Policy-Making and Factors Affecting Internal Evaluation of Departments: A System Dynamics Approach

The present research is based on the application of system dynamics in internal evaluation. It aims to present a model in which policies and factors affecting quality in educational departments are investigated and determined, using system dynamics methodology. In the first step, factors having an impact on the quality of departments are selected based on relevant research theories, previous studies and factor analysis of departments. The factors include: faculty members, students,… members of the department, students, graduates, admitted students, research, teaching and learning educational programs, budget and educational and research equipment and facilities. In the second step, a general model is suggested to simulate the behavior of a department according to variables relevant to each factor. Then, the structural and behavioral validity of the model is tested against departmental hypothetical data. Finally, the simulated model is applied over a four-year span of time. Results indicate an improving trend in the quality of the departments supposed. The model can be used for analysis of not only the efficiency and effectiveness of the policies proposed by decision-makers but also the effectiveness of each variable in Promotion of the quality of a department. Therefore, such a model provides a simulating tool for managers and decision-makers to test and assess their policies and strategies.