Improving the Quality of Policymaking in Science and Technology by an Islamic-Iranian Approach: A Qualitative Study

Improving policymaking quality progression of science and technology is considered one of the most important plans in different countries. This could be done differently from one country to another. This important issue in Iran is also dependent on determining effective strategies on science and technology policymaking that is appropriate to the circumstances and the situation in Iran. The present study is qualitative content analysis. The participants of this study are 23 experts in the field of progress and development, and science and technology. The sampling was targeted and purposeful. In order to collect qualitative data, some unstructured and profound interviews were conducted. The analysis of results was done by qualitative analysis and content analysis using MAXQDA. The researchers extracted 39 subgroups, 6 themes including observations of science and technology on a global scale, scientific governance, organized steering and scientific research leaders, discourse modeling, defining system requirements in the production of science, supply system of scientist as wise management strategies and advances in science and technology policy of Iran. On the one hand, policymaking success has always been based on two basic elements of value and insight. On the other hand, it is built on situations and exigencies of the given society. The present study, on the basis of Islamic epistemic foundation provides settings of the Iranian society and profiting from the experiences of participants. Also, it identified and explained six key strategies. Macro policymakers are able to employ them in general; and managers and policymakers of science and technology can employ them in a certain and special way that will ultimately provide more efficiency and effectiveness of existing policies and thereby improving the science and technology system.