Some scholars have recognized the important role of publicly funded basic research (Salter, AJ and BR Martin (2001). Research Policy, 30(3), 509–532; Szulanski, G (2000). Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 82(1), 9–27) for the production of knowledge. Among the identified benefits is an increase in "the stock of useful knowledge" available to society, which could be used for innovation and in this way contribute to economic growth (Szulanski, G (2000). Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 82(1), 9–27). Thus, it is important to support scientific activities. We claim that a way to support them is to use quality management complemented by knowledge management as a way of improving the process followed when carrying out research activities. Consequently, we studied the methods used while implementing a quality management system within various research organisations. This lead us to propose an approach which integrates quality management and knowledge management as a way to support the scientific activity.

Purpose-The important role of publicly funded basic research has been widely recognized. The knowledge produced is made available to society, who could use it for innovation and in this way contribute to economic growth. Thus, it is important to support scientific activities. Proposes to examine how researchers could profit from approaches such as knowledge management. Design/methodology/approach-Some research organizations were studied and their knowledge management practices analyzed. Special attention was paid to the realization of research projects. Findings-An approach is proposed based on the capitalization of all the artifacts managed during the bibliographical activities performed by researchers. Research limitations/implications-At the current state of advancement of the project, only a prototype of the software tool has been developed. Originality/value-As sociology studies have observed that a fundamental aspect of science is the modification and construction of new concepts, it is proposed to include the support of the management of scientific concepts as a way of assisting this knowledge production process. In conclusion this work gives the basis of the definition of a software tool that should help to accomplish this activity.