Iranian Context Research Articles

MOBILE MEDIATED LEARNING IN LANGUAGE CLASSROOMS: LEARNER’S SATISFACTION, THEIR PERCEIVED USEFULNESS OF INSTRUCTION AND CLASSROOM ACHIEVEMENT

Mobile technology has recently become one of the most important fields of study for many educators in the field of teaching and learning. Mobile technologies are considered as valuable resources for language learning and teaching and provide many practical applications for language learning. The concept of mobile mediated learning and its underlying constructs along with their implications for language learning and teaching are little understood in Iranian context. So, it is important to investigate how different aspects of mobile mediated learning including omnipresence, context customization, interactivity, perceived self-efficacy, and m-learning motivation affect second language learning. This paper investigates the understanding of mobile mediated language learning among Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners by examining the effect of different aspects of this concept on learners’ satisfaction with mobile learning as well as the learners’ perception of usefulness of mobile learning. Moreover, this study aims to examine the effect of learners’ perceived satisfaction and perceived usefulness of mobile learning on EFL learners' classroom achievement. To this end, a sample of 150 EFL learners were added to a Telegram group for 12 mobile-assisted language learning sessions and then answered three questionnaires regarding aspects of mobile mediated learning and also learners’ perceived satisfaction and perceived usefulness of mobile learning. This study has a proposed research model that shows the constructs examined in this study. Structural equation modeling results indicated that two aspects of mobile mediated learning had a significant effect on learner’s perceived satisfaction. The findings also showed that three aspects of mobile mediated learning affected learner’s perceived usefulness of mobile learning. The results revealed that learner’s classroom achievement is not influenced by learners’ perceived satisfaction and perceived usefulness of mobile learning.

Psychometric properties of the Metacognitions about Smartphone Use Questionnaire (MSUQ) in a sample of iranians

Research has shown that metacognitions are associated with addictive behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties (i.e., factor structure, reliability, and predictive validity) of the Persian Metacognitions about Smartphone Use Questionnaire (Persian MSUQ). A community sample of 618 participants (63.6% female, mean age = 27.31 ± 8.95 years; age range: 15–67 years) was recruited in Iran. The results of exploratory factor analysis revealed that the Persian MSUQ had a three-factor structure, similar to the parent version, named positive metacognitions about emotional and cognitive regulation, negative metacognitions about uncontrollability and cognitive harm, and positive metacognitions about social advantages. The confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the three-factor structure of the Persian MSUQ had appropriate fit. Cronbach's alphas for the three factors were 0.89, 0.88, and 0.70, respectively. Test-retest coefficients over a 6-week interval showed good reliability for the Persian MSUQ total score (ICC = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.72–0.87). Regression analyses showed that metacognitions about smartphone use predicted problematic smartphone use independently of anxiety and depression. The findings suggest that the Persian MSUQ has appropriate psychometric properties in the Iranian context.

Antecedents of perceived beneficial destination image: a study on Middle-Eastern medical tourists visit Iran

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the relationship between travel motivation, perceived risks, travel constraints and perceived beneficial destination image that leads to visit intention among Middle-Eastern medical tourists. Some previous studies have explained these factors in detail, however, studies that explore the relationship between these factors in the Iranian context is scarce. Moreover, there are relatively very few studies, which focused on actual medical tourists in empirical investigation, therefore, there is still a lack of clarity in the literature regarding travel behavior and travel decision-making of medical tourists.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative study was performed on 161 Middle-Eastern medical tourists who visited Iran in early months of 2018. Purposive sampling method was used to collect the data from two private hospitals. Structural equation modeling with partial least square (PLS) approach was used and PLS 3.2.8 data analysis tool was used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe data analysis results have found that perceived destination image was the strongest predictor of visit intention among medical tourists. The results have also found a positive effect of travel motivation and negative effect of perceived travel risks on perceived beneficial destination image.Originality/valueThis study aims to enrich the body of knowledge by investigating the relationship between the factors, which have important roles in travel behavior and decision-making of medical tourists. The study also bridges the gap in the literature by explaining the behavior of actual medical tourists. The findings of the study provide the much needed insight on the behavioral intention of medical tourists, which will help the service providers and policymakers to reform their strategies and policies accordingly.

Qualitative Study of Health System Preparedness for Successful Implementation of Disaster Exercises in the Iranian Context.

Implementing disaster exercises in different parts of the health system is one of the important steps in providing and developing disaster risk management plans. Considering the importance of promoting health system preparedness through exercise, the present study aimed to identify and explain necessary and original components for successful implementation of preparedness exercises of the health-care system in disaster. The study was a qualitative content analysis. Data were collected by purposeful sampling through in-depth and semi-structured individual interviews with 25 health professionals in disaster. Directed content analysis was used to analyze the data, which extracted the initial codes after performing the recorded interviews on paper and immersing them in the data analysis. The data analysis resulted in the production of 100 initial codes, 14 subcategories, 6 main categories of "coordination and information management," "standards and indicators," "conduction and control of the process," "logistic management and supplies," "management of treatment operation," and "management of health operation," under the original theme of "implementation of exercise." The findings of this study can greatly increase the attention of senior managers to preparedness in all areas of the health system, especially managers of prehospitals and hospitals who are the forefront of the response to the disaster. The findings of this study can be considered as a guideline for the implementation of principle and standardized health system preparedness exercises.

Students’ Needs or Teachers’ Wishes? A Triangulated Survey of Medical EAP in Iranian Context

Mixed in method, the present study investigated whether there was any significant difference between students’and teachers’perceptions of Iranian medical English for Academic Purposes (EAP) students’ language needs. In so doing, 220 EAP students of medicine, 30 subject-matter teachers of EAP, and 20 teachers of English for General Purposes (EGP) teaching medical EAP completed a Likert-scale questionnaire. Fifty of the students and 20 of the teachers also attended a semi-structured interview. The results of both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics indicated that, overall, there was a significant mismatch between the students’and the teachers’perceptions of medical EAP students’ needs. However, both teachers and students perceived reading comprehension as the most important language skill. Moreover, the students, in general, were found not to be satisfied with the EAP program presented to them. The results might prove fruitful for curriculum designers, materials developers, and teachers in (medical) EAP contexts to hear students’voices and to incorporate them in their programs, syllabi, and teaching.

A Study of the Challenging Sociocultural Variables Affecting EFL Learners’ Identity in an Iranian Context

The present research probed the sociocultural challenging variables which may affect EFL learners’ identity formation during their language studies in an Iranian context. A thorough analysis of the literature encompassing EFL teachers’ opinions and EFL coursebook analyses was performed to develop a comprehensive view of the recognized sociocultural domains and variables. Furthermore, an open-ended questionnaire was designed and distributed among 50 adolescent male and female EFL learners at the age range of 13-21 years (M=16) as Erickson’s identity confusion stage to identify the newest sociocultural challenging variables in the present Iranian context. The result of the research led to compilation of a Sociocultural Variables Inventory presenting an extended range of variables operating in the context of Iranian EFL learners’ identity formation. The inventory could act as a basis for research in the fields of TEFL, sociolinguistics, cultural studies, and further interdisciplinary research.

The effect of Virtual and Real Classroom Instruction on Inter-language Pragmatic Development: Microblogging versus Traditional Instruction of Speech Acts to Iranian EFL Learners

Despite the fact that virtual learning seems to have considerable potential for enhancing language learners’ communicative abilities, it has received less attention for improving pragmatic competence of learners in EFL educational settings. The present study was an attempt to investigate the impact of virtual and real classroom instruction of speech acts on the pragmatic awareness and development of Iranian EFL learners. To do so, a quasi-experimental study was designed and, through a homogeneity test, 57 EFL female language learners at the intermediate level were chosen. The participants were randomly divided into the experimental groups of virtual and real classroom learning and went through the procedure of pretest, intervention, and posttest; the pertinent data were collected by means of a PET test, a speech-act pre-test and comparable post-tests of speech acts. Both measures of independent and paired-samples t-test were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that instruction of speech acts through both virtual and real classroom techniques can be conducive to the promotion of pragmatic awareness among the EFL learners in the Iranian context; meanwhile, real classroom instruction of speech acts proved to be more fruitful and more significantly elevated the pragmatic awareness of Iranian EFL learners. We conclude the study drawing on the implications of our findings for ELT and EFL policy makers, language educators and teachers, material developers, and learners.

The Association of Experienced in-service EFL teachers’ immunity with engagement, emotions, and autonomy

The construct of language teacher immunity has recently been introduced as a robust protective armor allowing language teachers to take on challenges within classroom context. However, due to the novelty of the concept, scant research attention has been given to the predictors of language teacher immunity, especially in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) contexts. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between autonomy, emotions, engagement, and immunity of experienced in-service EFL teachers (N = 390) in the Iranian context. After collecting data through four electronic questionnaires, standard multiple regression analysis was performed. The results indicated that autonomy, emotions, and engagement could be significant predicators of language teacher immunity. More specifically, the findings suggested that teacher autonomy had the strongest explanatory power in predicting experienced in-service EFL teachers’ immunity. In addition, regarding the inextricable connection between EFL teachers’ immunity, autonomy, engagement, and emotions, the centrality of language teacher immunity was underscored. These findings contribute to the field of teacher education by depicting the areas on which educators should focus to develop EFL teachers’ immunity. The findings imply that providing experienced EFL teachers with opportunities to exercise autonomy, demonstrate commitment, and regulate emotions through teacher education courses can be helpful to facilitate their productive immunity development. Finally, suggestions for future research are offered.

The Challenges of People With Heart Failure in Activity of Daily Living Performance: A Qualitative Study in Iranian Context

Objectives: People with Heart Failure (HF) encounter many limitations while performing their daily activities. These limitations can have adverse effects on their quality of life and self-satisfaction. Hence, to assess problems in the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and plan effective interventions, we should properly identify people’s challenges in performing daily activities. This study aimed to recognize the ADL challenges in people with HF and their effects on ADL. Methods: Twelve people with HF (aged 38 to 65 years) recruited from Rajai Hospital participated in this study using a purposeful sampling method. They were interviewed up to data saturation. Each semi-structured interview session lasted for 20-45 minutes (average 32.5 minutes). The obtained data were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis approach. Results: The challenges of the participants with performing ADL were summarized under two themes: “obstacles preventing normal functioning” and “disturbances in doing daily living activities as a burden”. The first theme consisted of “interference of previous experience in performance” and “challenges during the performance”. The second theme consisted of “personal laborious activities” and “interruption of activities performance related to family roles and outdoor tasks”. Discussion: Patients with HF have serious challenges with performing ADLs which are crucial for their living. Therefore, identifying their barriers and needs will play a major role in designing compensatory, educational, and coping programs based on the limited activities and the interrupted parameters in ADL performance.

Healthcare for Women and Girls Who Have Been Subjected to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C)

Background: Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) may increase the risk of health consequences in girls and women. Public health policies and guidelines on providing care for this target group should be implemented in the healthcare services. Objectives: The aim of this brief report was to introduce innovations in Swedish healthcare for women and girls who have been subjected to FGM/C in order to advance our knowledge and understanding the adoption, implementation, and potential scale-up of healthcare services for this target group in Iran. Methods: Data were collected from a register study, an inventory of regional guidelines in Sweden, and a literature review. Results: The results show that care offers can be categorized as obstetric and gynecological care, psychosexual consulting, and plastic surgery. The results can be adapted and implemented in an Iranian context by preparing guidelines for providing care for this target group at the region, province, and country level. Conclusions: Another suggestion for improvement of care for women and girls exposed to FGM/C in Iran is the use of diagnosis codes recommended by WHO to register, map, and follow up these patients. Obstetric and gynecological, plastic surgery, psychosexual consulting may be recommended to provide person-centered care.

Inter-cultural and cross-cultural communication through physicians' lens: perceptions and experiences.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore Swedish physicians’ perceptions regarding physician-patient communication in an Iranian context and to obtain a deeper understanding of their lived experience when encountering Middle Eastern and Swedish patients in their daily work. MethodsThis is a multi-method study, including conventional content analysis in combination with phenomenological methodology. A triangulation approach to data collection and analysis was used. Serving the purpose of the study, twelve Swedish physicians with previous experience of Middle Eastern patients were purposely selected to participate in the study. They watched a video showing simulated patient encounter in an Iranian context. The video served as a trigger. Semi-structured interviews were conducted focusing on the participants’ perceptions of the video and their lived experiences. Constant comparative analysis was used for a deep understanding of the data. ResultsThe core themes were cultural diversity, doctor-centeredness, and patient-centeredness. Cultural diversity was a convergent theme and included trust, interpersonal interaction, context, and doctor dominancy. Patient-centeredness and doctor-centeredness were divergent themes and included doctors’ authority, equity, the experience of illness, and accountability. ConclusionsThe participants confirmed large cultural differences in doctor-patient communication when encountering Iranian and Swedish patients. Inter-cultural and cross-cultural competencies were made visible. To be able to appreciate other cultures’ health values, beliefs, and behaviors, increased cultural competence in health care is of importance.

Coming on board: problems facing novice principals in Iran

ABSTRACT The main purpose of this paper is to report research on the problems faced by novice principals in Iran. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 novice principals, all from elementary schools in Iran. The paper also identifies possible solutions to address the problems through three focus group interviews. The analysis followed the principles of qualitative research. The main findings relate to three aspects: the personal constructions of novice principal problems, professional constructions of novice principal problems, and the possible solutions to help address the problems. The conclusion compares these Iranian findings with international research, showing some common issues but also certain problems that are distinctive to the Iranian context.

Towards a framework for facilitating the implementation of Tactical Urbanism Practices: Assessment Criteria in the Place-making Approach in Iran

One of the significant issues in developing countries like Iran is the decreased feasibility of place-making projects in urban development because the majority of urban design projects are top-down, high-cost, and long-term, thereby taking them years to be implemented. Even when implemented after a long time, these projects usually do not meet the users' demands of urban space as a result of the passage of time. Tactical urbanism (TU) has been recently proposed as a possible solution to facilitate place-making and promote “right to the city” in cities. This study aims to develop a framework for facilitating the implementation of TU projects in the Iranian context in the shadow of big government power. For fast and easy implementation of TU practices, a set of criteria was extracted from the literature and TU practices. All these criteria were validated with a panel of 20 experts of urban planning and design as well as local authorities using the Delphi technique to determine the most suitable ones for the proposed framework. The findings suggest that the TU facilitated criteria in the framework can be classified into six broad dimensions, namely, functional, experimental-aesthetic, environmental, social, governance and monitoring, and economic criteria. This framework has the potential to provide guidelines for TU practices on small-scale and informal place-making interventions based on citizens' needs in developing countries.

Wrong Belief of Emergency Delay: A Qualitative Content Analysis in Iranian Context

Background: During traffic accidents, professional staff provide care to the patient at the scene of the accident and then transport the victim to the hospital by ambulance. But sometimes this transition is carried out by relatives and laypeople. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors affecting people’s involvement and transmission of the victims of the traffic accident. Materials and Methods: This study was done with a qualitative content analysis method in 2018. The study participants were 16 people. In this study, a purposeful sampling method with maximum diversity was used. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data using guiding questions. To observe the research ethics, the researcher, after obtaining permission from the University Ethics Committee, conducted interviews (IR.USWR.REC.1395.399). Results: In total, 15 spinal cord injury victims and their relatives or laypeople and medical emergency technicians were interviewed. The class of wrong belief of delay was the main class in all interviews. Concepts such as past experiences, the pressure time, the lack of emergency time, cultural beliefs, and the tension explaining the wrong belief concept. Conclusion: Wrong belief of delay was a concept that was extracted from the present study. It is recommended that the scene of the accident be examined in-depth and how to create a spinal cord injury in the injured with a grounded theory approach.

Impact of corporate governance mechanisms on the cost of equity capital in emerging markets

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of corporate governance mechanisms on the cost of equity (COE) of Iranian and Iraqi nonfinancial companies listed in the Iran‐Iraq Stock Exchange. In order to achieve the purpose of the study all listed companies on the Iran‐Iraq Stock Exchange, was considered as population of the study during the period of 2012–2017 (137 Iranian listed companies and 34 Iraqi listed companies). In order to test the relationship between variables, the researchers used a set of statistics to estimate the multiple regression model appropriate to the study. Our results indicate a significant positive role for the board size and CEO tenure in reducing the COE. Finally, our results reveal a positive role in audit quality in reducing the COE in the Iranian context.

How primary caregivers of individuals with multiple sclerosis cope with social isolation: a grounded theory study in an Iranian context

Background/aims Multiple sclerosis is a progressive neurological disease that can significantly impact the psychosocial aspects of primary caregivers of individuals with multiple sclerosis. This study explored the process of social isolation among primary caregivers of individuals with multiple sclerosis in Kerman, Iran. Methods A grounded theory approach was employed to explore the various aspects of social isolation. Data were collected through unstructured and semi-structured interviews with 15 primary caregivers of individuals with multiple sclerosis, 13 individuals with multiple sclerosis and five health care providers who were selected based on purposeful and theoretical sampling. The data were analysed via constant comparative analysis. Results The core variable identified from the interviews was social isolation. Other concepts that were connected with this were: insufficient knowledge and awareness, escaping stigma, occupational difficulties, marital challenges and management of restrictions. Conclusions Social isolation can affect the wellbeing of primary caregivers of individuals with multiple sclerosis. Recognition and awareness of the process of social isolation and factors influencing it can be beneficial in designing theory-driven evaluation and intervention methods. It is recommended that rehabilitation specialists pay close attention to the common needs and interests of both individuals with multiple sclerosis and their primary caregivers.

Investigating a Structural Model of Self-Efficacy, Collective Efficacy, and Psychological Well-Being among Iranian EFL Teachers

Due to the significance of teachers’ beliefs and individual variables, a bulk of studies has focused on teacher characteristics over the past two decades. As an attempt to further clarify the interplay between teacher-related constructs in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context, the present study set out to explore the structural model hypothesizing the predictive role of teachers’ self-efficacy and collective teacher efficacy in affecting the psychological well-being of teachers in Iranian EFL context. In so doing, a sample of 179 English teachers was given the three self-report scales measuring the variables under investigation. As for the statistical analysis, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test the fit of the hypothesized model. The results indicated that teacher self-efficacy accounted for 19.8% of the variance while collective teacher efficacy amounted to 11.3% of the variance in psychological well-being. In addition, it was revealed that although both predictors had a unique effect on psychological well-being, teacher self-efficacy was a stronger predictor of psychological well-being than collective teacher efficacy. The results and implications are finally elaborated.

Exploring the strategies of faculty-student interactions: A grounded theory study in Iranian academic context

Abstract This study sought to explore the strategies students use to navigate faculty-student interactions in an Iranian academic context through using a grounded theory approach. Conceptual framework and theoretical background of the study are based on the social exchange frameworks, student socialization, and social learning theory. Participants were 35 university students and the data were gathered via in-depth interviews. Grounded theory analysis revealed thirteen categories and a core category of “interaction, formation of social capital and students' development” which described the faculty-student interaction strategies and their consequences. The results suggested that faculty-student interactions would occur under causal conditions of faculty-related and course-related contacts. The results also revealed that these interactions were affected by political orientation of faculty and gendered demarcation as contextual conditions in the Iranian academic context. Furthermore, the faculty presence, commuter or residential students, students' psychological characteristics and educational level were found to be the intervening conditions of faculty-student interaction. According to the results, the process of paradigm model comprised action/interaction strategies including academic, professional and personal interactions, trust, and intimacy. Moreover, the results also revealed that the two main consequences of adopting these strategies by the students were collaboration and changes in attitudes.

Instructed Second Language English Pragmatics in the Iranian Context

The present study aimed to review the instruction of the L2 speech acts in English pragmatics in the Iranian context during the last two decades from 2000 to 2020. To this end, upon the completion of the study search, the retrieved articles were selected and analyzed based on the research domain. The results of our synthesis from 54 studies carried out on the instruction of the speech act not only reveal that pragmatics is amenable to instruction but also unfold that the most frequently instructed speech act is the speech act of request which has been conducted in 29 studies, while the least instructed speech act is invitation, used in only one study. Moreover, analyzing the data collection methods documented that Multiple-choice Discourse Completion Test (MDCT) is the most predominant method utilized in 36 papers during the last decades in English pragmatic instruction. With respect to the treatment types, it is illuminated that the most recurrent treatment type is explicit, implicit vs. control, followed by explicit vs. implicit, although other treatment types have been embarked on. As a final point, it is worth noting that 53 of the conducted studies utilized the quantitative method in their data analyses, whereas only one study implemented the qualitative method. The paper concludes with some avenues for further research.

Constructing an emancipatory learning environment in Iranian English classes through dialogue journal writing as an educational tool

ABSTRACT This qualitative study applied dialogue journal writing to explore its effectiveness on language learning and critical literacy skills of 45 EFL students with the age range of 10–13 in an Iranian EFL context. Data analysis of 500 entries showed students’ emancipation from banking education constraints, their empowerment to voice, enhancement of motivation and positive feelings, as well as improvement of their linguistic competence. Based on the findings of this study, language teachers are suggested to use this educational tool to transform their pedagogy and enliven students’ language learning.