The Study of Audiences in dedication pages of Academic and seminary Theses Presented After the Islamic Revolution with Emphasis on Cultural and Communication Role

Theses are among the first-hand scientific and research resources that have a dedication page. The main purpose of this study is to examine the audience of dedication pages of the academic and seminary theses presented after the Islamic Revolution.

The research method was library one. Data were collected through observation and Note-taking of three important dissertation databases: IranDoc, Islamic Information and Documentation Center, and National Library and Archives of Iran. 522 dedication letters were collected from 600 dissertation titles related to 77 seminary and higher education centers. In terms of the number of higher education centers or seminaries studied, most centers are located in the provinces of Tehran (14), Isfahan (9) and Qom (8), and in terms of the number of dissertations, the most studied dissertations are related to higher education centers or seminaries in the provinces of Isfahan (162), Qom (130) and Tehran (117). About 99% of the studied dissertations were defended or presented between 1995 to 2015, 331 titles (63.41%) by men and 191 titles (36.59%) by women, 127 titles (24.33%) in the seminaries and 395 titles (75.67%) in the universities.

About 85% of the theses have the dedication page among which postgraduate and undergraduate theses are the most. Non-profit university theses, Payam-e-noor, and Public university theses have the most dedication pages, respectively. Most dedication pageshave two audiences; on average, each dedication is dedicated to three. Women have more audiences than men. About 6% of the dedications are related to the thesis topic. 72% of the audience is from family and relatives, with first degree relatives being mother (31.46%), father (29.58%), spouse (16.24%) and child (7.32%) respectively. 13% of the audience are Imams (AS), which are Imam Zaman (32.31%), Prophet Muhammad (13.33%), and Imam Ali (12.82%), respectively. About 15% of the dedications are also dedicated to other scientific, religious, cultural, social, political and other groups and personalities, such as professors, teachers (20.72%), martyrs (10.81%), Imam Khomeini and friends (9.01%) and scholars of the Islamic world (8.56%) are the most frequent. Mother (31.46%), father (29.58%), wife (16.24%) and child (7.32%), respectively, have the most relationship with the author. These results, while originating from the word of God and the Imams of the Infallibles (A.S.), as a positive culture respecting and appreciating the efforts of parents has been expressed as a religious, human and moral duty. It also shows the deep connection of children with parents in Iranian culture and families.

The thesis topic has less influence on the author's mind for dedicating the thesis. Honor and appreciation of the writers for the hard work of parents reflects the religious culture and deep connection of children with parents in Iranian families. The love of Imams (AS) and waiting for Appearance of Imam Mahdi are the concerns of the young scholars of Islamic Iran. In general, theses writers believe in the teachings of Islam, especially theology, and are interested in defending the values ​​of the Islamic Revolution (martyrs and leaders), and this is a very important spiritual and religious capital that the leaders of the Islamic community and their families should do their utmost to preserve, protect, and celebrate such ventures and to promote, honor these kinds of minds. Researchers can also develop and promote this cultural, religious, and social communication channel through in-depth scrutiny of the various aspects of dedications. Collecting, subject organizing, and disseminating dissertation dedicationscan also be effective in providing a template and encouraging students to write a dedication page as a vehicle for communication and expressing emotional and human emotions and creating vitality. Also, collecting, thematically arranging and publishing dissertation dedication pages can be effective in providing a model and encouraging students to write a dedication page as a vehicle for communication and expression of emotional and human feelings and creating vitality. This type of work is very effective in strengthening family relations and human as well as Islamic teachings.