Reasons for Classes Irregularity at the Beginning of Each Semester from the Viewpoint of Faculty Members

Abstract

Introduction: Holding classes based on a university-set date is a form of discipline and compliance with educational regulations. But what we currently observe is one or more weeks of delay in starting the semester. This study aimed to determine the causes of irregularities at the beginning of each semester in medical universities from the viewpoint of faculty members. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2016, using the available sampling method on 59 faculty members of three Universities of Medical Sciences (Babol, Shahid Beheshti and Iran). The research tool was a 22-item questionnaire consisting of four sections on factors affecting irregularities. The validity of the research tool was confirmed by six faculty members and its reliability was confirmed by the test-retest method (r = 0.82). Result: The majority of faculty members participating in the study were male (34 people), most of them were assistant professors (23 people) with the average work experience of 15.24±8.6 years. Asking them about the reasons for the students' absence showed that they believed the most important reason was their friends persuading them not to attend the first classes of each semester (4.29±0.773) and the lack of facilities such as dormitory and dining room at the beginning of the semester (3.74±1.28). Conclusion: According to the findings, the occurrence of irregularities at the beginning of university semesters is influenced by various factors, especially encouraging classmates not to attend the classes, but the teachers can prevent it with their desired influence.