Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Planning, Implementation, and Dissemination of Academic Research

Purpose: The world has always faced various adversities. Many of these adversities have posed significant threats to humanity on national, regional, and global scales. Sometimes, these adversities have manifested as global crises. The coronavirus is a family of viruses that cause respiratory infections in both humans and animals. The novel coronavirus, officially designated as SARS-CoV-2, is responsible for the COVID-19 disease in humans and has significantly disrupted and transformed social structures, work patterns, and income distribution. One of the structures impacted by this virus was universities and their missions. In this context, the present study was conducted to identify the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on the planning, implementation, and publication of academic research.
Method: This study employed a qualitative approach, utilizing the interpretive phenomenological method. The research participants comprised 38 academic and ministerial administrators and managers, along with higher education experts from universities and the central headquarters of the Ministry of Science and Research. Participants were selected purposively, and data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and validated using the alignment method. Data analysis was conducted using the content analysis method within the MAXQDA software environment.
Findings: The identified challenges of academic research can be categorized into three stages: planning, implementation, and publication. In the planning stage, challenges included role ambiguity, lack of motivation and reluctance, a preference for education over research, insufficient intra-group and interdisciplinary consensus, the impact of infrastructure on the volume of research, and changing research funding sources. During the implementation stage, issues such as route dependence, inadequate facilities and infrastructure, participant confidentiality, poor supervision, restrictions on scientific travel and communication, and information filtering were prevalent. Finally, in the publication stage, challenges included changing policies for publishing scientific works, enthusiasm for disseminating results, lack of trustworthiness, delays in the evaluation process, and issues with journal printing.
Conclusion: Effectively managing the challenges that arise during emergencies can enhance the quality and effectiveness of research. This approach not only elevates the scientific level of the university but also attracts talented researchers, minimizes resource waste, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthens communication with industry and society. Additionally, it increases the reliability of research results, and promotes greater respect for the intellectual property of professors' achievements in cyberspace.