Quality assurance in research and development: an insoluble dilemma?

The implementation of quality elements in research and development is a hot issue, still under discussion and development. In recent years much progre ss has been made in the development of effective proposals. However there a re still problems and misunderstandings on how to apply quality assurance i n research and development. This work clarifies these issues. mainly caused by the application of formal standards for quality assurance in R&D. It li sts reasons for. and demonstrates benefits of. implementing quality element s in R&D and then offers detailed suggestions for addressing the most impor tant issues without hampering the flexibility and creativity of R&D.