title: Evaluating teaching effectiveness in nursing education: an Iranian perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main objective of this study was to determine the perceptions of Iranian nurse educators and students regarding the evaluation of teaching effectiveness in university-based programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  An exploratory descriptive design was employed. 143 nurse educators in nursing faculties from the three universities in Tehran, 40 undergraduate, and 30 graduate students from Tehran University composed the study sample. In addition, deans from the three nursing faculties were interviewed. A researcher-developed questionnaire was used to determine the perceptions of both faculty and students about evaluating the teaching effectiveness of nurse educators, and an interview guide was employed to elicit the views of deans of faculties of nursing regarding evaluation policies and procedures. Data were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric statistics to identify similarities and differences in perceptions within the Iranian nurse educator group and the student group, and between these two groups of respondents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While faculty evaluation has always been a major part of university based nursing programs, faculty evaluation must be approached more analytically, objectively, and comprehensively to ensure that all nursing educators receive the fairest treatment possible and that the teaching-learning process is enhanced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Educators and students stressed that systematic and continuous evaluation as well as staff development should be the primary goals for the faculty evaluation process. The ultimate goals is the improvement of teaching by nurse educators.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Tehran, Iran. m_salsali@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mahvash
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salsali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015402:Nursing Education Research / Q000379:methods; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012579:Schools, Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D012938:Social Perception; D012941:Social Responsibility; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*