Effective Factors on the Selection of Scientific Research Topic of Graduate Students Majoring Rural Geography and Planning

The majority of studies in rural fields are done in forms of thesis and dissertations by geography and rural planning graduate students. First prerequisite for maximization of efficiency in the researches requires selection of suitable topics. Therefore, the purpose of this current research was to identify effective factors on the selection of scientific research topic of graduate students majoring Rural Geography and Planning. An analytical– descriptive method was used in this study by combining documentary and survey procedures. Population of study included university professors (20 people) and students (161 people) in Geography and Rural Planning field in Tehran’s public universities. A total of 100 students were selected by quota sampling method and 20 professors through convenience approach. Research tool was a researcher made questionnaire that its reliability was establish through experts in Geography and Rural Planning (Cronbach's alpha= .79). For Statistical analysis of data, tests such as frequency distribution, means, factor analysis, t tests and Wilcoxon test were used. The results of factor analysis showed that five factors including the academic environment, student's personal interests, time and ease of access to resources, relation with institutions and organizations and place attachment had most effects on student’s selection of thesis and dissertation topics. Among these factors, university environment had the most effect. The results indicated that the students had less attention to the issues, problems and needs of rural communities.