Iranian Journal of Sociology

Abstract Validity issues in phenomenological research are what this article investigates. Phenomenology is an attempt to enrich the world as it is experienced, and for its method -a mere emphasis on pure "description"- an alternative has been found, "to interpret" the experience. Descriptive phenomenology ensures that descriptions reflect the phenomenon as it was first experienced by the participants. Interpretive phenomenology, however, wants to determine the meanings of the phenomenon just as they appear in the participant's mind. In descriptive phenomenology, validity issues have been investigated in different ways: (1) a fundamental description of the phenomenon must be able to correctly capture the essence that has been intuited; (2) experts can be used to judge phenomenological analysis; (3) return to participants. In interpretative phenomenology, what is important is whether the phenomenological interpretations of meaning structures are valid, and the themes and the insights inferenced from the descriptions are appropriate and novel?

Abstract With a specific focus on youth non-governmental organizations in Isfahan province, this paper aims to demonstrate the way in which the NGOs, while maintaining their relationship with the government, ensure accountability not only to the government but also to their primary beneficiaries, namely, the society. This study utilized the grounded theory method and conducted in-depth interviews with 33 secretaries from youth centers in Isfahan province. The research findings reveal that NGOs uphold accountability towards various stakeholders through specific procedures. The multitude and variety of stakeholders' interests, which are often in conflict with each other, along with the constraints imposed by government agencies on NGOs, turns the process of floating the accountability into a strategy for creating a balance between the various axes of accountability and multiple layers of interests, and especially reserving downward accountability.

Abstract The main goal of this research is to understand the level of environmental responsibility of employees and its relationship with social capital in Borujen city. The theoretical basis of the research is based on Putnam's theory. The research method is a survey with a researcher-made questionnaire tool. The research findings show that the environmental attitude of employees has a significant difference with their environmental behavior. At the attitude level, about 96% of employees, their level of responsibility is medium to high (with an average of 18.3); while at the behavioral level, the responsibility of about 95% of them is medium to low (with an average of 12.5). Social capital has a positive and significant relationship with environmental responsibility. Social capital indicators including trust, participation, interactions and social support have a significant relationship with environmental responsibility. Strengthening environmental responsibility requires creating social interactions in the form of associations, friendly relations and relations with colleagues. The focus of these interactions should be to preserve the environment