Designing a Conceptual and Operation-al Model for Scientific Evaluation and Ranking the of Educational Depart-ments of Humanities in Universities and Institutes of Higher Education in Iran

The present study aimed at designing a conceptual and operational model for ranking the educational departments of humanities in universities and institutes of higher education in Iran.

The present study is applied and developmental by objective and uses a mixed research methodology, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The research population, which was selected by non-random purposeful method, included experts in scientific ranking, assessment and evaluation. In order to answer the questions, the Fuzzy Delphi technique and the best-worst method (BWM) were used as a multi-criteria decision method.  The research instruments were two author-made questionnaires and a data collection form Content validity of the questionnaires was confirmed by experts. Reliability of the Fuzzy Delphi questionnaire was calculated with Cronbach's Alpha of 0.785, which is acceptable. The inconsistency rate was calculated in order to validate the best-worst (BWM) questionnaire for each cluster of dimensions, criteria, and indices. Data were collected by library studies, reviewing the literature and expert opinions. The factors of the conceptual model were judged by the experts so that they can be weighted. A pairwise comparison was performed on the factors and the best-worst model was formed for each cluster of dimensions, criteria and indices. The weight of the factors and consistency rate were specified by implementing the model. Finally, the weight of the factors and the priority of each one were determined.

Seventy indices were identified based on analysis of the literature, which were grouped into 6 clusters of criteria and 4 dimensions. After getting the expert opinions and performing fuzzy screening, 54 extracted indices were obtained and grouped into 6 clusters of criteria and 4 dimensions and provided in a conceptual model. The results of weighting the factors showed that the research dimension with the weight of 0.491 and quality science production with the weight of 0.427 had the top priority among the dimensions and criteria.

Weighing was performed for the indices of each criterion and the priorities were determined and the operational model was designed for the scientific ranking of the educational departments of humanities. The multidimensional model can be effective in improving the decision making of the educational departments and universities.