Identifica-tion and classifica-tion of the aims, audi-ences and challenges of scien-tometrics depart-ments in Iranian medical universities

This research investigates the aims, audiences and challenges that the scientometrics departments of Iranian medical universities are faced with.

The present research is an applied survey in which qualitative methods are utilized. The research population consists of the Iranian scientometricians as well as the staff and managers involved in scientometrics and research offices in three medical universities in Tehran i.e. Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBUMS). In total 25 people were interviewed and the data were processed in a grounded theory method in which main categories and sub-categories were identified.

Two main categories were identified as the aims of the departments: (1) science planning and mapping; and, (2) research promotion and development. The potential audiences of the scientometrics departments are categorized as internal and external groups where internal audiences are those who work in the university. The main challenges the scientometrics departments in medical universities are faced with can be categorized as: (1) organizational structure; and (2) knowledge interpretation.

The categories and subcategories explored for the scientometrics departments in medical universities can help better understanding of such departments in universities and can facilitate development of scientometrics departments and programs in other universities and institutions.