DETERMINANTS AND ENABLERS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT IN OMANI HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

This study sought to systematically analyze prior research pertaining to the challenges facing scientific research in Omani higher education institutions, published during the period from 2019 to 2024. Using the available sampling method, a sample size of (10) studies was obtained. A content analysis form was used to analyze the content of the studies using systematic objective description. The face validity and reliability of the form were also verified. The findings revealed that the descriptive-quantitative approach, employing survey questionnaires as research instruments, was predominantly employed to study the requirements for developing scientific research in higher education institutions in the Sultanate of Oman. As for the content analysis of the outcomes of previous studies, (6) main themes were extracted, namely: Inadequate research funding, inadequate research infrastructure, limited collaboration with the private sector, teaching workload for researchers, and lack of research skills. The results also showed that previous studies targeted, in their recommendations, increasing funding by raising spending to (1%) of the gross domestic product, establishing a national fund for scientific research to enhance infrastructure by developing laboratories for electronic publishing platforms, academic-industrial cooperation by establishing partnerships between universities and the private sector, and developing personnel by offering training programs in methodologies. Modern research, stimulating scientific publishing by supporting peer-reviewed journals and linking them to global databases. The analytical review of the national R&D survey concluded that spending on research relative to the gross domestic product (GDP) is low, and private sector funding is weak.