About the OST
L'Observatoire des sciences et des technologies (OST) is an organization devoted to the measurement of science, technology and innovation (STI). Since its inception in 1997, the OST has earned an enviable reputation in the field of STI measurement. This achievement is based on two complementary types of activity.
First, because of its association to the Centre interuniversitaire de recherche sur la science et la technologie (CIRST), the OST draws upon a group of researchers who advance knowledge in the field by creating or improving scientometric indicators, by developing new analyses and conclusions regarding these indicators, and by training new specialists.
Second, the OST’s technical team helps construct, enhance and maintain several databases on R&D, funding, patents and publications. This involves a data cleansing process that minimizes the dispersion of information on researchers and their institutional affiliations. Their database knowledge allows them to prepare detailed maps of Canadian, as well as worldwide, expertise in science and technology, yielding valuable information for targeting interventions and identifying collaborations.
As an organization devoted to STI measurement, part of the Observatoire’s work consists in the development and maintenance of data. Some of its accomplishments in the area of database development include:
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The Canadian Bibliometric Database (CBD)™. Constructed by the OST using the Science Citation Index, Social Sciences Citation Index and the Arts and Humanities Citation Index databases of the Institute for Scientific Information ISI©, the CBD lists publications by Canadian researchers according to discipline, institution, collaborative partners, etc. This database also supplies indicators on Canadian publications like volume of publications, international or sectoral collaboration, impact factor and specialization index.
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The creation of Awards Search Engines for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. Stored on the OST’s server, these search engines provide easy access to information on grants awarded by NSERC and SSHRC, thus allowing users to gain a fuller picture of federally funded research and training.
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Database of Canadian patents filed in the United States (USPTO - United States Patent Trademark Office). This database supplies innovation indicators, like the number of US patents obtained by Canadian inventors.
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In addition to producing data, the OST’s mission also includes services for our partners and knowledge transfer.