Characteristics of Iranian Competent Professor: A Qualitative Research

This research contributes to improve the quality of higher education through introducing a model of good teacher in higher educational centers in Iran. To this purpose, a qualitative study was conducted by using content analysis approach. Fourteen professors from state universities were selected based on the viewpoints of the students, alumni, directors and their colleagues. The sampling technique was snowballing. To collect information, semi-structured interviews and participant observation were applied. The sample group included 38 teachers were interviewed and other notification means 112 interviews were done with the informants (students, alumni, and faculty director of the Department and their colleagues. Their classes were also observed 72 time by the observers and their assistants. The data processing and content analysis using open and axial coding were done. The features obtain in this process which were related to the professors included 34 components in three general categories of cognitive, emotional and behavioral. In the meantime, the categories that were more frequent in those who had more than 50 percent of the code took place in the pattern of qualified teachers.