The Concept of Scientific Capital in the Academic Field: the Perspective of Shahid Beheshti University Actors

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 - PhD in Higher Education Development Planning, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Professor of Educational Science, Faculty of Education & Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Professor of Higher Education Planning, Institute for Research and Planning in Higher Education, Tehran, Iran.

4 Assistant Professor of Educational Science, Faculty of Education & Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

In a scientific field such as a university, there is always a struggle to gain a position, recognition, social respect, prestige, fame and reputation, and winning among various factors and forces; So that presence in the university field can lead to the accumulation of various capitals; In this study, based on Pierre Bourdieu's sociological theory, the concept of scientific capital is examined from the perspective of academic actors and the basic question is answered, what is the definition of scientific capital by academic actors? In their view, what are the characteristics of scientific capital in the university environment? And finally, what are the consequences of scientific capital from the perspective of academic activists?
The participants of the present study are the activists of Shahid Beheshti University including managers, staff, faculty members, students and graduates. Using the method of "targeted sampling", 56 activists who have lived in Shahid Beheshti University and have reliable information. They had a treatise on the subject; In this study, the interview tool was used for a direct and in-depth discussion about the status of scientific capital of University. Also, due to the qualitative approach of this research, Lincoln and Guba's  evaluation method and re-coding method by the researcher and retest reliability were used to measure the validity and reliability of the interviews;The results of the research indicate that the power and survival of scientific capital in a university field in relation to other actors and conflict and negotiation. With them in order to gain points and individual and organizational development; In other words, the definition of scientific capital is not based solely on the dignity and status of the place of study and employment, and its emergence and flourishing, on the one hand, in the context in which it is located, and on the other hand, in its ability. Adaptation depends on environmental change and diversity;. The findings of this study also showed that according to the view of the activists of Shahid Beheshti University, the scientific capital of a university field is in two tangible and intangible states, and scientific, attitudinal and social competencies are the characteristics of capital. Are considered scientific; Also the flourishing of scientific capital in university has individual consequences (social and occupational status, creation of scientific knowledge and scientific identity-finding) and organizational consequences (increasing scientific credibility, scientific mobility and dynamism, economic and cultural development and responding to stakeholders) .
 
 

Keywords

References

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