Document Type : Editorial

Author

• Farrokh Habibzadeh ^{1, 2}

¹ Professor Emeritus, Department of Medical Journalism, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

² Past President, World Association of Medical Editors (WAME)

Abstract

In this editorial, I argue that one of the most overlooked forms of research waste in developing countries arises from a misalignment between research priorities and societal needs. Drawing on the experience of Iran, I suggest that limited research resources are often directed toward topics that attract international attention and facilitate publication in high-impact journals rather than addressing pressing national challenges. I further contend that academic promotion systems, international indexing, and excessive reliance on scientometric indicators such as the h-index and journal impact factor may inadvertently reinforce this mismatch. Consequently, researchers may prioritize subjects that enhance academic visibility while contributing little to the solution of local health, social, or economic problems. I also discuss recent international initiatives, including DORA and the Leiden Manifesto, which caution against the overuse of bibliometric measures in research assessment. I conclude that maximizing the value of research in resource-constrained settings requires a fundamental reorientation of funding priorities, evaluation systems, and academic incentives toward scientific quality, social relevance, and meaningful contributions to national development.

Keywords

• Research
• Bibliometrics
• Social Responsibility
• Research Personnel
• Academic Institutions
• Iran