A comparative evaluation of objectives, missions and plans of national information and documentation centers in Iranian Ministry of Science, Research and Technology

The comparison of missions and plans of organizations that are led by the same ministry and have similar objectives can result in optimizing their objectives and missions and preventing composition of similar programs and performance of overlapping activities. At the current study, thus, objectives, missions and plans of 'Regional Information Center of Science and Technology' (RICST), 'Iranian Information and Documentation Center' (IRANDOC) and 'Iranian Research Organization of Science and Technology; Office for Information Technology and Scientific Network' (IROST) have been studied and compared. To accomplish this research, "Multiple Case Study Method" has been used. Furthermore, "Survey", "Historical" and "Library" methods have employed to conduct "Multiple Case Study Method". Considering the fact that it is possible to use both quantitative and qualitative data in "Multiple Case Study Method", both types of mentioned data have been used at the present research. Besides, "comparative method" has been used to analyze data. The results of both quantitative and qualitative findings reveal that in spite of having corresponding objectives and missions with objectives and missions of Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, these three centers consider revising and updating their overlapping objectives and missions as a necessity. However, this revision should not result in the integration, omission or suspension of any of their activities and must only lead to optimization of their objectives and missions.