A critical analysis of the Army Research Office's funding approach and its potential consequences for the U.S. Army and basic research

In West's Last Report: Is There an Optimal Funding Strategy for STEM Research?, Dr. West provides an in-depth analysis of the Army Research Office's (ARO) funding strategies and the statistical complexities that shape decisions about research support. The book addresses a pressing concern expressed by Pentagon leaders—that government resources would be more effectively spent by concentrating research support exclusively on top universities. Dr. West's analysis challenges this assumption by exploring the inverse power law (IPL) statistics, which reveal significant complexities in the relationship between research value and the number of papers published or cited. The statistics involved in evaluating research quality make the construction and interpretation of viable measures of research problematic, complicating what would otherwise be a straightforward question.

Key Messages From the Book

West's Last Report explores the statistical challenges that underpin research funding decisions, particularly in the context of STEM disciplines. Dr. West dives into the IPL distributions of research value, which suggest that simply shifting funds toward top universities could result in a disproportionate loss of research value. His findings emphasize the importance of maintaining a diverse funding strategy that includes smaller research entities, as the concentrated funding of top universities may not yield the best overall return on investment for the Army or for the broader U.S. research landscape.

The book focuses heavily on the interpretations of various funding strategies, rather than the mathematical specifics of IPL, offering a broad perspective on the underlying issues without delving into complex equations. The study, concluded prior to Dr. West's retirement from the ARO in 2021, underscores the critical need for a well-balanced, inclusive research funding approach.

About the Author

Dr. West is a seasoned research strategist and analyst, with decades of experience at the Army Research Office (ARO). He led significant studies on STEM research funding and played a pivotal role in developing strategies that supported innovation across the scientific community. After his retirement in July of 2021, Dr. West authored this important work, drawing on his expertise to provide a comprehensive look at the practical and statistical considerations behind research funding.

Book Availability

West’s Last Report: Is There an Optimal Funding Strategy for STEM Research? is available now on Amazon. Dr. West’s critical analysis of the Army Research Office’s funding strategies is an essential read for policymakers, researchers, and anyone interested in the future of STEM research and its impact on national defense.

Read West's Last Report on Amazon

Global Book Network - Bruce J. West, Author of West's Last Report

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