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This strategy has been examined using the broad themes of:

• organisational focus on producing quality research
• improving the contribution of research to national goals
• developing research networks and collaboration
• support for new and emerging researchers.

Overall pattern

As shown in the overview, around half of TEOs had change-focused objectives in this strategy in 2005/07 profiles, increasing to nearly two-thirds in 2006/08 profiles. The growth in focus has largely been in the ITP and wānanga sub-sectors.

In 2005/07 profiles the main focus was on the areas of developing quality research programmes and networks and collaboration. The increased focus in 2006/08 profiles has largely been concentrated on developing quality research programmes.

Percentage of TEOs with change-focused objectives relating to ‘Research and knowledge creation’ by theme area

The relationship between having objectives in this strategy and bachelors degree and postgraduate students in the institution was examined. A relationship was found between having research objectives and the number and proportion of degree and postgraduate students. This finding reflects the requirement for degrees to be taught mainly by people engaged in research.¹

A relationship was also found to the number of EFTS. This latter finding mostly reflects that institutions with degree and postgraduate programmes tend to be larger in EFTS terms.

Focus on research quality

From 2005/07 to 2006/08 there has been an increased focus on developing quality research programmes across ITPs, universities and wānanga.

Percentage of TEOs with change-focused objectives relating to ‘focus on research quality’ by sub-sector

The one ITO with a focus in this area in 2005/07 has an objective of using industry training as a means of knowledge and technology transfer, reflecting latest research.

In 2005/07 ITP profiles, most of the objectives in this area focused on further development of their research programme and capability. There was a definite focus on applied research and research by staff in degree and postgraduate programmes. Many of the objectives were worded around supporting, fostering and developing research within the institution and raising the quantity of output. There was less emphasis on specific infrastructure.

The 2006/08 ITP profiles had a similar focus on developing their research programme and capability. A number referred to developing a research culture within their institution and there was more focus on the quality, as well as quantity, of output.

In the 2005/07 university profiles, the focus was on specific infrastructural developments. These included the establishment of management positions to oversee research development, improved allocation of research funding and recognition of excellence. The 2006/08 profiles included a broader focus on developing research programmes, as well as specific research centres.

In 2006/08 profiles, all three wānanga referred to development of their research programmes and capability.

Across the sub-sectors, there were six TEIs that made specific reference to the PBRF. In the case of ITPs and wānanga this was in terms of preparing for participation in the next round. In the case of universities, this was in terms of improved results from the next round.

Contribution to national goals

Across the two years of profiles, only one ITP, two universities and one wānanga framed any research objectives in terms of the contribution of research to national goals. This is not to say that other TEIs are not contributing, but rather they are not considering their contribution in an explicit manner.

Percentage of TEOs with change-focused objectives relating to ‘contribution of research to national goals’ by sub-sector

In both years, the two universities had broad research objectives that referred to contributing to national goals. In one case, the objective was supported by specific actions regarding Māori research, networks and collaborations, and projects in the three Growth and Innovation Framework priority areas of information technology, biotechnology and creative industries. The wānanga contribution was specifically around the development of Māori-related research. The ITP referred to research that meets expressed needs of business.

Networks and collaboration

This was mostly an area of focus for universities in both years. In addition, there was increased focus on this area from ITPs and wānanga in 2006/08 profiles.

Percentage of TEOs with change-focused objectives relating to ‘research networks and collaboration’ by sub-sector

This is an area of developing focus in ITPs. Their main focus is on collaboration with business and communities. In 2006/08 profiles, there was also mention of increased research contracts and developing links with researchers in other TEIs and private consultancy.

In the universities, apart from general statements about improving collaboration and linkages with end users, the most common focuses in 2005/07 were on linkages with business and industry and international linkages. Some also focused on linkages with other TEIs or research organisations and with Māori and iwi. In 2006/08, the focus was more around international linkages and increasing contract research and commercialisation.

In 2005/07 the one wānanga with an objective in this area had a focus on developing long-term alliances and partnerships, and developing a specific international partnership and collaboration with iwi. In 2006/08, wānanga with objectives in this area had a focus on increasing research contracts and research consultancy.

One ITO had an objective around establishing alliances with research organisations to improve the transfer of knowledge to industry.

Support for new researchers

This was an area of focus for universities and wānanga in both years. This is not an area addressed in ITP profile objectives in either year.

Percentage of TEOs with change-focused objectives relating to ‘support for new researchers’ by sub-sector

In the universities and wānanga in 2005/07, there was a strong emphasis on support and supervision of research students. There was also an emphasis in some on development of infrastructure to support new and emerging researchers, including research centres, funding and scholarships. A couple also had a focus on increasing the number of postgraduate research students and postdoctoral fellowships.

In 2006/08, the universities had a much stronger focus on increasing the number of research degree completions by both staff and students. They also mentioned providing scholarships and support systems. The wānanga had a focus on developing research capability in its staff and development of its postgraduate programmes and support.

¹ Education Act 1989, s169(4)(a)(ii) and s254(3)(a). (↑)

← Develop the Skills New Zealanders Need for Our Knowledge Society | Home Page | Te Rautaki Mātauranga Māori -- contribute to the achievement of Māori development aspirations →

• Contents

• Background
• Purpose
• Methodology

• Overall findings
• Alignment across the six strategies

• Foundation skills
• Skills for a knowledge society
• Research and knowledge creation
• Te rautaki mātauranga Māori
• Pacific Peoples’ development and success
• Capability and quality

*Appendix 1: Mapping of analysis areas to TES and STEP Δ

*Appendix 2: Results of statistical tests Δ