Determining the Research Needs of Social Insurer: Using Analytical Hierarchy ‎Process (AHP)‎

Introduction: Research conducted without any need assessment not only helps solve problems but ‎also increase the current problems and result in waste of limited resources.  ‎ Objective: The aim of this research was to determine the research needs of a social insurer ‎organization based on their managers' attitude.‎ Methods: This is a mixed and cross-sectional study that was conducted in ‎‏2011‏‎. A purposeful ‎sample of ‎‏11‏‎ participants from social insurer organization in Iran was selected. Data gathering was ‎done using interview and analysis of data was conducted using Atlas.Ti ‎‏5.0‏‎ software. Also, the ‎topics were prioritized using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method through Expert ‎Choice ‎‏11.0‏‎ ‎‏ ‏software.‎  Results: Titles of “Design of strategic planning,” “Pathology of structure,” and “Evaluation of ‎family physician and referral system” with scores of ‎‏0.96‏‎, ‎‏0.85‏‎, and ‎‏0.82‏‎, respectively earned the ‎priority of one to three.‎ Conclusion: Since the resources are limited and needs are unlimited, in order to prevent research ‎resource wasting in insurance organization, resources must be prioritized and this can assist ‎organization achieving their goals.‎