What Are Some Caveats

There are well-known limitations associated with measures of scientific excellence, including publication and prize analysis. An additional problem arose for virtual congresses, where the panel found small but significant differences depending on whether the organizer was from the United States or not. 

Because of the sheer size and strength of the U.S. chemistry research community, it cannot be compared meaningfully with those of other single countries. The only sensible method is to compare the United States with regional groups within Europe or Asia. To the extent possible, in this report, specific countries are mentioned in connection with particular areas of chemistry. While ample data were available on human resources and research funding for the United States, the panel had little comparable data for Europe and Asia. 

With the enormous breadth of the chemical sciences, it was necessary to divide chemistry into 11 areas, each of which is also extremely broad. Undoubtedly, some areas have been left out. The U.S. standing in green chemistry/engineering, sustainability, and energy production was not addressed because the subjects are being covered extensively in the related benchmarking study of U.S. chemical engineering research. 

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