Professors’ Valuation Criteria from the Perspective of Students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Using Shannon’s Entropy Technique in 2016

Background and Objectives: One of the ways to assess professors is through evaluation by students. This is one of the most challenging methods, with many people for and against it. The present study aimed to weigh existing evaluation criteria in the form of students’ evaluation of professors at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Methods: The present descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 240 students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2016 - 17. Data were collected using a six-criterion questionnaire. Questionnaires were distributed among students by the researcher through the schools’ education units and then collected. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS. Weighing criteria were done by Shannon’s entropy method in Excel. Results: Of the six evaluation criteria, “Attracting students’ attention” weighed the most (0.2087 out of 1), followed by “Use of interactive and new teaching methods” (0.2049), “Ability to make the subject understood and motivate” (0.1728), “Punctuality” (0.1727), “Proper communication” (0.1546), and “Proper planning” (0.0863). Conclusions: Attention to basic criteria in students’ evaluation of professors is highly important, and this kind of evaluation is only useful when evaluation questionnaires are reviewed by students and include important points and become a part of an extensive and systematic evaluation program for the progress of faculty members. Keywords: Evaluation Criteria, Professor, Student, Weighing, Shannon’s Entrop