Desarrollo histórico de los indicadores de ciencia y Tecnología, avances en América Latina y México

Science and technology (S&T) indicators are very useful in the development of research policies. They assist decision-makers in distributing resources appropriately, in the awarding of funding, in the management of research groups and projects, and, via the identification of capacities and weaknesses, better orientate research. These indicators are widely used, following internationally accepted methodologies that have been developed since the 1930s and adapted to the needs of different times. However, the relationship between engineering, technology and economic activity has insufficient indicators and there is a lack of methodologies for investigating it; the accurate assessment of the social, educational, cultural, environmental and commercial impact(s) of engineering projects is very difficult. With the aim of being able to determine the impact of research and technological development, this work discusses the main advances made in the use of S&T indicators. Emphasis is placed on the need to develop new methodologies for assessing the socioeconomic impact of science and technology, particularly from the perspective of Latin American countries.