The effect of research work on the professional development of university instructors and quality of instruction

Abstract

Continued, productive, and quality researching by instructiors presents the basis and important indicator of success in the work of the college in its mission, but also the conditions to improve and attain the educational calling. According to the Report on Self-Reporting, the college of teaching in Serbia is deemed to produce quality research. Our research is focused on one aspect of a marked problem, focused on quantitative research; while the instruction meets standards, there are a number of marked weaknesses and the possibility of further improvement. Our investigation is focused on one aspect of a specified problem, the quantitative approach and methods of evaluating the research work of professors oriented on an all-compassing professional development and the quality of instruction at the college. Because of those reasons, investigation of professors' views and the views of people involved in the college about their research work and the quality of their work. Out of the two goals came out two research assignments: 1) examining how the instructors of the college of teaching percieve quantitative methods and research methods in the framework of their own professional development, and 2) confirm if, in any way, the current quantitative and research methods help produce quality work at all levels. With the implementation of the described method, ninety-seven instructors and people involved in the work of the college were sampled, using Likert's Scale, in Uzice, Beograd, Vranje, and Jagodina. The results indicate that current methods are acceptable, but further improvement is necessary for the work of the college.