Evaluation of the scientific results of youth laboratories: features of the methodological approach and potential for application in public administration

The study presents a methodological approach to assessing the results of research and development (R&D) of youth laboratories created within the framework of the “New Medicine” direction. The approach is based on the use of industry tools of technology readiness levels (TRL), which were finalized considering the purpose and objectives of the study. A distinctive feature of the approach is the ability to obtain not only integer but also fractional TRL values, which allows analyzing the dynamics of scientific and scientific-technical results by years of the budget cycle or the research planning cycle. The second feature of the approach is the assessment of the practical significance of the R&D result according to the criterion “Contribution. of the result to solving priority problems of medicine and health care”. The methodology is implemented using the method of expert survey in the information environment. The requirements for the selection of experts, the features of the implementation of the questionnaire and the type of questions asked are characterized. All requirements are aimed at eliminating expert bias and other factors that can influence the choice of answer. The article presents the results of testing the methodology using the material of R&D of youth laboratories in the direction of “New Medicine”, completed in 2023. The assessment of research results made it possible to form ratings based on the aggregation of assessments by laboratories and types of results. The theoretical and practical significance of the testing results is characterized. Conclusions are made on the practical applicability of the approach within a wider range of organizations not only in the field of medical sciences, but also in other industries. The methodological approach allows: 1) to assess the contribution of research results to solving the most acute and pressing problems of the industry or area of activity; 2) to assess the TRL of research results taking into account the industry-specific nature of research; 3) to form an assessment of research results taking into account their contribution to solving priority problems of the industry or area of activity and the achieved TRL; 4) to compile ratings of scientific and scientific-technical results, applying various approaches to their aggregation. An important consequence of applying the methodological approach is the emerging opportunity to analyze the dynamics of research results within the budget cycle or the research planning cycle and to monitor on this basis, as well as make the necessary management decisions. Ratings and analysis of the dynamics of research results can be used as an information basis when making decisions on the formation of a state assignment for the performance of scientific research or on its adjustment.