Journal of Contemporary Social Science and Education Studies (JOCSSES) E-ISSN- 2785-8774

MORAL AND VALUE EDUCATION WITH CURRENT COMPARISON BETWEEN COUNTRIES FROM (2019-2025): A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS

Norapizah Zalani — 2025-09-04

This bibliometric study analyzes the research terrain of moral and value education between 2019 and 2025, leveraging data from the Scopus database to evaluate 37,141 documents associated with value education. The research utilized systematic search methods and bibliometric approaches to examine publication patterns, author output, institutional connections, and global collaboration trends in moral education studies. Findings indicate a notable rise in research productivity, with 2024 exhibiting the peak activity (7,721 documents, 21% of total), trailed by 2023 (5,663 documents, 15%) and 2025 (5,084 documents, 14%). The analysis highlights major contributors such as Ramírez-Montoya, M.S. (29 publications), Leal Filho, W. (22 publications), and Pomelov, V.B. (18 publications) as the leading authors in the discipline. Geographically, the United States leads with 7,676 documents (21%), followed by the United Kingdom (3,526 documents, 9%), China (2,224 documents, 6%), and Australia (2,274 documents, 6%), showing a research corpus that is globally distributed yet dominated by the West. Co-occurrence analysis uncovers interrelated research clusters covering educational methods, technology incorporation, health investigations, and clinical research, with human-centered studies acting as the common thread. Citation network analysis highlights China's pivotal position in global research partnerships, whereas co-authorship trends showcase closely connected academic communities, especially noticeable in Brazilian research networks. The results enhance comprehension of the changing realm of moral education studies, emphasizing patterns in cross-disciplinary cooperation, technological incorporation, and the growing worldwide involvement in values-centered educational research

THE ATTITUDES, GRATIFICATION, PATTERNS AND PURPOSES OF USING INSTAGRAM AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Toktam Namayandeh Joorabchi — 2025-09-04

Instagram is a prominent social media platform among Generation Z in Iran, with users dedicating significant time daily to scrolling and accumulating numerous hours weekly. This study aims to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the effects of gratification, attitudes, and purposes associated with Instagram use among Iranian students. We conducted in-depth interviews with 25 students from Ferdowsi University in Mashhad, Iran, who are active Instagram users. The objective was to explore how gratification, attitudes, and usage purposes influence students' engagement with Instagram. Findings indicate that students derive satisfaction from using Instagram, fulfilling various needs. Their attitudes towards Instagram usage are both positive and negative, reflecting diverse purposes. Students' interests vary widely, leading them to follow pages that align with their preferences. The study also discusses the broader implications of these findings.

“LIVING WITH AI”: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF STUDENT ETHICAL EXPERIENCES AND PERSPECTIVES

Sri Andayani Binti Mahdi Yusuf — 2025-09-04

This qualitative study explores students' ethical perspectives and decision-making processes regarding artificial intelligence integration in academic contexts through semi-structured interviews with 20 undergraduate and graduate students across multiple disciplines. The research reveals that students encounter complex ethical dilemmas involving transparency, dependency concerns, and equity issues while developing sophisticated multi-principled frameworks that balance utilitarian and deontological considerations to distinguish between AI use that enhances versus replaces learning. Key findings indicate that disciplinary norms, inconsistent institutional policies, peer community negotiations, and personal values significantly influence students' perceptions of appropriate AI use, with participants employing strategies such as boundary-setting, proactive transparency, and outcome-focused evaluation to navigate tensions between leveraging AI capabilities and maintaining academic integrity. The study demonstrates that students are capable of nuanced ethical reasoning about AI use and are actively constructing community-based norms in the absence of clear institutional guidance, suggesting that effective AI governance in higher education requires collaborative approaches that support peer-driven ethics development, address equity concerns related to AI access, and evolve traditional academic integrity frameworks to focus on authentic learning outcomes rather than process restrictions. These findings contribute to understanding how students construct ethical frameworks for emerging technologies and provide crucial insights for developing comprehensive, context-sensitive AI ethics policies that balance innovation with educational integrity in higher education settings.

“FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT” : A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY ON RECOVERY FROM DEPRESSION WITHOUT MEDICATION

Siti Rohayu Mustapha — 2025-09-04

The majority of people with depression still use pharmaceutical therapies, but many find relief through more natural means. On the other hand, phenomenological studies of people who manage their recovery without medicine are few and few between. This study set out to investigate the subjective transformation and meaning-making processes of depressed people who were able to recover from their illness without the need for pharmaceutical intervention. With the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), a qualitative phenomenological investigation was carried out with twelve individuals who had overcome severe depression without medicinal intervention. We used systematic IPA processes to analyse semi-structured interviews with participants, which lasted 30–50 minutes, and we looked for patterns and themes in their experiences. Analysed were four main themes: (1) The Journey Inward, developing self-awareness and understanding; (2) Connection and Community, the healing power of connections; (3) Embodied Healing, integrating mind, body, and spirit; and (4) Meaning-making and post-traumatic growth. Through embodied activities, genuine relationship development, self-discovery, and the incorporation of their depression experience into a larger narrative of personal progress, participants portrayed recovery as an all-encompassing metamorphosis. Without medicine, overcoming depression is a difficult and multi-stage process that requires not just the alleviation of symptoms but also deep personal growth in areas such as relational skills, perspective taking, and finding purpose in life. A person's ability for self-awareness, genuine connection, embodied healing, and meaning-making should be supported by effective non-pharmaceutical techniques, according to the findings. Implications for creating more holistic, individualized treatments for depression that respect different routes to health are substantial in light of these findings.

EXAMINING HOW RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION, POLITICAL VIEWS, MEDIA CONSUMPTION, AND GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION INFLUENCE SOCIAL TOLERANCE LEVELS

Husam Abdulhameed Hussein — 2025-09-04

This study examines the multifaceted relationships between religious affiliation, political ideology, media consumption patterns, geographic location, and social tolerance levels in contemporary society. Using a quantitative approach with SPSS analysis of survey data from 2,847 participants across diverse demographic groups, this research investigates how these four key variables independently and collectively influence attitudes toward social diversity, minority rights, and cultural pluralism. The findings reveal significant correlations between conservative religious affiliations and lower tolerance scores (r = -.342, p < .001), while liberal political orientations demonstrate positive associations with tolerance measures (r = .418, p < .001). Media consumption patterns show differential effects, with social media usage correlating with decreased tolerance (r = -.289, p < .001) and traditional news media showing positive correlations (r = .267, p < .001). Geographic analysis reveals substantial urban-rural divides, with metropolitan areas demonstrating significantly higher tolerance scores (M = 4.23, SD = 0.87) compared to rural regions (M = 3.41, SD = 1.12). Multiple regression analysis indicates that these four variables collectively explain 47.3% of the variance in social tolerance scores (R² = .473, F (4,2842) = 637.45, p < .001). These findings contribute to understanding the complex determinants of social cohesion and have implications for policy development, educational initiatives, and community building efforts in increasingly diverse societies.

THE ROLE OF CULTURAL IDENTITY AND LANGUAGE MOTIVATION IN MALAYSIAN STUDENTS' INTENTION TO USE ONLINE LANGUAGE LEARNING TOOLS

A. Jailani Che Abas — 2025-09-04

This study examines the impact of cultural identity and language motivation on Malaysian students' intention to utilize online language learning tools. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 385 Malaysian university students through a structured questionnaire measuring cultural identity strength, language learning motivation, and behavioral intention to use online language learning platforms. The study employed the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) integrated with Self-Determination Theory and Cultural Identity Theory. Multiple regression analysis revealed that cultural identity (β = 0.342, p < 0.001) and intrinsic motivation (β = 0.398, p < 0.001) significantly predicted students' intention to use online language learning tools, explaining 68.5% of the variance in behavioral intention. The findings indicate that students with stronger cultural identity demonstrate higher motivation to learn languages online, particularly for heritage language preservation and English proficiency enhancement. This research contributes to understanding the intersection of cultural factors and technology adoption in language education, providing insights for educators and policymakers in developing culturally responsive online language learning programs in Malaysia's multicultural context.

FAKE NEWS AND MISINFORMATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF DETECTION AND IMPACT STUDIES

İsmail Rakıp Karaş — 2025-09-04

The proliferation of fake news and misinformation on digital platforms has become one of the most pressing challenges of the digital age, significantly impacting public discourse, democratic processes, and societal trust. This systematic literature review (SLR) examines the current state of research on fake news detection and its societal impacts, analyzing studies published between 2020 and 2024. Following PRISMA guidelines, this review synthesizes findings from computational detection methods, psychological and social impact studies, and intervention strategies. The analysis reveals three dominant research themes: (1) Computational Detection and Machine Learning Approaches, (2) Psychological and Social Impact Studies, and (3) Platform-based and Intervention Strategies. Our findings indicate that while significant advances have been made in automated detection using deep learning and natural language processing techniques, challenges remain in cross-domain generalization, multimodal content analysis, and addressing the psychological factors that drive misinformation consumption and sharing. This review contributes to the understanding of fake news as a multifaceted phenomenon requiring interdisciplinary approaches for effective mitigation.

A SURVEY-BASED STUDY OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND LONELINESS AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

Mohd Faizal Hassan — 2025-09-04

This study investigates the relationship between social media use and loneliness among young adults aged 18-25. A cross-sectional survey design was employed to collect data from 450 participants using validated instruments, including the UCLA Loneliness Scale and a modified Social Media Use Questionnaire. Statistical analysis using SPSS revealed a significant positive correlation between problematic social media use and loneliness levels (r = .342, p < .001). Multiple regression analysis indicated that passive social media consumption and social comparison behaviors were significant predictors of loneliness, explaining 23.6% of the variance in loneliness scores. Active engagement and meaningful social connections through social media platforms showed protective effects against loneliness. The findings suggest that the quality and nature of social media interactions, rather than mere usage frequency, are crucial determinants of psychological well-being among young adults. These results have important implications for mental health interventions and digital literacy programs targeting this demographic.

ELEVATING TEACHING EFFECTIVENESS IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT-DRIVEN FACULTY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PEDAGOGY

Ace N. Bombaes — 2025-09-04

The study investigates teaching evaluation in a Tourism and Hospitality Management Program, focusing on integrating sustainable development pedagogy aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using qualitative faculty surveys and guided by the Danielson Framework for Teaching, it examines current practices, faculty perceptions, and sustainability integration. Findings reveal evaluations are viewed positively for professional growth but highlight the need to embed sustainability more effectively. Four key areas emerged: identifying strengths and weaknesses, promoting constructive feedback, encouraging diverse teaching strategies, and fostering reflective practices post-evaluation. The study emphasizes that combining a well-structured evaluation framework with sustainability-focused professional development can enhance teaching quality and promote responsible education. Its unique application of the Danielson Framework stresses sustainability’s role in tourism education and innovative post-evaluation reflection for continuous improvement aligned with SDGs.

ACADEMIC BURNOUT AMONG ADOLESCENTS: RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS, PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS, AND PARENTING STYLES

Lee Yee Ling — 2025-09-04

Academic burnout is a state of stress, exhaustion and disengagement caused by prolonged academic pressure and study load. Academic burnout negatively impacts school students both academically and psychologically. Many factors contribute to academic burnout among students but research on parent-child relationships and parenting styles is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between student demographics, parent-child relationships and parenting styles on academic burnout among secondary school students. 92 Grade 7 to Grade 9 students from a school in Chongqing Province, China completed an online questionnaire about academic burnout. Data was analysed during descriptive and inferential statistics. The research findings showed that there was no difference in academic burnout based on the students’ gender, single-child status, urban/rural living area, single parent household, father’s education level, and mother’s education level. Parent-child relationships were a predictor of academic burnout but not parenting style. This study suggests that a positive parent-child relationship can help students cope with academic burnout.

ASSESSMENT OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT THROUGH DRAWING OBSERVATION: A CASE STUDY

Nurhana Sabri — 2025-09-04

This study was conducted to assess the development of preschool children through visual art activities, specifically drawing, as a form of assessment. Drawing is often regarded as an important medium for self-expression in early childhood education. However, children are sometimes faced with challenges in using art tools and materials correctly during such activities. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate and identify a child's potential based on drawings produced, focusing on four main developmental domains: fine motor skills, cognitive ability, creativity, and communication. This qualitative case study involved one preschooler as the subject. Observation and interview methods were used for data collection. Three drawings themed “Keluarga Saya,” “Rumah Saya,” and “Lukisan Bebas” were analysed using a checklist and rating scale instruments. The analysis revealed that the preschooler demonstrated good development in fine motor skills and communication abilities, while creativity and conceptual understanding were at a moderate level but showed strong potential for improvement. The findings also indicated that emotional factors, social relationships, and parental support significantly influenced the child’s drawing outcomes and self-expression. This study recommends that preschool teachers implement the Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach in visual art activities to provide more space for meaningful self-exploration. Future studies may focus on the development of a standardized visual art assessment rubric or explore the relationship between interest in art activities and socio-emotional development in children.