equity

This study is an investigation of gender equity in the context of the General English Achievement Test developed and used at Islamic Azad University (Isfahan Branch, IRAN), henceforth IAUGEAT, with test takers majoring in different fields of study. A sample of 835 students sitting for IAUGEAT was chosen purposively. The test scores were analyzed by the one-parameter IRT model. A focus group interview (10 test developers and language teachers) was also used to inquire into their perceptions about the impact of test takers’ gender and major on test equity. The findings of the DIF analysis indicated a reciprocal action between item type and gender DIF as some items exhibited DIF across different subgroups. In three subgroups, they favored female students. In one subgroup, they favored males. In the other two subgroups, they favored males and females alike. The qualitative data obtained from the focus group interview further confirmed the results. In general, our findings strongly suggest that checking gender equity via a Rasch-model DIF analysis is both eminent and convergent with a qualitative evaluation of test-takers' performance by test developers and instructors.      

The Islamic Revolution, which is a breakthrough in the history of Iran, introduced some new concepts in the arena of national debate. Founded on Shi’ite political thought, this Revolution has in recent years followed a particular theory of justice that has its roots in Shi’ite doctrines, and this is evident in the ideas of Imam Khomeini (r) and the current Supreme Leader. While preserving its originality, the Shi’ite concept of justice has been subject to new readings befitting the requirements of each government. In spite of [continued] developments in the discourse on Shi’ite justice under various governments, Shi’ite principles of the concept of justice have nonetheless been kept intact in the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and this shows the presence of a complete theory in the field of political thought in the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

It has always been a challenging question for financial analysts, investors and activists in the capital market that what factors affect stock price of companies. Furthermore, how such factors cause stock price fluctuations over time in the capital markets. Therefore, the aim of this research is to determine the effects of key contingent variables such as changes on equity, credit rating and assets price growth on stock prices volatility of petroleum companies listed on Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE). Financial data for the purpose of this study were collected from a sample of 91 companies during a period of eight years from 1392 till 1399 and research hypotheses were tested using the multivariate regression models and ordering panel data with fixed effects tests. Results showed a significant negative relationship between credit rating and stock price volatility. But, there was no significant correlation between changes on equity and stock price volatility. Also, there was not a significant relationship between assets price growth and stock price volatility.