461 



HUMAN. PHYSICAL, AND FISCAL RESOURCES 



123 



(JOI). Data on ocean sciences grant recipient characteristics were 

 obtained from NSF, and projected demands for Ph.D-level researchers 

 were obtained from four major oceanographic research programs. 



Results 



National Science Foundation Surveys 



Since 1973, NSF (through the NRC) has collected information 

 on the employment and demographic characteristics of scientists 

 and :2ngineers with doctoral degrees in the United States. The 

 NSF survey constituted a sample of the Ph.D. population, from 

 which total population values were estimated. These estimates 

 have substantial associated standard errors, so that statistical com- 

 parisons were not carried out. The number of oceanographers in 

 all sectors of employment increased from 1,130 in 1973 to 2,460 

 in 1989 (Figure 4-1). From 1973 to 1981, the average annual rate 

 of increase for academic oceanography was 4.7 percent; from 1981 

 to 1989, 4.0 percent. Oceanographers who consider teaching as 



■D 



c 



CO 



3 



o 



2.5 



2.0 



1.5 



F' 



jQ 1.0 



E 

 z 



0.5 



! ! ! 



1S73 1375 1977 1973 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 



Year 



FIGURE 4-1 Change in number of Ph.D.s employed in oceanography 

 over time (NSF data). 



