Dear Editor,
Professor evaluation by university students is one of the most common evaluation methods (1, 2). The correct evaluation process enables a university system to prepare valuable programs for the personal growth and empowerment of its faculty members by strengthening the strengths and correcting the weaknesses (3). Professors should also be informed about students' attitudes toward themselves and career decisions. Therefore, it is necessary to have a valid and comprehensive evaluation system to provide an actual evaluation of professors' educational performance, which is valid and reliable and less influenced by students' personal opinions (4, 5). This study aimed to design a standard tool for evaluating the University of Medical Sciences professors in the country so that all universities use a uniform form.
Group discussion and Delphi techniques were used in this tool-making study. First, all the forms available in the country's medical sciences universities were collected through correspondence with the study and development centers of medical sciences. Then, relevant experts determined their strengths, weaknesses, similarities, and differences through the focused group discussion (FGD) method. Then, the necessary classification was performed on all the items obtained from the existing forms. Then, their opinions about the proposed form were considered using the Delphi method and through correspondence with experienced professors. In the next step, the final form was prepared using the FGD method, and a panel of experts determined the face and content validity of the form.
A general form with a 4-mode Likert scale and 29 questions was developed for all students, including the title, introduction, guide, and specifics of the relevant course regarding the teaching of theoretical courses by professors compiled for all students in all courses. In addition, four other forms were included in this questionnaire, depending on the case, one may be completed in addition to the general form. The four forms included a form asking students for their opinions about teaching theoretical courses virtually (14 questions), practical and laboratory courses (16 questions), internships (26 questions), and Islamic education courses (9 questions). All five forms (main form and four appendices) had 94 questions.
Since a student evaluation form is a practical, valid, and reliable tool for evaluating professors, this uniform form should be combined with other evaluation methods (such as professor self-evaluation and manager evaluation) throughout the country to improve the educational performance of professors. A standardized questionnaire should also be developed for professor self-evaluation and manager evaluation of professors so that the results can be used to improve medical science education and address professor performance shortcomings.
