evaluation of ph. d. thesis of iranian universities in different agricultural and natural branches

this research project was carried out to evaluate the ph.d.theses in agricultural and natural resources branches in the universities of the country in the years of 2011 and 2012. totally 257 theses were evaluated. in this study, six scientific and applied indices were evaluated. one hundred points were given to each thesis; 70 points for scientific and 30 points for applied aspects of the thesis.  all theses were qualitatively evaluated on the basis of “very good”, “good”, “average” and “weak”. the results of this investigation showed that:  in irrigation branch: 14 theses were evaluated and as a result, the total average credits for quantitative and qualitative aspects were 67.29% and   “average”, respectively.   in agricultural economics, extension and education branch: 15 theses were evaluated and as a result, the total average credits for quantitative and qualitative aspects were 83.53% and   “good”, respectively.    in horticulture sciences branch: 20 theses were evaluated and as a result, the total average credits for quantitative and qualitative aspects were 69.65% and “average”, respectively.   in forestry and environment branch: 16 theses were evaluated and as a result, the total average credits for quantitative and qualitative aspects were 72.9 % and “average”, respectively.   in wood sciences branch: 16 theses were evaluated and as a result, the total average credits for quantitative and qualitative aspects were 82.02 and “good”, respectively.   in soil science branch: 21 theses were evaluated and as a result, the total average credits for quantitative and qualitative aspects were 71.5 % and “average”, respectively.    in animal sciences branch: 17 theses were evaluated and as a result, the total average credits for quantitative and qualitative aspects were 54.41 %  and   “weak” ,  respectively.   in crop production and breeding branch: 24 theses were evaluated and as a result, the total average credits for quantitative and qualitative aspects were 77.5 % and “good”, respectively.    in fishery branch: 11 theses were evaluated and as a result, the total average credits for quantitative and qualitative aspects were 75.27 % and   “good”, respectively.    in food science and technology branch: 25 theses were evaluated and as a result, the total average credits for quantitative and qualitative aspects were 71.44 % and “average”, respectively.   in plant protection branch: 39 theses were evaluated and as a result, the total average credits for quantitative and qualitative aspects were 74.97 % and “good”, respectively.    in farm machinery branch: 21 theses were evaluated and as a result, the total average credits for quantitative and qualitative aspects were 75.28% and “good” , respectively.    in range and watershed management branch, 18 theses were evaluated and as a result, the total average credits for quantitative and qualitative aspects were 71.72% and “average” ,  respectively.    the mean for all branches of the agricultural sciences group from qualitative point of view, was evaluated as “average”.   some points on problems are pointed out and some suggestions are made.