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As has been discussed throughout the Value of Science explainer series, measuring the value of scientific information to society is useful. In “Value of Science 103,” we learned that categorizing the benefits of scientific information is helpful; for instance, categorizing by whether the benefits are quantifiable, whether benefits can be monetized, and whether monetization can be done using market or non-market values. However, other methods can help us categorize benefits that do not follow this hierarchical structure. The most useful way to categorize benefits varies depending on the kind of scientific information being evaluated and the audience to whom the benefits are being described.

In addition to the categories discussed in “Value of Science 103,” benefits might be categorized as follows:

1. Intermediate vs. final
2. Use vs. non-use values
3. Public vs. external

This explainer reviews each of these categorization schemes.