Explaining, Cultural, Educational and Social Needs of Faculty Members of Farhangiyan University

Abstract

The present study is an applied research project and uses a descriptive-analytical survey design. It follows both qualitative and quantitative data collection procedures. The statistical population of the qualitative section consists of 19 Iranian education experts who are selected via targeted random sampling. And the statistical population of the quantitative section consists of all full-time instructors and faculty members of Farhangian University in six provinces of Iran (n=181), of whom 150 are selected via random sampling. Data are collected through semi-structured interviews and researcher-made questionnaires. To determine the validity of interviews and questionnaires, we have used confirmatory factor analysis for verifying construct validity and Cronbach’s alpha for estimating questionnaire reliability. Qualitative findings are analyzed based on the spiral of analysis and quantitative data are processed through descriptive and inferential statistics. According to the results of the qualitative section, the most important educational needs of Farhangian University’s faculty members fir into two areas: 1. Religious needs with an emphasis on Islamic education, and 2. ethical, cultural and social needs comprising four domains: 2.1 cultural, 2.2 social, 2.3 ethical, and 2.4 political. The results of the quantitative section also indicate that the educational needs of Farhangian University’s faculty members are higher than average in both areas. The most important need of Farhangian University’s faculty members in the cultural domain is related to the subscale “being aware of the role of university professors in relation to preserving, transferring, reforming, and recreating culture” while their most important need in the theological domain is related to “the ability to use the educational principles and implications of the Quran and Nahjolbalaghe” (Imam Ali’s book of ethical teachings)