Towards a system of continuous evaluation and monitoring for European co-operation in scientific and technical research (COST)

The approach adopted in the design of a system of continuous evaluation and monitoring for COST, the European mechanism for the stimulation of co-operation in scientific and technical research, is described. The emphasis is on the derivation of a framework which asks questions about the information required and how it should be obtained, and which points of the management structure should be responsible for its collection, analysis and subsequent actions. An important aspect is the translation of the informational requirements into a number of key criteria and indicators which may be applied consistently throughout the evaluative process.