Gender and Science; an Examination of the Researches Accomplished in Iran and the World

“Gender and science” describes and clarifies the trend, quantity and quality of women’s attendance and status in scientific institutions. The main purpose of this article is to analyze the available researches on “women’s status in science” in Iran and other countries of the world. The studies accomplished outside of Iran are examined and presented in two general categories: historical studies and sociological feministic studies. In comparison with the numerous scientific and investigative efforts made throughout the world, there are just a few researches done on “women’s status in science” in Iran. These studies can be classified into two categories: 1) Studies examining the status of women’s participation in higher education and their socio-cultural consequences. 2. A few studies concentrating on women’s unequal share and discriminatory position in higher education institutions. The former is the most highlighted among the Iranian studies. In addition, a historical study regarding the examination of “women’s status in science” has not been traced or found in domestic researches. The survey altogether refers to the current of socio-cultural obstacles for women in achieving success and scientific and occupational positions whether in the social environment within the science or the social environment outside of the science. Some foreign researches also imply that culture and government play an essential role in removing or reducing the obstacles. The examination of the researches analyzed in this article also reveals some shortcomings in the scientific researches on women’s status in science, especially in Iran. Due to shortcomings and lack of research in this respect “it would be essential to accomplish scientific researches