Pathology of Scientific Articles Publishing in the Field of Agriculture as Perceived by Faculty Members and Ph.D. Students (The Case of Colleges of Agriculture at Public Universities, Iran)

Abstract

Scientific publication is considered as one of the basic requirements of scientific community. In this regard, the purpose of this study was analyzing pathology of publishing scientific articles in the field of agriculture from the perspective of faculty members, and PhD. students. The research method was descriptive which was carried out by a survey technique for gathering data. The statistical population consisted of all faculty members and PhD. students of agriculture in the public universities of Iran. The study population was 6,773 people (N= 6773). By using Krejcie and Morgan’s Table and multi stage sampling, 363 people were selected as a sample (n= 363). The data collection tool was a questionnaire of which its validity was confirmed by a panel of faculty members of agricultural extension and education. The reliability of the items of the questionnaire was approved with calculating Cronbach's Alpha test (0.66≤ α≤ 0.92). Injuries of scientific articles publishing were classified in three areas of "publishing background", "publishing structure" and "publishing behavior" by using three branches theory. By taking advantage of factor analysis, three factors entitled "problem statement and research method", "weakness of titles and analysis" and "innovativeness and applicability" could explain 57.68 percent of changes in publication quality of scientific articles. Finally, according to research findings, the status of agricultural education has been explained to improve the quality of the publication of scientific articles. Keywords: Agriculture, Pathology, Quality, Scientific article, Scientific publication. _____________________________________________________________________________