Journal of Iranian Social Studies

Abstract The topic of this article is child adoption of people who have spinal cord injury caused by Iran-Iraq war. Since most disabled war casualties who have spinal cord injury cannot have biological children, child adoption is a substitution. A large number of war casualties in Iran, due to their psychological as well as physical status have adopted children. The study aimed at answering the following questions; how do these people narrate their situation with child adoption and the way they face it? What difficulties or challenges have they been facing? The study is based on grounded theory methodology. The subjects of study include 20 disabled war casualties who have spinal cord injury (waist and neck) in three cities: Tehran, Qom and Isfahan. The findings explain that child adoption has been a way to confront with problems of loneliness, family disagreements and emotional issues. However, over time as the child grows to the maturity, especially at high school and later on, family face multiple problems. Keeping the child adoption as “the big secret”, being a confidant or not a confidant, attitudes of relatives and friends, being an only child, legal obstacles, common problems and social rejection can be considered as some of the problems of child adoption in such families.

Abstract Responsible research and innovation (RRI) is an emerging literature pursuing to develop a new model for governing science and technology in a responsible way. One of the most important aims of RRI is to transform the governance model of universities in order to be more accountable to the external motives. Examining the history of the universities in Iran, this paper suggests an overview on the evolution of governance models in Iranian higher education institutions. This paper analyzes the existent models of governance and management of scientific communities. The first question this paper faced with is about the origins of RRI. To deal with this, the history of RRI in both innovation literature and policy documents was comprehensively discussed. The relationship between RRI and the problem of governance was examined. These models might be a combination of hierarchical, bureaucratic, market-based, and network models. In addition, the particular kind of responsibility assigned to science and scientists in each model were examined and our new model of governance that we argue could meet the RRI criteria better and more efficient was proposed. This historical case study might help policymakers to consider contextual conditions of Iran's society in the forthcoming policy making.
 
 

Abstract Although, the nature and causality of "academic culture" in Iranian society has been a subject of debate for the past two decades, it has been less widely considered as a measurable component in the planning and executive management system. The purpose of this article is to propose a plan for an empirical study of "academic culture". The study aimed at defining the terms "culture" and "university", considering the structure of scientific proposals and existing academic works and comments to make a theoretical contribution to the concept. The proposed theoretical model is suggested to be tested in an analytical quantitative study. The results of study attempt to answer two questions about "what" the academic culture is and, "how" to formulate it theoretically.
 

Abstract In this paper, we study the programs and functions of Iranian academic communities in relation to the ethics of science. We are trying to figure out what scientific associations do to promote the ethics of science. What problems do they face with their activities? And; finally, as a part of the stakeholders and decision-makers in Iran, what suggestions do they offer to promote the ethics of science? The survey was conducted with open-ended questions on Iranian academic associations. Analysis of the findings shows that Iranian scientific associations acknowledge the problem, and the need to pay attention to the ethics of science. The proposals of Iranian scientific associations to counter and prevent academic misconduct can be categorized into three dimensions: “education”, “professional role models” and pursuing “structural and organizational changes.” But its realization requires the existence of a backup structure, the necessary facilities for preventing violations, punishing the offenders and most importantly, safeguarding the independence of scientific associations.
 

Abstract Social commitment is one of the most important factors in creating social order and social stability in societies. It includes an emotional, cognitive and behavioral state that creates loyalty and commitment to individuals, rules, roles, norms and values. This article examines the relationship between social commitment and delinquency. For this purpose, 402 high school students of Yazd and Khorramabad of the academic year 2016-2017 were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. The gathered data were analyzed using AMOS and SPSS. Results indicate that there is a negative and significant relationship between social commitment and delinquency. The results of regression analysis indicate that social commitment, moral annoyance and anomy have the most effect on explaining delinquency.

Abstract Family formation and marriage is one of the most important decisions every person makes during their lifespan. In mate selection the compatibility or resemblance of spouses could play an important role in marital durability, satisfaction and happiness. This study aims at investigating the tendency toward marital compatibility among youth population of Shiraz city. The article is based on a survey conducted on 384 individuals of the city. The dependent variable is marital compatibility. This variable was measured in a spectrum from tendency toward marital resemblance to marital difference. The people who get higher scores in this variable show their higher tendency towards marital resemblance. The results of study indicate that egalitarian attitudes towards gender roles, study hours, occupation, and income are significantly related to marital compatibility. In addition, males, married people and those with egalitarian gender attitudes showed more tendency to marital compatibility.