DRAFT REVISION OF:

Guide to Completing Classifications on Form AD-417

The full revised manual is available as a printable .pdf document or an HTML document.

Primary Classification - Fields 30-39

Primary Classifications in CRIS are represented by codes that are entered in fields 30-39 on Form AD-417. (See Tables A through C for Primary Classifications and codes.) Each project must be coded to at least one Research Problem Area, one Subject of Investigation, and one Field of Science.

Table Description

Research Problem Area (RPA) A An important and highly useful series of research classifications is the classification by RPA. The 79 RPA's comprising the classification are arranged in nine topic areas. RPA codes are entered in column 1.

Subject of Investigation B This series provides an additional facet for research classification. It is generally the object of the research; e.g., the class of plant, animal, organism, material, process, procedure, etc., under investigation. Subject of Investigation codes are entered in column 2.

Field of Science C This classification lists the disciplines involved in conducting the research. It consists essentially of a modified version of fields of science used by the National Science Foundation for various government-wide reports. A number of disciplines were added by the CRIS Enhancement Committee in 1998. Field of Science codes are entered in column 3.

	Table	Description
Research Problem Area (RPA)	A	An important and highly useful series of research classifications is the classification by RPA. The 79 RPA's comprising the classification are arranged in nine topic areas. RPA codes are entered in column 1.
Subject of Investigation	B	This series provides an additional facet for research classification. It is generally the object of the research; e.g., the class of plant, animal, organism, material, process, procedure, etc., under investigation. Subject of Investigation codes are entered in column 2.
Field of Science	C	This classification lists the disciplines involved in conducting the research. It consists essentially of a modified version of fields of science used by the National Science Foundation for various government-wide reports. A number of disciplines were added by the CRIS Enhancement Committee in 1998. Field of Science codes are entered in column 3.

Multidimensional Classification

The selection of classification codes on individual projects is based on a three-part, multidimensional scheme which requires one code from each of the three series of classifications (RPA, Subject of Investigation, and Field of Science) to be entered in the same field or line of classification on Form AD- 417. Specifically, for each RPA coded in column 1 in fields 30-39, there must be a corresponding code for Subject of Investigation in column 2, and Field of Science in column 3. A maximum of ten (10) lines of classification is permitted on a single project.

Classification Percentages

In classifying projects to the Primary Classification, each line of classification must be assigned a percentage (weighted) to indicate the portion of effort on the project directed to each RPA-Subject of Investigation-Field of Science combination.

Primary Classification Procedure - Fields 30-39

Step 1. Selection of RPA, Subject of Investigation, and Field of Science

First, review the titles of the RPA's (Table A) and select the RPA which best describes the project. Some projects may require more than one RPA.
Second, turn to the detailed description(s) of the RPA(s) to confirm your selection.
Then, for each RPA you select, enter the RPA code (Table A) in the RPA column (column 1). See Figure 1.
For each RPA in column 1, enter one or more Subject of Investigation codes (Table B) in the Subject of Investigation column (column 2). If more than one Subject code is entered, then the corresponding RPA code must be duplicated on the applicable line.
For each RPA-Subject of Investigation combination, enter one or more Field of Science codes (Table C) in the Field of Science column (column 3). Enter the corresponding RPA and Subject codes on the applicable lines if needed.
Repeat Step 1 to enter additional RPA's.

See Figure 1 for an example of a partially completed classification table.

Figure 1 -- Classification Table

Classification by Research Problem Area, Subject of Investigation, and Field of Science

Research Problem Area Subject of Investigation Field of Science Percent Effort

Code
(1) Code
(2) Code
(3) %
(4)

30. 203 1540 1080

31. 203 1550 1080

32. 211 1540 1080

33. 211 1550 1080

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

Step 2. Assignment of Percentages

Percentages are assigned to each line of classification; that is, to each unique RPA-Subject of Investigation-Field of Science combination. Percentages are assessments of time, money, and/or material, each expressed as a percent of the whole, which may be allotted to each listed combination.
For projects containing only one line of classification, the percentage will always be 100. Otherwise, individual percentages will vary, depending on the number of lines of classification and relative weight given to each RPA-Subject of Investigation-Field of Science combination.
Percentages must be expressed as whole numbers, not as fractions or decimals, and each must be NOT less than 10 percent.
When the individual percentages are correctly assigned, the sum of all percentages in column 4, fields 30-39, will equal 100.
A maximum of ten (10) lines of classification is permitted on a single project.
See Figure 2 for an example of a completed classification table.

Figure 2 -- Completed Classification Table

Classification by Research Problem Area, Subject of Investigation, and Field of Science

Research Problem Area Subject of Investigation Field of Science Percent Effort

Code
(1) Code
(2) Code
(3) %
(4)

30. 203 1540 1080 20

31. 203 1550 1080 20

32. 211 1540 1080 30

33. 211 1550 1080 30

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

Classification by Research Problem Area, Subject of Investigation, and Field of Science
	Research Problem Area	Subject of Investigation	Field of Science	Percent Effort
	Code (1)	Code (2)	Code (3)	% (4)
30.	203	1540	1080
31.	203	1550	1080
32.	211	1540	1080
33.	211	1550	1080
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.