Monitoring Research and Development in the Digital Age: An Overview of Changes to the Frascati Manual

A key component of science and innovation policymaking is the monitoring of research and development. R&D has unique properties, as it contributes to the creation of new knowledge and addresses urgent problems in both basic and applied science. In many countries, including Russia, this monitoring is based on the Frascati Manual. This document’s usage extends beyond basic statistical accounting; it often serves as a reference tool for both policymakers and researchers. Several studies have reviewed the Frascati Manual or analyzed its use in studying various aspects of research. The article aims to identify the possibilities and limitations of applying the Frascati Manual in the context of digitalization. This aspect has so far received insufficient attention in the academic literature. However, its exploration is essential to understand the specific features of R&D statistical measurement, especially considering the changes brought about by the rapid development and diffusion of digital technologies. In the study, the Frascati Manual is regarded as a core element of the system of methodological documents for measuring R&D and its outputs. In 2025, clarifications to the Manual were outlined in the document Implications of Software Development for R&D Measurement: Complementary Guidance to the OECD Frascati Manual 2015 Edition. Analysis of this document shows that some issues remain unresolved, including the lack of clear criteria for classifying software development projects as R&D and discrepancies in the terminology used in methodological guidelines and the business community. Nevertheless, systematization of accounting for software development is essential to adapting the methodology to the increasing influence of digitalization on research activities. The findings may provide a basis for researchers and decision-makers in science and innovation.