Design and validation of the empowerment model for faculty members of Islamic Azad University of Isfahan Province (A mixed method study)

The present study was aimed to design and validate the empowerment model for faculty members of Islamic Azad University of Isfahan Province using a mixed method design. The first phase of the study was conducted under the framework of qualitative approach using grounded theory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted based on the principle of theoretical saturation on 13 managers and faculty members of the Islamic Azad University of Isfahan Province as well as experts in the field of empowerment using purposeful sampling method. The data were analyzed using Strauss and Corbin model in three stages of open, axial and selective coding. The results of the qualitative phase yielded 134 concepts, 29 sub-categories and 11 main categories. The research method was descriptive survey and the statistical population included all full-time faculty members of Islamic Azad University of Isfahan Province (n =1540), and using Cochran formula, 308 members were selected using convenience sampling method. The data collection tool in the quantitative phase of the study was a researcher-made questionnaire which was developed based on qualitative phase. It included 134 items, and its face and content validities were confirmed by a number of the participants and a number of experts, respectively. The reliability of the tool was estimated to be higher than 0.7, using Cronbach's alpha coefficient for all categories. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to validate the model and the data analysis, and according to the results, the proposed model was confirmed based on the fit indices.