Visualize the dimensions and characteristics of policy instrument and provide policy recommendations to improve the national policy system

Correct analysis of the policy-making process requires a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of policy-making instruments. The main question of the present study is what are the scope and dimensions of policy instrument as a new field of study?. In the present study, due to the importance of this issue, using the method of systematic literature review, we presenting big picture of the instrumental studies scope in public policy studies. Using the systematic literature review method, 526 foreign scientific documents were first identified and 38 scientific texts were selected for analysis by screening scientific documents in several stages. In the analysis phase, using the Thematic Synthesis method, 108 concepts were identified and classified into 27 categories. Finally, under the six major axes of conceptualization of policy instruments, position of instruments in public policy studies, taxonomy of policy instruments, characteristics of policy instruments, factors affecting Policy instruments and new areas and future of policy instruments study. The future direction of studies in this field is to pay attention to understanding the complex nature of human behavior through behavioral sciences and social marketing and focus on laboratory and experimental studies and smartening and digitizing tools to optimize policy instrument. Improving the one-tool approach in decision-making institutions, designing an instrumental appendix for policies, laws and programs, building tools to promote public participation and the third part and smartening tools according to the requirements of the national policy system, including policy recommendations based on policy tool studies to improve national governance and policy-making