Designing and validation of a scale to assess the quality of universities in Iran

Aims: The present study was conducted to design and validate a scale for assessing the quality of universities in Iran.
this study was performed using a mixed method of explorative plan-tool development model. First, in qualitative part of this study, questionnaire consisted of 25 components and 157 sub-components were designed by using the method of Grounded Theory and interview with 36 experts. Then, in the quantitative section, designed questionnaires were conducted on 84 members of Iranian experts with high education. Based on the received feedback, the questionnaires were revised, then the final and modified version was put in the hands of 293 experts in different cities of Iran. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts and its reliability was calculated by Cronbach's alpha which was equal to (0/982). Non-probability purposive sampling method was used in the qualitative part of the study whereas random classified sampling method was applied in the quantitative part. In addition, analysis of structural equation modeling was used for testing mentioned scale
By doing confirmatory factor analysis, mentioned scale tools were modified to 22 components and 150 sub-components. Results of second-order confirmatory factor analysis, also showed that 22 extracted components are sufficient factor leading to prediction scale related to accreditation and quality assurance of high education systems in Iran. In addition, goodness of fit indices such as, (CMIN/DF) which is equal to 1/924, (RMSEA) = 0/39, (GFI) equal= 0/976, (AGFI) = 0/939, (CFI) = 0/928, (NNFI) = 0/935, (TLI) = 1/000, (IFI) = 0/928 and (RFI) = 0925.
The results of statistical tests displayed that the designed scale enjoys very favorable fitness for the quality assessment of high education system in universities of Iran.