Problems of Selecting the Priority Directions of the Science and Technology Development in Ukraine

Abstract

The article is aimed at studying the normative-legal and methodological problems of substantiation and selection of priority directions of the science and technology development in Ukraine. The research methods: analysis of legislation and scientific literature, generalization, systematization. It is substantiated that setting priority directions of the science and technology development is an important aspect of scientific and innovation policy of the leading world countries. On the basis of the carried out analysis it is defined that the main problems of legislative and methodological support for selection of priority directions of the science and technology development in Ukraine are: inconsistency of the normative and legal support of the development processes and implementation of priorities; mismatch of priority directions of scientific and innovative activity; absence of forecast documents on the basis of which it is necessary to substantiate development priorities; determination of priorities in the sphere of fundamental scientific researches is non-specific. To adapt the procedures for selecting the priority directions of science and technology in the spheres of fundamental or applied research, it is proposed to differentiate appropriate methodological approaches to their selection depending on the specifics and directedness. Selection of priority directions of applied researches should be brought into accordance with the priorities of the country’s innovative development, scientific and technical research and development potential, demand for innovation and the relevant scientific developments by entrepreneurial structures, requirements to ensure ecological conditions for production, etc. The methodology for selection of priority of fundamental researches should be based on the following determinants: structure and retrospective dynamics of national scientific potential in the fundamental sphere; ability to forecast the effects of using the knowledge gained; the stakeholders’ interests and goals; trends in the development of world science; systemacity and interdisciplinarity of studies; public opinion; opportunity to evolve over time. It is concluded that legislative and methodological support of processes of substantiation and selection of priorities of the science and technology development needs to be improved in view of the interests of stimulating Ukraine’s economic growth.

Keywords

• priority
• development of science and technology
• fundamental researches
• applied researches