@2024 Afarand., IRAN

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ISSN: 2228-5468    Education Strategies in Medical Sciences 2015;8(4):239-245

Background
… [1-13] External evaluation of a department indicates a judicial process which is performed by a specialized agency. This process includes the collection of required data, information and documents, and it is performed to judge the compliance of the current and desirable situation [14].
Previous Studies
Assessment of the quality of academic centers through the use of evaluation mechanisms has been considered by the researchers [15-22].
Aim(s)
The aim of this study was external evaluation of Operative Dentistry and Dental School of Babol University of Medical Science.
Research type
This is a descriptive and applied research.
Research society, place and time
Faculty members, department manager, staffs and students of Operative Dentistry and Dental Department and Dental School of Babol University of Medical Sciences (Iran) were studied in the academic year 2014-2015.
Sampling method and number
The number of samples was 100 students using Stratified Sampling. Due to the limited population of the study, all faculty members and staffs (n=100) were selected by Complete Census Method.
Used devices&materials
Data collection tools were facilities and equipment, a checklist, observation and interview. In the other three factors, including faculty members, goals and mission and department manager, a questionnaire was used. And the respondents presented their opinion about each item in a Likert scale including totally disagree (1 score), disagree (2 scores), agree to some extent (3 scores), agree (4 scores), and totally agree (5 scores). To interpret the results, the mean score in the range of 0 -1.7 was evaluated as undesirable; the mean score in the range of 1.7-3.4 was quite desirable and the mean score in the range of 3.4-5 was evaluated as desirable. Studying the content and formal validity of data collection tool was conducted through a survey of experts. Data collection was done during 45 days by referring to the department in office and educational hours. After collecting data, to investigate the status of the department, descriptive statistics central parameters and weighting (valuation) of options were used. Data was analyzed using SPSS 21 software.
Findings by Text
Using Delphi, 4 factors, 16 criteria, and 301 markers were designed for evaluation of the Operative Dentistry and Dental Department of Dental School of Babol University of Medical Sciences. According to the findings of the external evaluation for "faculty members", the faculty personality component was in a good condition, but quality of teaching, evaluation skills and interpersonal communication were not in good condition. In "department manager", faculty members and staffs were satisfied with personality traits, management skills and the educational skills of the department manager. In addition, in terms of "goals and missions", educational and research component, environment, equipment and information technology facilities, goals and missions, evaluation and organization were in desirable condition in terms of valuation. In the evaluation of "facilities and equipment" of Operative Dentistry Department, also, the mentioned group was in desirable level in terms of the clinical equipment, electronic services, and technology and it is in relatively favorable condition in terms of the components of library and physical space and utilities (Table 1).
Main comparison to the similar studies
4 factors, 16 components (criteria) and 301 criteria were designed for this research. Six factors including "graduates, teaching-learning process, conducted courses and curricula, students, faculty members and goals, organizational status, management and organization" were evaluated [23]. Of 6 factors, 28 criteria, and 91markers were used in evaluation [24]. In Total, four factors including "faculty members, department manager, goals and missions, and equipment and facilities" were considered as the factors under evaluation. In faculty members which includes four components (quality of teaching, personality trait, evaluation skills and interpersonal communication), students do not have total satisfaction with the evaluated components except personality of faculty members. More contact with students has been considered as a positive model role, encouraging communication and good organization [25]. The most important aspects of teaching are teaching methods and communication power [26]. The most important characteristics of a teacher are eloquence of expression, friendliness and mastery of subject, respectively [27]. The factor "department manager" including three components (personality traits, management skills, and educational skills) was evaluated by faculty members and staff s showing their satisfaction with the department manager performance. The results of another study [23] which examined the personal characteristics, performance, clear mechanism for performance evaluation, how to choose, satisfaction of faculty members and students with department manager and planning in Management Department of Tehran University emphasize the desirable level of investigated components. Five dimensions including "missions and goals of the group" (goals and objectives, space, and information technology, teaching, research, organizational and evaluation equipment and facilities) are good. Department of Persian Literature at the University of Kurdestan is not in a favorable level in terms of the factor of "goals and missions" [24]. In the evaluation of "equipment and facilities" of Operative Dentistry and Dental Department, two dimensions of clinical equipment and electronic services are desirable. However, two other dimensions including library and space are relatively desirable. The disproportionate numbers of students with the facilities and the phantom, difficult access to extracted teeth for training in pre-clinic and library unpleasantness, have been listed as the negative aspects of educational facilities [28].
Suggestions
The factors "faculty members" and "facilities and equipment" are not in appropriate condition that is essential for incumbents to remove bottleneck and barriers in these two factors.
Limitations
Of the limitations of this study, were the lack of any relevant research in this domain, difficult access to students and a lack of clear understanding of external evaluation.
Conclusions
In the external evaluation of Operative Dentistry and Dental Department of Dentistry School of Babol University of Medical Sciences, among the four factors including faculty members, department manager, goals and missions, and equipment and facilities, the factors “faculty members” and “equipment and facilities” are not desirable. However, two other factors are desirable.
Acknowledgments
All students, faculty members, and staffs of School of Dentistry of Babol University of Medical Sciences are appreciated.
Conflict of interest
The results of the present study are not in conflict with the interests of any organization and person.
Ethical Permissions
The participation of all persons in this study was voluntary. Also, all the data, determining participants` identity, remained confidential. In addition, all participants were reassured that their personal statements are not presented anywhere and they are only presented in the form of group comments.
Funding Sources
All the costs have been paid by the corresponding author.

TABLES and CHARTS

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