The task of choosing partners for the organization of cooperation in the framework of scientific and educational projects

Abstract

The primary objective of this article is to establish a set of fundamental criteria for the selection of scientific partners for collaborative research efforts. Achieving this objective entails addressing the challenge of identifying criteria that are both objective and universal-ly applicable, capable of encompassing various fields of scientific research, such as natural sciences, technical sciences, and economic sciences, among others.One such criterion, applicable to scientists, may involve assessing their publication activ-ity within specific research areas that align with the objectives of the relevant scientific re-search or international projects. In the contemporary landscape of scientific research, there is a growing urgency to enhance the effectiveness of research endeavors and to foster efficient collaboration within scientific communities. This is particularly vital for organizations oriented towards project-based research. In the formation of research project teams, a conventional approach is to select partners from the pool of scientists possessing the requisite qualifications and experience in the exe-cution of such projects. A widely accepted yardstick for evaluating the outcomes of scientists’ research endeavors is the citation metrics associated with their publications. Typically, these metrics take the form of scalar values. While this approach offers several advantages, it is not without its limitations. One notable drawback is the potential loss of information when converting raw data into scalar metrics, and the existence of certain edge cases where the parameter remains unchanged despite variations in the number of citations and publications.Hence, it is pertinent to explore the development of new methodologies or modifications to existing ones that can effectively evaluate the results of scientists’ research activities while mitigating these limitations. The article describes the criteria for the search and selection of partners for joint scientific research. This will make it possible to effectively form teams for narrowly focused scientific research or international collaboration projects in interdisciplinary scientific projects such as the European Horizon Program or educational projects such as the Erasmus plus program. Also, the proposed solution will allow the formation of small teams for joint scientific publications. It is imperative to acknowledge that the process of partner selection is predominantly driven by a consideration of the knowledge, whether it be novel or foundational, possessed by prospective partners who are entrusted with the execution of a project. It becomes crucial to delineate the specific criteria governing partner selection which can vary contingent upon factors such as the typology of partners, the nature of project tasks, the depth of knowledge possessed, and related contextual variables. A vital underpinning for the formation of project consortia is the mathematical conundrum of choice which furnishes a formal rationale for the judicious selection of a particular partner.