Interlanguage Pragmatic Learning Strategies (IPLS) as Predictors of L2 Speech Act Knowledge : A Case of Iranian EFL Learners

Acknowledgments We acknowledge Golestan University that supported this study under grant number 992124. We are also grateful to the participants who took part in our study.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The Effect of Interactionist vs. Interventionist Models of Dynamic Assessment on L2 Learners’ Pragmatic Comprehension Accuracy and Speed

Various models of Dynamic Assessment (DA) have been used in L2 pragmatic instruction and have proved their significant contributions to pragmatic production; however, there is a paucity of research regarding their implementation for pragmatic comprehension. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the effects of interactionist and interventionist models of DA on the accuracy and speed of pragmatic comprehension among a convenience sample of 60 advanced EFL learners who were randomly assigned into two DA groups and a control group. A listening pragmatic comprehension test developed and validated by Garcia (2004) was used both as a pretest and as a posttest. During the 14-session treatment, the interactionist DA group received metapragmatic instruction about 28 conversations, and learners interacted with each other and the teacher. Assistance and scaffolding were continuously provided by the teacher as the more knowledgeable other (MKO) within the learners’ Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). The interventionist DA class received its treatment based on DA procedures as presented by Lantolf and Poehner (2010). However, the Non-DA group only received metapragmatic instruction about the conversations from the instructor without any DA-based intervention or interaction. Data analysis using one-way ANCOVA revealed that study groups differed in their pragmatic comprehension accuracy and speed: DA groups significantly outperformed the control group. The interventionist DA group did significantly better than the interactionist DA group for pragmatic accuracy but nor for pragmatic comprehension speed. The pedagogical implication of the study is that teachers can utilize interventionist and interactionist DA to foster learners’ pragmatic comprehension accuracy

The Contribution of General High-Frequency, Core-Academic, and Academic-Technical Words to ESP Reading Comprehension

Reading is recognized as being the most important skill needed by ESP learners in their field of study, and vocabulary knowledge is the most widely discussed component of effective ESP reading per se. However, research on how much the different types of words exert substantial influences over ESP reading comprehension remains scanty. To address this lacuna, the present study aimed to examine the degree of contribution made by general high-frequency, core-academic, and technical-academic words to 127 Iranian learners studying Psychology at three state universities in Tehran, Iran. Three researcher-made and validated tests were used to measure the three aforementioned types of vocabulary knowledge accompanied by an ESP reading test. Data analysis using multiple regression revealed that the core-academic words and technical-academic words significantly contributed to the ESP reading comprehension, explaining about 92% of the variance in reading scores, but knowledge of general high-frequency words was not a significant contributor. Moreover, teaching core-academic and technical-academic words did not have a significant effect on ESP reading comprehension in the short term, yet a low significant difference was observed for technical academic words in the long term. Findings of this study imply that direct teaching of the core-academic and technical-academic words can help ESP learners improve their reading over time. The article ends with pedagogical implications and suggestions for future research

Identification and evaluation of factors influencing outsourcing of activities: A case study of gas company of Mazandaran Province

Outsourcing as a simple and economic executive instrument is increasingly being used by interested managers of business and industrial organizations. But, they encounter some conceptual problems in this process. Unfortunately, studies on service outsourcing are scarce while there is significant research on using outsourcing for hard product activities. Main goal of present study is to investigate and prioritize factors influencing outsourcing of activities. Six hypotheses are proposed. Main variables consist of quality promotion, cost, specialization, importance of activities and outsourcing. Present research is a descriptive-survey-causal and applied study. Gas Company of Mazandaran Province and Suburb was selected as statistical population. Data collected using questionnaires and research hypotheses were analyzed using structural equation model and LISREL software. Finally, some recommendations were provided based on research hypotheses

Identification and evaluation of factors influencing outsourcing of activities: A case study of gas company of Mazandaran Province

Outsourcing as a simple and economic executive instrument is increasingly being used by interested managers of business and industrial organizations. But, they encounter some conceptual problems in this process. Unfortunately, studies on service outsourcing are scarce while there is significant research on using outsourcing for hard product activities. Main goal of present study is to investigate and prioritize factors influencing outsourcing of activities. Six hypotheses are proposed. Main variables consist of quality promotion, cost, specialization, importance of activities and outsourcing. Present research is a descriptive-survey-causal and applied study. Gas Company of Mazandaran Province and Suburb was selected as statistical population. Data collected using questionnaires and research hypotheses were analyzed using structural equation model and LISREL software. Finally, some recommendations were provided based on research hypotheses

Identification and evaluation of factors influencing outsourcing of activities: A case study of gas company of Mazandaran Province

Outsourcing as a simple and economic executive instrument is increasingly being used by interested managers of business and industrial organizations. But, they encounter some conceptual problems in this process. Unfortunately, studies on service outsourcing are scarce while there is significant research on using outsourcing for hard product activities. Main goal of present study is to investigate and prioritize factors influencing outsourcing of activities. Six hypotheses are proposed. Main variables consist of quality promotion, cost, specialization, importance of activities and outsourcing. Present research is a descriptive-survey-causal and applied study. Gas Company of Mazandaran Province and Suburb was selected as statistical population. Data collected using questionnaires and research hypotheses were analyzed using structural equation model and LISREL software. Finally, some recommendations were provided based on research hypotheses

Cultivating L2 Pragmatic Comprehension through Computerized vs. Non-Computerized Instruction, Multiuser Virtual Environments (MUVEs) and Mobile Augmented Reality Games (MARGs)

Pragmatic comprehension is a central albeit under-researched dimension of pragmatic competence in which most EFL learners suffer from serious deficiencies; therefore, the current study was launched to compare the effects of the Non-Computer Mediated Instruction (NCMI) with Computer-Mediated Instruction (CMI), Multiuser Virtual Environments (MUVEs), and Mobile Augmented Reality Games (MARGs) on Iranian EFL learners’ comprehension of English speech-acts. Moreover, this study attempted to cross-compare the effects of the implicit, explicit, and balanced combination of explicit and implicit instruction and synchronous vs. asynchronous CMI impacts on learners' speech-act pragmatic comprehension. Seven equal size groups of 20 upper-intermediate EFL learners took part in this study. Three NCMI groups (implicit, explicit, and balanced explicit-implicit), two synchronous and asynchronous CMI groups (SCMI & ACMI), one MUVE group, and a MARG group were taught based on their assigned 10 two-hour sessions treatments. A validated listening pragmatic comprehension test was used as a pretest and post-test. Data analysis using one-way ANCOVA showed that the utilised MUVE (OpenSim) was more effective than other types of treatments on learners’ pragmatic comprehension development, and both CMI and NMCI were also better than the used MARGs (Batman Bat-Tech Edition and Harry Potter-Wizards Unite). Moreover, those explicit and balanced explicit-implicit interventions were significantly better than the implicit instruction. Finally, the SCMI could enhance L2 pragmatic comprehension significantly better than the ACMI. These findings pedagogically imply the use of MUVEs, SCMI, and balanced explicit-implicit interventions can strengthen L2speech-act pragmatic comprehension

The impact of transformational leadership on public service motivation

In this study, the impact of transformational leadership on dimensions of public service motivation has been investigated among employees of 78 branches of banks in Semnan Province in Iran. Based on random sampling method, 286 employees completed multi-dimensional questionnaire of leadership measuring leadership style and a reviewed version of Perry & Wise (1990) questionnaire of public service motivation. The analysis of correlation analysis using SPSS software showed that there is a relationship between elements of transformational leadership and 3 dimensions of commitment to public interest, compassion, and self-sacrifice. Among elements of transformational leadership, 2 elements of inspirational leadership and individualized consideration had a more significant relationship with dimensions of public service motivation. Based on multiple regression results, 52 percents of changes in indexes of public service motivation is predictable by the elements of transformational leadership

Establishment Background and Factors Affecting the Success of Telemedicine Provision

Introduction: Today, access to healthcare is considered a major indicator of community health. Telemedicine technology is an opportunity to increase access and improve the quality of healthcare in a country's development of a healthcare system. The establishment of a telemedicine system and the provision of healthcare in this way require a proper infrastructure, and multiple factors must be considered. This study investigated the areas of establishing telemedicine and the factors affecting its success in the Health Department of Iran’s oil industry. Methods: This study is objective and analytical (non-experimental) and used the research-applied method to collect information. The statistic community included all professionals and personnel of the Health Department of Iran’s oil industry in 2014-2015. The establishment background and success factors of telemedicine provision were explored based on the study of 341 health experts and professionals. Data was analyzed by SPSS16 and Lisral Software. Results: The results show that both variables, i.e. establishment background (0.63) and organizational effectiveness factors (0.52), had a significant positive effect on the successful implementation of a telemedicine provision system. Furthermore, the factors of successful establishment of a telemedicine system (0.67) had a significant effect. Among the establishment background factors, financial structure (0.87) had the most significant effect on the successful establishment of a telemedicine system. Among the factors influencing success, organizational regulations and rules (0.83) were the most significant. Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study, it is clear that giving the same attention to the establishment background and organizational effectiveness factors will lead to the successful implementation of telemedicine. It is recommended that the managers and policy makers of the country's health sector use and implement telemedicine in other areas as well. With proper planning, this could lead to increased community access to health services, savings in human and financial resources in the healthcare system, and reduced healthcare costs