“Science for society” and evaluation of research and technology development

- - The framework of program evaluation and implication for Synthesiology -

Abstract

This article intends to give a basic logical framework of “research & technology development (RTD) evaluation” for the realization of “science for society”. Although the RTD evaluation is to be designed for promoting the evolution of strategies that utilize the knowledge derived from science and technology for the well-being of society and for solving public issues, some confusion emerges due to misinterpretation of concepts and/or verbal abuse when putting evaluation into practice. Through conceptual mapping of previous studies with original daily-life examples, this article shows that the role of evaluation is to reflect the current state of affairs in order for strategies to be better reformulated cyclically and circularly.