01601pab a2200133 454500008004000000100001700040245007900057260000900136300001300145362000800158520123300166650002601399773004201425180718b2001   xxu||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d  aSmith, Peter  aPriority setting in agricultural research: beyond economic surplus methods  c2001  ap.419-28  aDec  aThe article examines the issue of priority setting in Third World agricultural research organizations, for those research sectors and topics which - mainly because of the difficulty of quantifying benefits - are outside the domain of economic surplus and benefit/cost techniques. The issue is redefined as one of processing ill-structured decisions, i.e., decisions in which there is no unique, identifiable, objectively optimal solution.  The implications of this for the concept of rational action in this field are explored, and the results used to define a practical approach.  This centres on a radical review of the possible options and criteria in priority setting, using four techniques (challenge, groups, repertory grid, creativity techniques and flow charting).  The final section of the article examines the decision-making aspects of these techniques in three priority-setting contexts of increasing difficulty; within a department, where the issue is essentially one of technical choice between competing research lines; within a major institute or research sector, where there is substantial competition for resources; and in an institute or sector which is facing a crisis of resources or relevance. - Reproduced  aAgricultural research  aPublic Administration and Development