Developing indigenous index strategies for fair evaluation of researchers in the country's scientific development

The current system of evaluating researchers in Iran, which relies mainly on international quantitative indicators such as the number of articles and the H-index, has not been effective in accurately assessing the quality and real role of researchers due to ignoring the multidimensional nature of the research process and the fundamental differences between scientific disciplines. Accordingly, the need to design a "native composite index" that can simultaneously measure the quantitative, qualitative, contextual, and applied dimensions of research within the framework of national needs and values is emphasized. According to the findings of the composite study, the key components of developing this index were: scientific authority, database used, innovation and technological impact, ranking in prestigious festivals, and citations.

For the effective implementation of such an index, policy planning and targeted actions are needed. The proposed policy strategies in this regard, in order of priority, are: “Implementing a pilot of a native composite index in the evaluation of researchers” as the core of the evaluation transformation, “Considering the subject area component” as a basic prerequisite for making any evaluation fair, “Intelligent emphasis on the citation component” to improve the quality of scientific production, “Adjusting the scientific authority component” by considering disciplinary distinctions, and “Integrating the innovation and technological impact component” to align research with the needs of industry and society. This roadmap requires investment in data infrastructure, culture building, and strengthening organizational will for change.