A Comparative Study of Academic Performance of The Male and Female Students in 35 Iranian Universities

The main problem that this paper addresses concerns the socio-cultural changes in contemporary Iran that are claimed to be determined by the variable of sex and that a large part of this effect can be observed in the growing scientific activities of female students. Despite the importance of gender composite of the students and the formation of new scientific forces and the consequent effect of it in developmental planning of the country, little if any attention has been paid to these changes. The paper uses the results of a survey research in which 16539 students from 35 national universities in Iran were surveyed in 2001-2002 to show the differential performance of female and male students. In order to show the socio-cultural changes that support the above changes, the paper uses the articulation of cultural modes theory while using the data gathered from a survey research among 1200 samples in the city of Tehran. In addition, a statistical analysis is used to indicate that the difference between male and female students in obtaining differential grades is statistically meaningful and is not accidental. This paper uses the results of two surveys that were done within one package of research project. The findings are discussed as follows: 1- Obtaining differential grades among university students depends upon the variable of sex. The mean grade obtained by female students is higher than the grades obtained by male students. 2- Obtaining grades by male and female students is a valid index that can be used to evaluate the direction of socio-cultural changes in contemporary Iran, 3- Studying the elements of this direction is a powerful tool for understanding the changes in future of human resources and the situation occupation in Iran.