What? The first question to ask when describing elements of a research and innovation process is to identify “what type” of research or innovation is taking place. This involves defining the domain, disciplines, and topics being addressed. To provide context, classification systems or ontologies are often employed, helping to categorise and organise the elements under study. Additionally, the question of “what” extends to the types of documents or activities used to evaluate these elements. For example, this might include research publications, grant types, or the legal status of patents.
Key object(s): classification, ontology, document type

When? In research and innovation, the temporal aspect is crucial, as today’s breakthroughs often become tomorrow’s standards. Understanding “when” a process occurs is key to analysing its timing and context. This helps to capture trends and dynamics over time, providing insights into the evolution the elements under study. Common timeframes include annual reports or periods such as the past five or ten years. However, more granular descriptions are also possible, focusing on shorter intervals such as monthly or bi-monthly trends.

Key object(s): period, year, month

Where? Research and innovation processes exist to address opportunities and meet needs, which are supported by a science and innovation infrastructure that is shaped by geographic constraints. For instance, reserach agendas are developed by governments. These constraints are often defined at the national level (country-specific), regional level (such as the European Union), or even smaller scales, including states, provinces, cities, or metropolitan and regional areas. Answering “where” is fundamentally about identifying these locations, and the simplest representation of this information is often a map. Countries also collaborate through joint funding initiatives.

Key object(s): region, country, location

Which organisation? While a country provides the general framework for research and innovation capacity, it is the organisations within that country that drive these efforts. These organisations include key R&D performers such as universities, research institutes, government agencies, companies, and non-profit entities. For example, they encompass all organizations eligible for inclusion in the ROR (Research Organization Registry). Answering this question also involves identifying who provides the resources and infrastructure for R&D activities, in other words the R&D funders. Furthermore, it includes understanding the network of relationships between these organisations through collaborations, partnerships, and various commercial interactions.

Key object: organisation

Who? Ultimately, research and innovation are driven by the people who initiate, execute, and translate the various elements of these processes. Understanding who the researchers and innovators are, helps reveal the dynamics and key drivers behind the work. This also includes the teams involved, which may function within formal or informal networks of collaboration, supervision, and mentorship. Identifying “who” is often the most challenging aspect due to difficulties in accessing reliable and comprehensive data, such as issues with author name disambiguation despite the effort of projects like the Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID).

Key object(s): people, teams