Presenting the model of professional development of the faculty members of Islamic Azad University using mixed approach

Abstract The aim of present study was to present a model of professional development of faculty members of Islamic Azad University. The research method was exploratory. The statistical population of the study included 2156 experts, thinkers, deans of universities and colleges, deputies, and heads of department and faculty members of different units of Islamic Azad universities in Fars province. In the qualitative section, using a purposeful sampling method, a sample size of 20 people was selected. Also, in the quantitative section, using a random sampling method, a sample size of 326 people was used. Data collection tools in the qualitative section included two parts of semi-structured interviews in the field section and review of upstream documents and higher education documents in the library section. In the quantitative section, a researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis in qualitative section was performed based on content analysis. Also, in the quantitative section, confirmatory factor analysis was used to analyze the data and structural equation modelling was used to determine the model fit. In the quantitative section, Spss-23 and Lisrel-8 software was used. The results led to the identification of 29 components and 6 dimensions and finally, the research model was presented. The results showed that each of the dimensions of educational dimension (0.78), research dimension (0.70), service dimension (0.64), ethical dimension (0.61), cultural dimension (0.57) and executive dimension (0.50), respectively, had an impact on professional development of faculty members of Islamic Azad University. Also, Bentler-Bonett Normed Fit Index, incremental fit index, and comparative indices of the model showed that the designed structural model had a good fit.