Identifying Practical Strategies for Achieving Scientific Authority in Science and Technology

Abstract

This study aimed to identify and analyze practical strategies for achieving scientific authority in the fields of science and technology through the perspectives of national experts. This research utilized a qualitative design grounded in an interpretive paradigm. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 13 purposefully selected participants based in Tehran, including university faculty, policymakers, and research administrators. The interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached, ensuring the depth and completeness of data. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis with the assistance of NVivo software. The coding process involved open, axial, and selective coding, and data credibility was enhanced through member checking and peer debriefing. The analysis yielded four major themes: policy and governance structures, capacity building and human capital development, infrastructure and ecosystem readiness, and cultural and social foundations. Within these themes, several subthemes emerged, including strategic policy alignment, talent retention, research infrastructure, and scientific mindset promotion. The findings reveal that scientific authority is not a product of isolated interventions but results from systemic integration of governance, ethics, international collaboration, and societal support. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of aligning national priorities with scientific capabilities and fostering a research culture rooted in inclusivity, transparency, and performance-based evaluation. Achieving scientific authority requires a multidimensional and coordinated approach encompassing strategic policy reform, investment in human and infrastructural resources, ethical integrity, and cultural transformation. The study provides actionable insights for science policymakers and institutional leaders aiming to strengthen national scientific legitimacy and global impact.