This report resulted from a consultation addressed to the Ethics Advisory Committee in Scientific and Technical Research by FECYT in the initial stages of its creation and establishment. The consultation referred to matters related to the transfer of knowledge from the public sector to industrial sectors, as well as the grounds on which the employment of public research infrastructure can be based, in the broadest sense, by private companies dedicated to industrial production.

Unlike that which occurs in other areas of knowledge, the Humanities lack quantitative criteria that are adjusted to the reality of research, or, at least, it does not have it to the same extent as in other areas of science. FECYT and the National Evaluation and Foresight Agency, aware of this, formed a working group during 2006 with the aim of establishing quality criteria based on the consensus of a group of primarily Spanish researchers, but which also included foreign researchers. This working group prepared various versions of this report, which was being created from the comments and suggestions contributed by other scientists consulted and by relevant entities for the evaluation.

A publication edited by FECYT which includes the results of the Second National Survey on the Social Perception of Science and Technology. The publication includes a detailed breakdown of 9 specific topics and the shift in public opinion that has taken place since the first survey in 2002.

Publication of the definitive results of the Social Perception of Science in Spain Survey 2002 and a first analysis and interpretation by renowned experts of these results. Six main subject areas were chosen, which constitute the specific material of the six articles included in this volume.

Detailed analysis of the situation of the art, science and technology system in Spain, as well as a comprehensive repertoire of recommendations that make it possible to develop and drive it forward in Spain.