Social Factors Influencing the Rate of Scientific Collaboration among Faculty Members: A Case Study of Kurdistan University

The main aim of this article is to study the impact of social factors on the rate of scientific collaboration among faculty members of Kurdistan University in 2007-2008. The theoretical framework of the article comes from the area of sociology of science, especially theories expounded by Warren Hegstrom and Randal Collins. The statistical population of this survey consists of all 160 faculty members of Kurdistan University in the educational year of 2007-2008. This is a survey which has used the questionnaire for data gathering. The data were analyzed utilizing descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings show that faculty members with high cultural capital and emotional energy, exhibit higher rates of collaboration. There is a reverse relationshipbetween faculty members’ work experience and the rate of scientific collaboration. The variable of communications and interactions show a weak relationship with scientific collaboration. An instance of usefulness of this survey is that it provides an empirical background for drawing the attention of policymakers to the significance of suitable normative environment for the formation and enhancement of emotional energy and cultural capital among the faculty members and planning for scientific socialization.