The Equilibrium between Education and Research in Agricultural Higher Education: A Pathological Analysis

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
M. Bijani 1
F. Sepahvand 2
1 Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Tehran, Iran. First name: Masoud, Last name: Bijani, Tel: +982148292020, Fax: +982148292200, Mobile phone: +989166624222, Postal Code: 1497713111, Email: mbijani@modares.ac.ir ORCID: 0000ـ0003ـ2659ـ6386
2 Former Ph.D. Student, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agriculture,Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran. Tel: +9881134425400, Mobile phone: +989160753324, Email: f.sepahvand01@agr.basu.ac.ir ORCID: 0000-0002-6289-8579
Abstract
Education and research are fundamental pillars of educational systems, including agricultural higher education institutions. However, an inadequate balance between these components can lead to a deviation from the primary goals of these institutions. This study aimed to conduct a pathological analysis of the equilibrium between education and research in the higher education system of agriculture in Iran. “Three-pronged pathology model” was utilized, comprising components of “context” (including knowledge, moral, individual-psychological, satisfaction, and the thematic nature), “behavior” (including planning, coordination, control, and monitoring), and “structure” (including demonstrative, diversity, consequence, and political). This quantitative study is applied in purpose, non-experimental in design, retrospective in timing, survey-based in data collection, and descriptive-causal comparative in data analysis. The data collection instrument was a researcher-developed questionnaire, with face and content validity confirmed by experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was established using Cronbach's alpha for each variable (0.704 ≤ α ≤ 0.902). The statistical population comprised faculty members from agricultural departments of public universities in Iran (N=3335), with a sample of 307 selected. Results indicated a tendency among faculty members towards research activities. The greatest gap and imbalance between education and research were observed in the areas of context, followed by structure and behavior. This indicates that the existing context and structure push faculty members towards research activities for their sustainability and advancement in the agricultural higher education system. This poses a serious issue that must be addressed by policymakers and decision-makers.

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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 01 January 2024