3.79 points is the organization of the work of libraries (including the content of funds and the level of search service). Three years later, in conditions of limited access to foreign databases of scientific and technical information, respondents expect the situation to change for the worse (a decrease in the score to 3.50 points).

In third place is the creation of internal corporate information networks in scientific organizations: knowledge bases, portals, information systems (3.70 points). Here, the respondents expect continued dynamic development (an increase in the score to 3.94 points). Things are a little worse with the availability of patent analysis services (patent search, patent clearance analysis) – the current score is 3.67 points, in three years it is expected to decrease to 3.56 points.

Also in the top five digitalization factors is the already mentioned access to foreign databases of scientific and technical information. Scientists draw attention to the increased complexity in this area – if now the situation is estimated at a low 3.61 points, then in three years the respondents expect it to worsen further to 3.21 points.

In connection with the sanctions, there are also risks associated with equipping with specialized software for research – this factor is estimated at 3.33 points, and in a three-year perspective, respondents do not expect changes. This situation is due to the termination of foreign licenses, the lack of Russian analogues of such software or the lack of skills to work with them.

Venera Petrova