Assessment of Iran's scientific publications based on National Master Plan for Science and Education

This study aims to assess Iran’s scientific publications from 2013 to 2016 with an emphasis on National Master Plan for Science and Education.

This is a descriptive-analytical study that has been conducted using scientometric methods. To achieve research objectives, data related to eight indicators of scientific publications insert in National Master Plan for Science and Education, extracted from related databases for five years.

The findings indicate that based on quantitative indices such as " Publications Per Population ", "the ratio of graduates to indexed articles in international databases" and "ratio of international indexed articles to the number of Faculty members", Iran has an acceptable ascending trend. However, with regard to qualitative indicators such as the "citation per paper”, in spite  of  the ascending trend in recent years, the value achieved is far away from the target level for this indicator.

System of Monitoring and Evaluation of Science, Technology and Innovation of Iran", intended to evaluate the indicators of National Master Plan for Science and Education by the Supreme Council of Science, Research and Technology, is not suitable and it is necessary to review and modify the indicators of the monitoring system