Standardization

This paper is an attempt to shed light on the effects of modernization, urbanization, monolingual educational system, and mass media as well as the process of globalization on dialect leveling among Persian dialects. In so doing, the first part of the paper elaborates on the relationship between globalization and sociolinguistics, and on the concept of standardization. Also, it discusses some factors accelerating dialect leveling among Persian dialects. The second part of the paper presents some empirical evidence for the change, based on the data collected from 3 Persian dialects, namely: Birjandi, Neyshaboori, and Yazdi. Three spoken language sample corpora from two age cohort groups in each speech community were collected. Having transcribed the data, the researchers juxtaposed the phonological, morphological, and syntactic conventions of the two groups of each speech community for further in-depth analysis. Comparing the speech samples of the two age cohorts in each corpus revealed significant movements towards standard dialect. However, the quality and quantity of the observed movements did not appear to be the same across the dialects in question.

Purpose: Considering the role and importance of passion in elementary students, the present study was conducted with the aim of constructing and standardizing passion quotient test in elementary students. Methodology: This study was a descriptive from type of correlation. The population of this research was elementary students in District 5 of Tehran city in the academic year of 2019-20, which number of 500 people of them was selected as a sample by multi-step cluster sampling method. For passion quotient was prepared a researcher-made test (20 items) and its psychometric indices were examined. For this purpose, the content validity of the instrument was calculated by opinion experts, its structural validity was calculated by exploratory factor analysis by principal components method and its reliability was calculated by Cronbach's alpha and combined methods. For analyze data were used from SPSS-25 and LISREL-8.8 statistical software. Findings: The results showed that the content validity of the instrument was confirmed by opinion experts and its construct validity by factor analysis method indicated the existence of four factors of interest, sensation seeking, focus and intimacy in relationships. The reliability of total and factors of interest, sensation seeking, focus and intimacy in relationships with Cronbach's alpha method were calculated 0.94, 0.88, 0.70, 0.90 and 0.71, respectively and with combined method were calculated 0.96, 0.90, 0.88, 0.91 and 0.83, respectively. Conclusion: Passion quotient test with four factors of interest, sensation seeking, focus and intimacy in relationships had good validity and reliability. Therefore, it can be used to investigate and measure the passion quotient of elementary students to plan to improve their passion and motivation.

The present study was based on research findings designed to identify the characteristics of an independent learner in a distance education system and to develop a standardized test to measure the characteristics and skills of an independent learner in a distance education system with e- learning. Based on the theoretical foundations of the research and the background of previous studies, while identifying the characteristics of an independent learner, a tool was developed under the name of “Independent Learner’s Characteristics Test (ILCT) in the distance education system with e-learning”, and the reliability of the factors of each item in the tool was measured and standardized using the exploratory factor analysis method. The present study, also, discussed and scrutinized the development and standardization of ILCT. The present study is an applied research which uses both field and documentary methods. It was carried out with a mixed method with quantitative and qualitative strategies. In order to develop and standardize ILCT, the characteristics of motivation, intelligence, and emotional intelligence were selected and evaluated as necessary characteristics of a learner from among other characteristics using the Delphi method according to the views of experts and professionals of educational and cognitive psychology sciences. Data on each characteristic was collected using available standardized questionnaires2. The questionnaires were prepared electronically in the form of a “temporary website of the questionnaire” and the website URL was provided to the virtual students of the Payame Noor University. A total of 452 postgraduate e-students studying at Payame Noor University of Iran answered the questions. The results were analyzed using SPSS (21.0), STATISTICA (8.0) and LISREL (8.7) softwares using an appropriate statistical method. In the end, the final test based on extracted results and standardization of the items was introduced under the name of “Independent Learner’s Characteristics Test (ILCT) in the distance education system with e-learning” for use by learners, teachers, planning authorities, content producers, etc. in distance education systems

Objective: The quality of a marital relationship is one of the essential factors in assessing the quality and satisfaction of marriage. This study aimed to validate and standardize the Relationship Quality (RQ) questionnaire. Method: The method of this research in terms of basic-applied purpose and type of cross-sectional-descriptive information collection and methodology is part of the test-making studies that have been done in a correlational research project. The statistical population of this study included all couples in Ardabil. The final sample consisted of 165 married individuals selected by snowball sampling and available. The research instruments included the Relationship Quality (RQ) of Chonodi et al. (2016), The Marital Satisfaction Scale (MSS), and the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMS) by Schum, Nichols, Shachtman, and Grigsby (1983). Results: The results showed that the Relationship Quality (RQ) has a goodness of fit in the Iranian population and highly correlates with marital satisfaction. Discussion and Conclusion: The findings showed that the Relationship Quality (RQ) can powerfully identify the quality of couples' communication and can be used in research and clinical work to measure the quality of communication and interference in the relationship.

This review article examines the underpinning of the little-researched, influential elements that create linguistic injustice in the specific contexts of linguistic imperialism through standardization. To this end, with a review of critical views that includes argumentation and discussion of theoretical and empirical studies, we further aim to highlight linguistic injustice in writing for publishing. The domination of the English language as a lingua academia has not happened neutrally and can create unjust and unequal situations. In knowledge construction, the prosperity of researchers and academics is tied to international publication, and this action supports globalization, individualism, and standardization in favor of native English users. The domination of the English language in academic settings may be a hegemonic practice of native Anglophones to maintain power.  In this review, we underline the possibilities for privileged communities to pinpoint linguistic inequality and injustice.  The nature of academia should be liberal and liberating; however, in reality, academic settings are politically partisan and at the service of the powerful and wealthy. Still, there is slim hope that the system can change, and one of such profound changes may happen with equal access to resources and mentors for marginalized communities. In this case, the minorities’ voices may also be heard and respected globally.