Identification and Analysis of the Thematic Network Influencing the Quality of Educational Services at Fars University of Medical Sciences

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD. Student, Department of Educational Management, Marv.C., Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Management, Marv.C., Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran.

10.22038/mjms.2026.93357.5202

Abstract

Introduction: The quality of educational services is one of the most critical components of success and effectiveness in universities, particularly in the field of medical sciences, as high-quality education facilitates student empowerment and the professional development of faculty members. The aim of this study was to identify and explain the thematic network of educational service quality at Fars University of Medical Sciences during the 2022–2023 academic year.
Methods: This study employed a qualitative methodology with a thematic analysis approach within an exploratory research framework. Participants included experienced faculty members, senior-year students, and educational managers and experts with more than eight years of experience in the field of educational service quality. Participants were selected through purposive, criterion-based sampling. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and continued until theoretical saturation was achieved (n=23). Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis, and a thematic network was developed.
Results: The findings led to the identification of one global theme, seven organizing themes, and forty-three basic themes. The organizing themes comprised faculty human factors, student human factors, university staff human factors, structural factors, social factors, educational factors, and research factors, each of which explains fundamental dimensions of educational service quality within the academic environment.
Conclusion: Based on the extracted thematic network, a comprehensive framework was developed to represent the factors influencing the quality of educational services. This framework can serve as a foundation for the development of evaluation models and strategic planning in medical sciences universities.

Keywords

Main Subjects


  1. Mokhopadhyay M. Quality management in education. Paris: UNESCO–International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP); 2001.
  2. Onditi EO, Wechuli TW. Service quality and student satisfaction in higher education institutions: A review of literature. Int J Sci Res Publ. 2017; 7:328–335.
  3. Tabarsa G, Hatami S, Abdali R. Explaining the relationship between organizational intelligence and knowledge creation: A case study of employees of an industrial company. Pajouheshnameh Modiriyat-e Tahavol (Res J Manag). 2012;4(7):110–132. Available from: https://sid.ir/paper/153989/fa
  4. Toscano-Hernández AM, Álvarez-González B, Sanzo-Pérez MJ. Service quality in higher education: Dimensions, measurement, and strategic implications. High Educ Q. 2024;78(2):345–363.
  5. Gürbüzer B, Acuner AM. The role of service quality in enhancing technological innovation, satisfaction, and loyalty among university students in Northern Cyprus. Sustainability. 2025;17(15):6832.
  6. Harahap MS, Milfayetti S, Mariani M. Systematic literature review of academic service quality in higher education. In: Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Innovation in Education, Science, and Culture (ICIESC 2024). EAI; 2025.
  7. Farhodi S, Vahdat R, Sameri M. Identifying key indicators of educational service quality at Islamic Azad University. Manag Educ Dev Digit Age. 2024;1(4):78–88.
  8. Karimi A, Saadati M. Qualitative analysis of factors affecting the quality of educational services in medical universities. Q J Med Educ Stud. 2023;15(2):45–62.
  9. Ahmadi F, Rostgar L. Examining dimensions of educational service quality in Iran’s higher education system: A qualitative study. Res Plan High Educ. 2022;28(3):120–145.
  10. Tınmaz H, P. RP. Service quality in higher education: A literature review. J Educ Gift Young Sci. 2024;12(3):119–135.
  11. Clarke V, Braun V. Teaching thematic analysis: Overcoming challenges and developing strategies for effective learning. Psychologist. 2013;26(2):120–123.
  12. Ananada A. The influence of teacher personality on student motivation and learning outcomes: A systematic review from an economics of education perspective. Perfect Educ Fairy. 2025;3(1):1–4. doi:10.56442/pef.v3i1.1063
  13. Maazouzi K. The impact of teacher’s personality and behavior on students’ achievement. Glob J Hum Soc Sci. 2019. Available from: https://socialscienceresearch.org/index.php/GJHSS/article/download/3026/2915/29524
  14. Abedini MR, Abbasi A, Mortazavi F, Bijari B. Factors affecting student–teacher communication from the perspective of students at Birjand University of Medical Sciences. Iran J Med Educ. 2012;12(1):1–12. Available from: https://ijme.mui.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1559-1&slc_lang=fa
  15. Masoumi A, Mousavi ZS, Ghamari-Zareh Z. Examining teacher–student communication skills and their relationship with contextual characteristics from medical students’ perspective. Res Med Educ. 2024;17(5):101–110. Available from: https://edcbmj.ir/article-1-3206-fa.pdf
  16. Marchenko O. Student self-regulation, responsibility, and academic success: A conceptual analysis. Int J Educ Res. 2020;100:101536. doi:10.1016/j.ijer.2019.101536
  17. Goldhaber D, Gratz T, Theobald R. What predicts student achievement? Student characteristics, engagement, and learning behaviors. Econ Educ Rev. 2020;77:101983. doi:10.1016/j.econedurev.2020.101983
  18. Cochran J, Campbell SM, Baker H, Leeds E. Student motivation and responsibility in higher education: The role of engagement and inquiry. J Learn High Educ. 2019;15(1):25–34.
  19. Hosseini M, Khodadadi M, Naseri F. The role of student responsibility and educational follow-up in improving the quality of educational services. Q J Res Plan High Educ. 2020;26(4):81–98.
  20. Najafinejad H, Ghorbani Z, Ramazani E. The relationship between student attitude and inquiry spirit with the quality of educational experience. Q J Educ Educ Eval. 2019;12(2):45–60.
  21. Zarabi L, Ahmadi R, Yousefi N. The role of honesty and reporting educational problems by students in learning quality. J Univ Educ Res. 2017;9(3):115–130.
  22. Day C, Gu Q, Gong Y. Teacher professionalism and student outcomes: Human interactions in educational environments. London: Routledge; 2016.
  23. Price DV, Sedlak W, Martinez M. Student support staff and educational quality: The role of academic personnel in promoting student success. J Stud Aff Res Pract. 2020;57(3):345–360. doi:10.1080/19496591.2019.1653832
  24. Ginsberg MB, Wlodkowski RJ. Creating highly motivated classrooms: A cooperative learning approach. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 2019.
  25. Hasani A, Jalali M, Taheri N. The relationship between educational staff and student learning quality: The role of crisis management and human interaction. Res Curric Plan. 2020;26(2):99–116.
  26. Afshari R, Karami S, Maleki E. The role of educational staff in improving university service quality: Examining professional communication and educational management. Iran J High Educ. 2019;12(4):65–84.
  27. Brabazon T, O’Hara L, Gordon J. The university of the future: Educational structures, quality assurance, and academic leadership. Cham: Springer; 2020.
  28. Seitel A, Wagner K, Dorn R. Structural frameworks and quality enhancement in universities: A governance perspective. Stud High Educ. 2019;44(12):2354–2368.
  29. Kilpatrick S. Academic workload, student numbers, and teaching quality: A structural analysis. J High Educ Policy Manag. 2019;41(5):503–517.
  30. Burtonoska M, Koval T, Meško D. Structural determinants of educational service quality in higher education institutions. Qual High Educ. 2019;25(3):245–260. doi:10.1080/13538322.2019.1653864
  31. Daneshmandi M, Salimi R, Ansari L. The role of educational structure and faculty workload in improving the quality of university educational services. Iran High Educ Res. 2017;9(2):77–94.
  32. Denner J, Salzman M, Wang L. Social dimensions of higher education quality: Impacts on communities and graduates. J Educ Res Pract. 2020;10(2):112–130.
  33. Georich T, Hall P, Turner S. University education and social development: The role of graduates in societal advancement. Int J Educ Dev. 2019;68:1–11. doi:10.1016/j.ijedudev.2019.01.002
  34. Denny R. The social impact of higher education: Developing graduates for society. High Educ Policy. 2019;32(4):489–506.
  35. Ko E, Smith J, Lee K. Higher education and community engagement: Social responsibilities of universities. J High Educ Outreach Engagem. 2018;22(3):5–24.
  36. Gisbert M. Social competence and higher education: Preparing graduates for societal responsibilities. High Educ Rev. 2017;49(1):23–41.
  37. Lin Y. Academic alignment between faculty and students: Impacts on learning outcomes. Int Journal Teach Learn High Educ. 2020;32(1):45–55.
  38. Gazavi M, Rahimi F, Hosseini S. Academic support and student success in higher education: A systematic review. J Educ Res. 2020;113(2):105–118.
  39. Elliott R, Thompson K, James L. Enhancing student learning through faculty support and mentoring. Stud High Educ. 2020;45(7):1390–1405.

doi:10.1080/03075079.2019.1614502

  1. Davis R, Thompson J, Lee K. Integrating research into higher education: Strategies for student engagement and innovation. J Educ Res. 2020;113(3):210–225.
  2. Gruber M, Schindler S, Wagner H. Fostering research competencies in higher education: A systematic review. Stud High Educ. 2020;45(9):1832–1848. doi:10.1080/03075079.2019.1673834
  3. Hammer S, Johnson P, Carter L. Developing research culture among undergraduate students: Lessons from innovative programs. Int J Res Educ. 2019;11(2):55–72.
  4. Mencazo T, Rivera F, Silva P. Applied research in higher education: Bridging theory and practice. High Educ Res Dev. 2019;38(7):1421–1435.
  5. Sorensen D, Holmes R, Adams J. Embedding research skills in higher education curricula: An international perspective. Stud Educ Eval. 2017;54:12–22.