Purpose : The present study aimed to present an interpretive structural model based on DEMATEL for the Entrepreneur University among top universities in the northern region of Iran. Methodology : This study was applied in terms of objective and combined (qualitative and quantitative) in terms of implementation method. The research population in the qualitative section were documents and texts of the Entrepreneurship University and experts in this field that 35 documents and texts and 30 experts were selected as samples according to the principle of theoretical saturation by purposive sampling method. The research population in the quantitative section consisted of the same 30 experts who rated the components. The research tools included text review, semi-structured interview, and 77-item researcher-made questionnaire that their psychometric indices were confirmed. Data were analyzed by Delphi methods and interpretive structural modeling based on DEMATEL in SPSS-23 and LISREL. Findings: The results showed that the Entrepreneurship University included 77 concepts, 24 sub-components in 6 main components. So that among the 6 main components, three components of infrastructure (with four sub-components), management (with five sub-components), and communication with the population (with four sub-components) were identified as effective variables, and three components of services (with three sub-components), knowledge-based entrepreneurship (with five sub-components) and output and outcome (with three sub-components) were identified as affected variables. The results of DEMATEL-based interpretive structural modeling showed that in the first level with 10 components, the component of commercialization of knowledge and research and revenue generation from advanced technology, in the second level with 7 components, the component of entrepreneurial research, R&D, and dissemination of academic results, in the third level with 14 components, the component of entrepreneurial research, R&D and dissemination of academic results, and in the fourth level with 1 component, the core component of strong leadership and change in structural and managerial dimensions were at a higher level. Conclusion : According to the results of the present study, planners and higher education professionals can take advantage of the results of this study and plan for the improvement and growth of the Entrepreneur University through the effective components identified in it.
Purpose : As regards the effect of creativity and models for the growth of it, this study endeavors to develop a pattern model for the purpose of growing creativity in the structure of the elementary school curriculum based on the fundamental reform document of education (FRDE) Methodology : As for the purpose of this study, it was conducive. Furthermore, in view of the procedure of methods, it could be considered as qualitative. 10 individuals of statistical society were chosen by targeted and snowball sampling methods in 2019. We utilized methods of reviewing the fundamental reform document of education and Semi-structured interviews. Validity and Validity of these methods were desperately examined by triangulation methods of data collection which were suitable for assessment and the coefficient of the agreement was estimated to be 0.76. Ultimately coding method was used in order to analyze the gained data of reviewed documents and interviews. Findings : Results demonstrated that 25 codes belonged to the growth model of creativity in the structure of the primary school curriculum based on the fundamental reform document of education while 15 codes are known to be relevant to this model based on interviews that have gotten done with some experts of the elementary school curriculum. Consequently, the model for the growth of creativity in the structure of the elementary school curriculum was designed based on these codes. Conclusions : Results of the present study contain some practical functions. Moreover, identified codes and designed models were used in order to improve the model of growth in creativity.
Purpose : The aim of the present study was to identify the factors affecting the high school technological competency-based curriculum. Methodology : This was an applied study in terms of purpose and qualitative in terms of methodology. The research population included the documents and experts of the technological competency-based curriculum in Tehran during 2018. Of these, twelve were selected as a sample according to the principle of theoretical saturation and purposive sampling. The research instrument included a semi-structured interview whose validity was confirmed by the triangulation method and its reliability was estimated at 0.85 by calculating the interrater agreement coefficient. Data analysis was carried out using open, axial, and selective coding methods in MAXQDA software. Findings : The results showed that the factors affecting the high school technological competency-based curriculum consisted of 66 concepts, 15 components, and 6 dimensions. The dimensions included network infrastructure status (with two components of access and quality), communication and interaction tools (two components of simultaneous and simultaneous tools), non-technical competencies and technical skills (with three components of knowledge, skills, and attitude), training facilitation strategies (three components of participation modeling, management, and supervision), training strategies to increase trust (with three components of trust, honesty, and appreciation) and management (with two components of time management and support). Conclusion : According to the research results, the components, and dimensions identified for the factors affecting the high school technological competency-based curriculum, it is essential to have plans to improve it by promoting concepts, components, and dimensions.
Purpose : The objective of the present study was to identify and explain the current status of evaluating physical education curriculum of the primary schools to present and validate an optimal model. Methodology : The present study is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-exploratory in terms of nature and the data were collected using Delphi method (interview with experts). The statistical population of the study included 10 experts in the field of primary school physical education in Lorestan Province who were selected selectively by purposeful sampling. Using Delphi method, after conducting the interview to ensure the validity of the data and results, research data were collected. The data collection tool using Delphi method was interviews with experts in the field of physical education, those involved and executive planners in the field of curriculum planning of the General Directorate of Education of Lorestan Province. For data analysis, Smart PLS software was used to identify the variables. In addition to mean comparison of values and standard deviation, Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance by SPSS software was used to determine the degree of consensus among panel members. Findings : The study results showed that 9 important elements of evaluating the physical education curriculum from the perspective of experts included objective, content, learning references, learning activities, implementation method, evaluation method, grouping, time and space. The model obtained from Delphi analysis and the view of experts is also presented. Conclusion : Evaluation makes it possible to improve curricula. Therefore, in the definition of curriculum evaluation, there is an orderly search for judging and agreeing on the value of a curriculum, in order to improve it to reduce the gap between current and optimal results. The study results can help physical education planners and teachers improve the physical education curriculum.
Purpose : Given the role of different organizational syndromes in the decline of school performance, the present study was conducted aimed to rank and compare organizational syndromes in Iranian schools according to the opinion of principals, deputies and teachers. Methodology : This study was applied in terms of the objective and quantitative in terms of the method. The study population included the principals, deputies and teachers in Isfahan and Yasuj in the academic year 2019-2020. The research sample according to Krejcie and Morgan Table was n = 375 who were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling method and considering the volume ratio of cities. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire of organizational syndromes in Iranian schools with 78 items. Its content validity was confirmed by experts, its construct validity was confirmed by exploratory factor analysis and its reliability was calculated by Cronbach's alpha of 0.93. The data were by Friedman and independent t-tests using SPSS-25 software. Findings : The results showed that the organizational syndromes of narcissism, lack of communication, discrimination and politicking, group thinking, structural alienation, tension and distress, structural mastery, caution, pressure, terrorism, neglect, immobility, explosiveness, incompatibility, non-commitment, impulse and silence had a higher rank in Iranian schools. Other results showed no significant difference between organizational syndromes and teachers in Iranian schools according to the opinion of principals, deputies and teachers (P <0.05). Conclusion : According to the results of the present study and the negative role of syndromes in the decline of school performance, it is necessary to design and implement programs to reduce syndromes by improving intra- and extra-organizational relationships and activities in Iranian schools.
The present study aimed to shed light on the relationship among students' socioeconomic status, self-reported English proficiency level, the length of attending private institutes, and L2 motivational factors namely: ideal L2 self, ought-to L2 self, L2 learning experience, integrative motivation, and intended effort. Participants were 320 Iranian students studying English at high schools in Tehran, the capital city of Iran. Data collection included EFL motivational factors adopted from Taguchi, Magid, and Papi (2009), socioeconomic status, and demographic information. The results of the Spearman Rho test revealed a weak or no meaningful relationship between the student's socioeconomic status and their L2 motivation suggesting that socioeconomic status is not an indicator of the school students’ EFL motivational factors regarding tripartite variables of Dörnyei's L2 Motivational Self System as well as integrative motivation and intended effort. However, the length of attending private language courses and the English proficiency of the students indicated moderate correlations with their L2 motivation and socioeconomic status. Current findings bear a clear message to the Iranian education policymakers that despite adopting a communicative approach in the latest official EFL coursebooks of schools, non-official private language institutes still perform more effectively than the Iranian formal education system in maintaining and enhancing the EFL motivation of learners.
