Internal Evaluation of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics of the School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Background and Aim: Experience at the national and international levels shows that internal evaluation, especially at the level of academic departments, can play a critical role in warranting having a university with high standards. The objectives of the present research project were to determine (a). the quality of the structural elements of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department (EBD) School of Public Health Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and (b). The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, on the basis of which action could be taken to improve the quality of activities in the Department. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with the collaboration of the head and faculty members, all of the students (residents, Ph.D. and M.S. students), and the graduates, of the EBD. Nine variables were studied, namely, 1). Aims and objectives; 2). Organizational and management structure; 3). Faculty members; 4). Students; 5). Teaching and learning process; 6). Courses and curricula; 7). Graduates; 8). Research and educational facilities and equipment; and 9). Research activities of the faculty members. First the initial weight of the 9 variables were determined by opinion poll carried out among all the faculty members of EBD. Then unrelated data were identified through proper tests and omitted and the final weights extracted. The tools used to collect the data included interview, observation, and 7 self-prepared questionnaires and 2 check lists. Results: The mean score for the 9 factors studied was 59.8%, the range being between 37.0% (for objectives and mission) and 72.0% (for graduates). Conclusion: The graduate domain is one of the key areas in internal evaluation of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. On the other hand, the lower score for objective and aims domain implicates the need for future intervention in this domain.