Facts about CRIS
REEIS relies on data from several sources to provide its reports. Important facts have been gathered about each of these source systems in order to assist you in determining whether the data will meet your information needs and to provide a context for understanding the most appropriate uses of the data.
The table below includes some important facts about the systems history, the data that is available in the system, the means by which the data is collected, and any special circumstances of conditions that affect the collection, processing, and reporting of that data.
Source System: Current Research Information System (CRIS)
| Current Research Information System (CRIS) data is created and managed by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the Department of Agriculture. |
| REEIS imports the data on a yearly basis. REEIS does not create or change CRIS data. |
| CRIS was developed to provide ready access to information about research conducted primarily within the USDA/State agriculture research system. |
| CRIS was activated in 1969. |
| CRIS contains information about projects related to the entire range of subject areas with which the USDA is concerned. |
| Researchers use CRIS to plan their research, avoid duplication of effort, and determine current areas of emphasis. |
| USDA agencies and State institutions provide data, as well as other organizations in the U.S. and abroad, that conduct agriculture and forestry research supported by USDA or State administered funds. Examples of reporting agencies include: state agriculture experiment stations; land-grant institutions; state forestry schools; USDA research agencies; and cooperating schools of veterinary medicine. |
| CRIS permits data to be sorted by a special classification scheme for research. |
| Data is collected primarily through the use of the CRIS web site, which validates input at time of entry. |
| After electronic submissions are received, CRIS staff members review the data before the system is updated. |
| The CRIS database manages data quality by verifying classification standards, checking the accuracy of reports, and checking for consistency among reports. |
| Data is submitted when a project is opened, a projects status changes or at the end of a state fiscal year. |
| The web site and forms do not require entries in all fields. As the status of a project changes, more fields are used in CRIS. |
| Paper forms are used for about 1% of the data entry. Reports may be submitted on form AD-416, AD-417, AD-419, AD-418 or AD-421. CRIS staff members enter paper forms into the transaction database. If paper forms are received, the CRIS office manages the entry of data. |
| CRIS maintains two databases. The transaction database is used to collect data on a daily basis. The transaction database is used to update a second database (weekly) that is used to support the CRIS web site. |
| Classifications schemas used in CRIS are updated periodically. Classifications were last changed in 1997 and implemented in 1998. |
| CRIS does not provide reports containing financial data on individual projects. |
| Financial data reported for USDA projects is based on the U.S. Government's fiscal year (Oct 1-Sep 30). |
| Financial data reported by states is based on the reporting Federal fiscal year. |
| Financial data is reported in U.S. dollars. |