Identifying the Dimensions of Accelerators of Science Production in Scientific Development and Management of Education and Research in Iranian Public Universities: The Grounded Theory Study

Subject Areas :

Marjan Arab-Rahmatipour ¹ , Zohreh Mirhosseini ² , Ahmad Saeedi ³

1 - PhD in Knowledge and Information Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Associate Professor of Knowledge and Information Science Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 - Assistant Professor Department of Statistical Research and Information Technology, Institute for Research and Planning in Higher Education, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2020-11-14 Accepted : 2020-09-20 Published : 2020-12-17

Keywords: Accelerators of Science Production, Scientific Development, Education and Research Management, Iranian Public Universities,

Abstract :

Providing appropriate mechanisms to accelerate the production of science that is sufficiently accurate and the required infrastructure has been determined, is always considered an important issue in the country's educational system. The aim of this study was to identify the dimensions of accelerators of science production in scientific development and management of education and research in Iranian public universities in order to improve the current situation. This applied study is qualitative in terms of data type and grounded theory in terms of research method. The statistical population consisted of 15 faculty members of Iranian public universities, experts in information science and epistemology who had scientific writings and articles in the field and were selected by purposive sampling method. Data collection tool was semi-structured interview and data analysis was performed using MAXQDA software. Based on the research findings, the dimensions and factors affecting the accelerators of science production from the perspective of the above statistical population were identified in 6 dimensions, which include the following: Central phenomenon (qualified educational system, effective research system, comprehensive support system, optimal and efficient financial system); Causal conditions (leadership and management, communications and networks, organizational culture); Strategies (human resource management, infrastructure development, adequate financing); Underlying conditions (legal framework, interdisciplinary communication, interaction with the environment, talent-capturing system, economic issues); Interfering factors (reward and incentive system, position, technology); And consequences (alignment with the environment, improving scientific and organizational performance, human capital development, social and economic development). The results showed that in order to achieve balanced and effective scientific development in the direction of education and research management of public universities, serious and systematic attention to all aspects of science acceleration systems presented in this study is necessary.