JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PLANNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Year:2012 | Volume:17 | Issue:4 (62)|Papers Count:9

For universities to accomplish tasks and improve their quality, they need a suitable framework for management and adaptation with new environment. This research seeks to analyze the enabling implicit factors relations in EFQM Excellent Model in order to use it as a framework for management and improvement of quality in higher education institutions. Statistical population of this research was 324 president, vice presidents and other senior administrators at Yazd university in academic year 1389-1390, in which 71 persons were randomly selected by using classified random sampling method. A questionnaire was used for data collection. The estimated Cronbach’s Alpha was greater than .7 for all dimensions of the questionnaire. All of the 8 considered hypotheses were confirmed in this research. Findings showed that leadership and obligation of senior administrators are motivated force for all processes of quality improvement and quality management.

The purpose of this research was to identify dimensions and components of faculty development, evaluation of current situation and presenting a conceptual model. Statistical population of this research was all full time faculty members in Islamic Azad University in regions 8 and 12 (N=5715) in which 360 of them were selected by means of stratified sampling method. Using literature review, a questionnaire with 5 dimensions and 41 components for determining current faculty development was designed. Results showed that present situation of faculty development programs is unfavorable in Islamic Azad University. Among 5 dimensions of faculty development, only educational development was above average and the other dimensions (research, ethical, personal and organizational) were below the average. A final model was designed according to findings and survey of theoretical fundamentals and research literature in 7 sections: philosophy and purposes, dimensions and components, theories, method, process, catalysts and outputs. For determining the model appropriateness level, second questionnaire was designed and distributed among 30 experts in higher education. One sample t-test confirmed the appropriateness of model at 95 percent level.

The purpose of this research was to examine the impact of discipline culture on socialization tactics of doctoral students at Tabriz University. It was hypothesized that doctoral students in different scientific fields, according to discipline differences, use different socialization tactics (traditional, instrumental and social desirable tactics) for success in their field of study. For this purpose, surveying method was done among 134 doctoral students in Tabriz University. Findings demonstrated that there are not significant relationship between given dimensions of discipline culture and different fields, but the relationship between different fields on socialization tactics was significant. Moreover, research variables can determine traditional socialization tactics (R2= 0.170), and socialization tactics of social appropriateness (R2= 0.152). Research findings show lack of discipline societies. Thus, it is suggested to the higher education policy makers to take effective steps for the reinforcement of discipline culture and identity.

The aim of current study was to investigate the barriers of admission of foreign students into universities and institutions of higher education from the viewpoints of the foreign students at Shahid Beheshti University. A descriptive survey method was applied. The statistical population consisted of all international students (N=75) in which 63 students were selected through simple random sampling. A researcher-made questionnaire was developed and its content validity was confirmed by academic experts. Using Cronbach’s alpha, questionnaire reliability was estimated 0.86. The most important findings illustrated significance differences in admission barriers of male and female foreign students. The results of one-way ANOVA showed that there was a significant difference for nationality variable while there was no significance difference for academic variable.

The main purpose of this research was to investigate the relation between elements of hidden curriculum and scientific spirit of students in the Kashan University at academic year (2008-2009). In this research seven factors were considered as elements of hidden curriculum in higher education that consists architect and physical structure of university, interaction between faculty members and students, rules and regulations, teaching methods, content, evaluation procedures and social climate. Descriptive – correlative method was used for data analysis. Statistical population consisted of all male and female students of engineering, basic, and human sciences of Kashan University. A total of 250 students (149 males and 101 females) were selected by using cluster random sample method. Data was collected by using researcher made questionnaire. Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficient of .82 was calculated. Pearson correlation, one way analysis of variance, independent t test, and Toki test were used for data analysis. The results indicated that there were relations between all elements of hidden curriculum with the scientific spirit of students. There was only a significant difference between male and female students in interaction between faculty members and students (t=2.57, p,0.05).

The aim of this research was to study the role of academic tasks’ nature and gender on goal orientations and self-regulations of college students in Mashhad city and relationship between these variables. Statistical population was all undergraduate students of Ferdowsi University and Islamic Azad University of Mashhad in academic year 1388-1389. Research sample was consisted of 400 students of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and 400 students of Islamic Azad University that were selected on the basis of multistage cluster sampling. Research method was descriptive. Research results showed that there were positive and significant correlation between components of achievement goals and self-regulation. In addition, results demonstrated that there was a significant difference among academic sub-groups concerning self-regulation. Results showed human sciences students used self-regulating method more than students in basic and engineering sciences. Also, basic students used self-regulating method more than engineering students, but there was not a significant difference between male and female students. Humanity students were more master and avoidant than two other groups. Altogether, females were more goals oriented than males.

In the information age, the fact that society is in need of graduates who can continually update their information and learn new skills is felt more than before. Updating academic majors and making changes in their curricula to suit the diverse and evolving needs of learners in different dimensions are considered essential as well. Using descriptive survey method, the aim of study was to investigate conformity scope of educational planning and administration curriculum with scientific, individual, social and vocational needs of students. A researcher-made questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data and information. This research was conducted using a sample consisting of bachelor degree students who were studying educational administration and educational planning and master degree students in educational planning and educational administration at University of Isfahan, University of Tehran and Shahid Beheshti University. The categorization method was used for analyzing information obtained from interviews and the descriptive statistics for analyzing data from questionnaires. Results showed that the conformity extent of curriculum with students' needs was less than average. In other words, the curriculum program is not responsive to the students' needs.