Social Sciences

Abstract The question of the role of social work in policy making and planning of social welfare can be one of the major debates about the future of social welfare system in our country. To answer any question in this regard, we have to deal with issues, such as the definition and goals of social work, social problems and their scope , different models of social welfare, and relevance of social work to social policy. This article aims at providing a comprehensive discussion to illustrate the appropriate position of social workers in policy making and formulating social welfare plans. Different parts of this discussion is mapped out as follows: 1- Definition, goals and different levels of social work activities; 2- Social problems and their scope; 3- Social policy and its domain; 4- Different models of social welfare; 5- A glance at social workers position in policy making and social planning, before and after the Islamic Revolution; 6- Concluding discussion.

Abstract University is a place of reasoning, learning and teaching of various socio - economic and cultural issues, leading to success and progress of people. Because of these opportunities, the higher education is interesting to young people. This article aims at surveying socio-economic factors influencing inclination towards higher education among students, in order to understand their motives, opinions, values, needs, and ideals for higher education. The method of this research was surveying, and the data was gathered by a questionnaire. Of the 6635 students in the Yazd University during 2001-2002, a sample of 350 were choosen for this study.

Abstract Pastoralism is founded on migration. Nevertheless, it leads to various problems an hardships. As a result, transhumance is replacing nornadism. While different aspects of nomadic migration is known via anthropological studies, transhurnancc migration is not investigated up to now. This article is based on a participatory research performed in accompaniment with two transhumant groups during their migration. In this article five aspects of transhumant migration is discussed including: migration route, group organization during migration, acceleration and halting in migratory movement, migration and transportation and beliefs related to migration. Finally, based on the writer's research findings pastoral migration is devided into several phases.

Abstract The main question of this research was determining variables affecting the performance of consumer cooperatives. The investigation was based on a theoretical framework leading to three hypotheses. The findings suggest that the progress and productivity of co-operatives correlate with twenty independent variables such as the type of rnangcment; capability, education and experience of managers; and the level of their social awareness, belief in and using of the principles of co-operatives, members' participation, self-sufficiency, and responsibility.

Abstract This study was conducted to determine the current job satisfaction level of the elementary school teachers in Tehran. The method of the study was survey research, and the data was collected by a questionnaire. A modified version of the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) was used. The sample included 400 elementary school teachers in district 1,11, and 16 of Tehran. A combination of systematic and cluster sampling was used. The results achieved in this research were as follows: 88.7% of the elementary school teachers surveyed indicated that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs, while 3.6% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. 7.7% indicated no opinion or no response. Of the 20 aspects of work measured by the MSQ, teachers only indicated dissatisfaction with the activity area. The two demographic variables of educational degree and teacher's intent to remain in the current position were found to be predictors of job satisfacion for teachers. The type of management, the level of achievement, relation with coleagucs, and working conditions were most related to the teachers' level of job satisfaction. On the centrory, teachers were least satisfied with the areas which included activity, moral values and the level of autonomy.