Evaluation of Internal Processes and Factors of an Academic Department: Case study of Agricultural Extension and Education Department of Bu-Ali-Sina University

The main purpose of this study is internal evaluation of Agricultural Extension and Education Division of Bu-Ali Sina University in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of teaching and research at micro level. In order to evaluate the department status, six factors were studied including 1) faculty members, 2) students, 3) graduates, 4) teaching- learning, 5) facilities and equipment, and 6) research. This study was a survey and descriptive statistics were used for analyzing data. Validity of questions used in the questionnaire was confirmed by an expert team. For calculating the reliability of the questionnaire the Cronbach alpha coefficient was used. The average value of this test was 0. 76. The study samples included 75 students, 58 graduates, five faculty members, and four other staff in the Department. The study was conducted between 2000 and 2001. The results revealed that the department status was desirable in terms of both faculty members and teaching- learning factor. However, in terms of students, graduates, facilities and equipment, and research factor it was fairly desirable.