F. Asghari
Abstract
Like any other community, the university has its own cultural set up. But unfortunately, the culture, which is currently dominating the Iranian higher education institutions, does not meet the expectations of a scientific community. The present study, based on views and experiences of academics as well ...
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Like any other community, the university has its own cultural set up. But unfortunately, the culture, which is currently dominating the Iranian higher education institutions, does not meet the expectations of a scientific community. The present study, based on views and experiences of academics as well as using an interpretive approach, tries to answer the main research question as why and how such a disorder prevails in academic culture. In this qualitative study, the Grounded Theory has been applied as research methods. The selection of participants, including faculty members from higher education institutions, was based on theoretical sampling. It continued until achieving a saturation point. Data collection was done through semi-structured interviews, including 17 individual and 4 group interviews. Data were categorized via three-stage coding (open, axial and selective) and classified into 1900 codes, 458 concepts, 101 subcategories and 32 main categories. Further, the data analysis was carried out based on the concept of context, analytical tool paradigm (conditions, action-interaction and consequences) and conditional-consequential analytical strategy matrix. Based on the acquired results "non-adherence to academic norms" was selected as a central phenomenon, and the final model was based on causal conditions and contextual factors at micro and macro levels, academic interaction including resistance, silence and abuse as well as the consequences including individual, organizational and national ones. The final outcome indicates the strengthening and reproduction of the central phenomenon in case of lack of university actions to help improve the situation.
Sociology
M.R. Taleban
Abstract
For more than two centuries, the social sciences have been subjected to the “irrational actor axiom" in the scientific study of religion. Religiosity and religious behavior were explained on the basis of primitive thought, neurotic impulses, and social conditioning; and the decline of religion ...
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For more than two centuries, the social sciences have been subjected to the “irrational actor axiom" in the scientific study of religion. Religiosity and religious behavior were explained on the basis of primitive thought, neurotic impulses, and social conditioning; and the decline of religion and religiosity was also seen as the inevitable consequence of scientific enlightenment and technological advancement. From the late 20th century, and especially early 21th century, an increasing set of empirical data from social science research has shown that this traditional approach to the scientific study of religion is defective. Many of these data have seriously challenged the old but still popular social sciences scholarship on "incompatibility of science with religion”, "the gradual decline of religion" and "pathological roots of religious commitment." The research evidence presented in this paper also showed that most of the extensive literature on the relationship between university education and the reduction of students' religiosity, which was dominated by the secularization paradigm and the incompatibility of science with religion, does not have the necessary empirical support. Also, analyzing the data on the religiosity of Muslims in Iran showed that the difference in religiosity of the population was more affected by their religious background of their family rather than by studying at the university.
Higher Education
Reza Mahdi
Abstract
The quality of college life means the overall satisfaction of students from the college life as a whole which is affected by different aspects of life based on the theory of generalization. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of college life among local and non-local students from non-state ...
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The quality of college life means the overall satisfaction of students from the college life as a whole which is affected by different aspects of life based on the theory of generalization. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of college life among local and non-local students from non-state universities in Tehran. This study is developmental with respect to the aim and uses survey method for data gathering. The statistical population of the study are undergraduate students and 500 samples are chosen from the universities in the target population randomly and data are gathered using the questionnaire designed by the researcher the validity of the questionnaire has been verified based on the views of 5 experts and using some similar tested questionnaires as a model. The reliability has been estimated using Alpha Cronbach’s index by pre-test of 15 samples about 0.86. To data analyze SPSS software and statistical tests are used. The quality of the college life of students has been evaluated significantly lower than average and the quality of college life of non-local students is significantly higher than the quality of college life of local students. The low quality of college life shows that higher education policies on quality and national resources productivity have had low effectiveness. Dissatisfaction of students, as the key stakeholder of higher education system, from quality of college life could be a starting point to stray away from the higher education missions and philosophies. It is necessary that academic managers and leaders make serious decisions to promote the quality of college life. The higher education without the quality of college life, will be defeating the purpose.
Higher Education
Omid Shokri; Reza Reza Kormi Nouri; Mohammad Naghi Farahani; Alireza Moradi
Abstract
The quality of college life means the overall satisfaction of students from the college life as a whole which is affected by different aspects of life based on the theory of generalization. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of college life among local and non-local students from non-state ...
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The quality of college life means the overall satisfaction of students from the college life as a whole which is affected by different aspects of life based on the theory of generalization. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of college life among local and non-local students from non-state universities in Tehran. This study is developmental with respect to the aim and uses survey method for data gathering. The statistical population of the study are undergraduate students and 500 samples are chosen from the universities in the target population randomly and data are gathered using the questionnaire designed by the researcher the validity of the questionnaire has been verified based on the views of 5 experts and using some similar tested questionnaires as a model. The reliability has been estimated using Alpha Cronbach’s index by pre-test of 15 samples about 0.86. To data analyze SPSS software and statistical tests are used. The quality of the college life of students has been evaluated significantly lower than average and the quality of college life of non-local students is significantly higher than the quality of college life of local students. The low quality of college life shows that higher education policies on quality and national resources productivity have had low effectiveness. Dissatisfaction of students, as the key stakeholder of higher education system, from quality of college life could be a starting point to stray away from the higher education missions and philosophies. It is necessary that academic managers and leaders make serious decisions to promote the quality of college life. The higher education without the quality of college life, will be defeating the purpose.
Higher Education
Firouzeh Asghari; Mohammad Ali Nemati
Abstract
One of the most important objectives of academic research is to meet the scientific needs of society. The important factor that contributes to the establishment of trust and values with in order to provide stakeholders with academic research and its results is the scientific quality of research. PhD ...
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One of the most important objectives of academic research is to meet the scientific needs of society. The important factor that contributes to the establishment of trust and values with in order to provide stakeholders with academic research and its results is the scientific quality of research. PhD thesis, carried out by students and requiring a lot of time and money, constitute a considerable percentage of the research conducted at universities. The present study aims to identify the challenges of “the quality of PhD thesis” in Iran from the viewpoint of professors and students, as two major components in doing research in doctoral programs. This is a phenomenological research study, and the data collected through interviews with professors and students in doctoral programs is analyzed on the concept of “value chain”. The findings of the study indicate that the challenge of the quality of PhD thesis involves a multiple, multilayered interconnection of elements (students, professors, managers and policy-makers), organizational structure, procedures, rules and other environmental actors. In addition, a powerful and fast-moving current has developed between these layers, which is both affecting them and affected by them. There are instances of un-academic behaviors that have marred the scientific identity of universities and turned into a major challenge to the quality of doctoral thesis in Iran.
Hamid Javdani
Abstract
In the last few decades sustainable development has become a universal cause. One of the key requirements to achieve sustainable development is rethinking and identifying the concepts and requisites consistent with this idea that rests heavily on environmental, social, and economic sustainability. In ...
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In the last few decades sustainable development has become a universal cause. One of the key requirements to achieve sustainable development is rethinking and identifying the concepts and requisites consistent with this idea that rests heavily on environmental, social, and economic sustainability. In this light, this conceptual study aims to re-analyze concepts like "social capital" and the diversionary narration of development, and to draw attention to the important role of knowledge-producing institutions and fundamental knowledge requirements that underlie and influence the quantity and quality of social capital and consequently sustainable development. Conceptualizing and applying an analytico-critical approach requires a systematic, analytical and critical review, which forms the main part of the research methodology employed in this study. In addition, to reinforce the applicability of this article, experiences of some international institutions and advanced countries are accentuated. My findings, which are based on theoretical and empirical studies, emphasize on quality and relevance of education as well as re-conceptualized requisites and new approaches to future education. The reflection of these concepts in citizens' social capital lays the necessary ground for sustainable development.
Ali Ghasempoor; Mohammad Javad Liaghatdar; Ebrahim Jafari
Abstract
In recent years, the subject of internationalization has been one of the most discussed issues in academic centers. Higher education experts' beliefs that this subject is a new paradigm and inevitable approach in curriculum development of universities. Internationalization is a term that refers to the ...
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In recent years, the subject of internationalization has been one of the most discussed issues in academic centers. Higher education experts' beliefs that this subject is a new paradigm and inevitable approach in curriculum development of universities. Internationalization is a term that refers to the process of integrating an international and intercultural dimension into the teaching, research and service functions of the institution. Localization is another approach that refers to promotion, adaptation and development of knowledge, technology, culture and specific values in the specific context and alike internationalization is a response to globalization. The purpose of this study is, surveying the nature of internationalization and its causality, practical models and principals and specifying its relation to multiple theories of fostering local knowledge and localization in globalization of education context. These theories have varied emphasis on global dependence and local orientation and therefore they have their own characteristics, strengths, and limitations in conceptualizing and managing the process of fostering local knowledge and human development. Clearly, their implications for design of curriculum and instruction and their expected educational outcomes in internationalization of curriculum are correspondingly different. Each country or local community may have its unique social, economic and cultural contexts and therefore, its tendency to use one theory or a combination of theories from the typology in globalizing and internationalizing education may be different from that of others.
Zahra Karimian; Ali Mohammad Ahmadvand
Abstract
Based on Horizon perspective of twenty years: "Iran Is developed country with the first position in Economy, science & technology in the level of area, with Islamic Identity in world and constructive interaction & influence in the International relationship ... ". In the most important document ...
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Based on Horizon perspective of twenty years: "Iran Is developed country with the first position in Economy, science & technology in the level of area, with Islamic Identity in world and constructive interaction & influence in the International relationship ... ". In the most important document of national development of Iran, has been emphasized on strengthening of Iran- Islam culture & needs to enjoy of Information technology & good international communication as an index of national power. Specially, fast hanging of Information technology in new ages caused to deep social- cultural influence in the today informative society in addition to knowledge & technology dimension of it. Emerge of new communication & information technology has provided possibility in appearing the area divergent identity & also it lead to world divergent in the field of culture & identity. In this way, universities has special position in achievement to the aims of development view because of having different role in fields of science, technology & culture in guidance & training of the most important human capital. Regard to this, we attempt to present the conceptual framework based on analytical study and some theories about cultural identity & information society and describe the tasks of universities about it.
