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Predicament of identity in Iran: a qualitative meta-analysis of theoretical and empirical studies on identity

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Abstract

Identity is regarded as a theoretical and practical problematic issue constituting a large range of literature in social planning, political activities and cultural policy-making in the last decades. Thus, this study is to Meta-analyze three sorts of studies on identity in a distinctive perspective. These are: universal theories of identity, theoretical studies of identity in Iran and research studies on Iranian identity in Iranian academic sphere. The findings demonstrate that the sociological theories are more effective to discuss identity than other scientific fields. While the theoretical studies focused mainly on national level of identity, the empirical ones highlighted the sub-nation and global dimensions of identity. Most of studied researches employed constructivist approach. According to literature review of identity studies in Iran, the main sources of identity are the Persian language, Shiite religion, Islam, Oriental Culture, Oriental Mysticism, Modernity and National History. Generally, the sources of identity are diverse. The results indicate that the constitution of Iranian identity portrays a hybrid and synthetic texture in all levels.

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Acknowledgments

We warmly appreciate Martha Bloomfield, at Michigan Historical Museum, for her helpful editions, and constructive feedbacks in the process of preparing the final version of paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Bu Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

    Ahmad Mohammadpur

  2. Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

    Jalil Karimi

  3. Department of Sociology, Faculty of Humanities, Mazandaran University, Babolsar, Iran

    Karim Mahmoodi

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  1. Ahmad Mohammadpur
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  2. Jalil Karimi
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  3. Karim Mahmoodi
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Correspondence to Ahmad Mohammadpur.

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Mohammadpur, A., Karimi, J. & Mahmoodi, K. Predicament of identity in Iran: a qualitative meta-analysis of theoretical and empirical studies on identity. Qual Quant 48, 1973–1994 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-013-9875-8

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