Some Additional Data on the Production of Physicists

THE American Institute of Physics has two general reasons for compiling manpower statistics annually. The first reason stems from the Institute’s purpose “to advance the science of physics”. It helps this purpose to be able to acquaint the public, government, industry, and academic circles with statistical facts about the education, employment, remuneration, special competences, etc. of the physics profession. Policies affecting the advance of physics are, and should be, based on such information. Second, the Institute needs to predict the number of physicists who will, in the years of the next decade, have need of its publishing and other services to physicists and to the AIP Member Societies to which they belong. Only in this manner can the necessary space, facilities, and personnel be made available with greatest economy and efficiency. The Institute’s motives are thus in part to be of public service and in part simple business foresight.

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