Science and Technology

RAND experts have often been among the pioneers of key scientific research, including computer analysis, satellite development, military technology, and the foundations of the Internet. RAND's research has also resulted in the development of new methodologies and ways of analyzing policy issues, from the Delphi method to Robust Decision Making.

Research conducted by: RAND Justice, Infrastructure, and Environment; RAND Europe; RAND Education; RAND Health; Transportation, Space, and Technology Program; Pardee Center for Longer Range Global Policy; Acquisition and Technology Policy Center

Featured at RAND

Improving Mathematics and Science Education

A multiyear, National Science Foundation-funded study found weak positive associations between reform-oriented mathematics and science instruction and achievement. Encouraging teachers to adopt such instruction is unlikely to be an effective strategy for promoting large and rapid student improvement.

U.S. Leads the World in Science and Technology With Help of Foreign Scientists

An inflow of foreign students in the sciences -- as well as scientists and engineers from overseas -- has helped the United States build and maintain its worldwide lead in science and technology.

All Items (2385)

Report

Patient Privacy, Consent, and Identity Management in Health Information Exchange: Issues for the Military Health System — May 22, 2013

Identifies gaps in research, policy, and practice involving patient privacy, consent, and identity management that need to be addressed to improve the quality and efficiency of care in the Military Health System through health information exchange.

Commentary

The Real Cyber Threat — May 21, 2013

close up of person using an ATM

The fact is that the United States needs to gear up for the coming era of cyber threats — and start by ensuring its financial flank is not catastrophically compromised, writes Mark Sparkman.

Commentary

Firefighting Aircraft: Is Bigger Better? — May 20, 2013

Wildfire air tanker

An aircraft's capacity and speed largely determine the rate at which water or retardant can be applied to a fire. Very large air tankers (VLATs) certainly have the capacity to apply large amounts of fluids to a fire, but because of the distances travelled they may not be able to get a second load very quickly.

Commentary

Paying for Infrastructure, a Taxing Issue — May 16, 2013

Traffic Jam Stopped Cars Pennsylvania Turnpike Exit 358 Bristol Levittown

If the “user pays” idea is worth saving, the United States needs a different calculation, writes Liisa Ecola. Some states are looking at mileage fees. With mileage fees, you pay based on the number of miles you drive, rather than the number of gallons of gas used.

Commentary

Drones Are Useful, but Not the Solution or the Problem — May 14, 2013

An MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft

The effectiveness of our attacks, particularly by drones, has already decimated the al Qaeda hierarchy, writes Harold Brown. That achievement, together with the negative effect on Muslim publics of drone attacks, suggests that the rate of their usage could be moderated.

Report

Brandishing Cyberattack Capabilities — May 13, 2013

This report explores whether and when U.S. cyberattack capabilities can be demonstrated, then goes on to examine difficulties and drawbacks of doing so. Such brandishing is no panacea and could even backfire if misinterpreted.

Commentary

The Value of Uncertainty: Assessing Global Societal Trends — May 9, 2013

Vasco de Gama Bridge, Lisbon

When planning for the future, we should understand that the capacity to predict the future is rather limited and poor. Rather, an ability to anticipate plausible trends and their potential consequences is more realistic, writes Stijn Hoorens.

Report

Assessing Aegis Program Transition to an Open-Architecture Model — May 3, 2013

To reduce costs and take advantage of commercial technology, the U.S. Navy is pursuing open-architecture software and other improvements to its Aegis combat system. This report examines the potential benefits and challenges of this new approach.

Report

Facilitating Information Sharing Across the International Space Community: Lessons from Behavioral Science — May 2, 2013

Based on a review of relevant research literature, this report examines ways to encourage the space community to share information that will help its members navigate increasing numbers of satellites and space debris.

Commentary

Put Peer Review Under Review — Apr 25, 2013

woman reviewing papers in an office

The progress of science and technology shows that good research does get funded—but it doesn't show that peer review is the best way to select it, writes Steven Wooding.

Report

Maximizing Throughput at Soft Airfields — Apr 23, 2013

Shows that there is an optimum landing weight that allows for maximum cargo delivery on soft landing fields. This optimum weight is constant and independent of both aircraft ramp weight and the ability of the soil to resist compressive loads.

Report

Virtual Collaboration for a Distributed Enterprise — Apr 22, 2013

Addresses the challenges to team effectiveness caused by geographic diversity through an assessment of three modes of virtual collaboration.

Report

Peer Review Not the Only Option for Selecting Research Projects to Fund — Apr 18, 2013

reviewing papers

Peer review is considered the gold standard for reviewing research proposals, but it is not always the best method for every research funding process. RAND Europe has updated its folio of cards highlighting a set of established approaches that offer unique alternatives to traditional peer review.

Commentary

Consider Taxing Miles Traveled — Apr 18, 2013

Aerial photo of highway

Mileage-fee rates could be structured to reduce congestion, harmful emissions and excessive road wear, and the enabling technology could support a range of value-added services offering greater convenience and safety for motorists, writes Keith Crane.

Report

Commercial Intratheater Airlift: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Use in U.S. Central Command — Apr 8, 2013

Intratheater airlift delivers critical and time-sensitive supplies to deployed forces, but is it cost effective to use commercial, rather than organic Air Force, aircraft to supply this airlift?

Commentary

The Benefits of U.S. Drones in West Africa — Apr 5, 2013

Nigerian troops march toward an Air Force C-130 Hercules

The establishment of a U.S. base in Niger is intended to facilitate intelligence collection and will provide a more complete picture of militant movements in Niger, Mali, and other countries in the Sahel, writes Seth Jones. The United States will share this intelligence with Malian and French forces.

Report

Assessment of Beddown Alternatives for the F-35 — Apr 3, 2013

RAND assessed the savings potential of reconfiguring the U.S. Air Force's combat-coded F-35s into larger squadrons and adjusting the Primary Aerospace Vehicle Authorized mix across the Active and Reserve Components.

Report

Assessment of Beddown Alternatives for the F-35: Executive Summary — Apr 3, 2013

RAND assessed the savings potential of reconfiguring the U.S. Air Force's combat-coded F-35s into larger squadrons and adjusting the Primary Aerospace Vehicle Authorized mix across the Active and Reserve Components.

Commentary

Kill the Space Launch System to Save Human Spaceflight — Apr 1, 2013

The International Space Station

Even in the face of a budgetary spending cap and the ever-looming possibility of new cuts, NASA continues investing in a robust and diverse human spaceflight program. But with fiscal uncertainty expected to continue, it should consider reordering its spending priorities.

Journal Article

Put Peer Review Under Review — Apr 1, 2013

There is little evidence that peer review is the best way to apportion research money — and even less evidence for the alternatives.