Proceedings of the International Conference on Social Sciences

LITERATURE REVIEW ANALYSIS OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY IN ONLINE EXAMINATIONS DUE TO TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT: THE CASE OF DOWNLOADING AND HACKING OF ANSWERS.

Agnes Korir , Mabel Odima — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Online teaching and learning are an appropriate alternative for sustained continuity, in case of interrupted learning by pandemics or crises. It has been faced with multiple challenges of dishonesty that has intensified due to technological advancement and the smartness of youth in technology. The focus of this paper is on the literature review analysis on the case of downloading and hacking of the exams that has become a norm with online examination administration. The objective of the paper is to investigate the incidence of downloading of answers with online invigilation measures available. It also seeks to confirm whether exams are hacked into prior to the examination hour and with what effects on the overall class performance. Literature review analysis through desktop research was conducted by examining cross cutting publications on the topic. Special focus evolved around studies that were done from the pandemic in the year 2020 to date, when the unpreparedness for instructors was high and the tension with the learners so critical. Qualitative research was used in the study.

It is assumed remotely that as the adjustment took place and instructors were equipped, things may have improved for the better. With standardized agreed upon technological interventions, instructors can help reduce the incidences of online academic dishonesty in examinations. Recommendations have been made to educate online instructors on the keenness required to achieve integrity in exam participation by learners who will in turn apply the same in life.

EFFECT OF JOB STRESS ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF SRI LANKA

D.P. Gayan Madhusanka Wijesooriya — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Job stress is the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. Compared to other universities, the Open University has most students who are engaged in various professional careers. In the context of Open and Distant Learning (ODL), Open university students has become a problem to manage their work stress balance while studying. The purpose of this research is to sociologically study the effect of job stress on the academic performance of the university among undergraduate students at the Open University of Sri Lanka. This study further aims to present the causes of job stress as well as the measures to be taken to control and prevent it. This study is quantitative research and used a questionnaire to collect data. In identifying the sample selected for the research on the effect of job stress on the academic performance of the university among undergraduate students of the Open University of Sri Lanka, the Department of Social Studies was selected for the sample among the departments of the Open University of Sri Lanka. This study was conducted through a non-random sample as a judgmental sample of 40 employed students from the B.A. in Social Sciences degree program’s student population. Using employed students for this study, Participants who reported experiencing higher levels of job stress had lower grades and academic achievement compared to those who reported lower levels of job stress. Most of the participants reported experiencing moderate to high levels of job stress, which was found to be negatively impacted by factors such as workload, job demands, and work-life balance. Here, some suggestions for the control and prevention of job stress were presented through this study. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the negative impact of job stress on academic performance.

ISSUES FACED BY THE AGING LESBIAN AND GAY COMMUNITY IN SRI LANKA

H.P.S. Dilshani — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Homosexuals (lesbians and gays) are an important social sex group that garners national and international attention from a range of perspectives. The main purpose of this study is to examine the issues confronting Sri Lanka's aging lesbian and gay community. The study was based on a qualitative research design, and the snowball sampling method was used to identify respondents as older lesbians and gays, as they are one of the hidden groups in society. The qualitative sample consisted of 20 persons, including two lesbians (02) and eighteen (18) gay persons who were aged 60 years and over. The data were analyzed using thematic and content analysis. It is a notable characteristic that these respondents form friends far from their family, siblings, and parents. These friendships are between 3–4 people. As they are unmarried, they have lived alone because of separation from their parents, a lack of marriage, and a lack of children. They have become excluded from society because they have been marginalized, neglected, and hampered by it. It has been confirmed that 16 respondents suffer from financial shortages in old age because they do not save money or invest. In addition, lesbians are experiencing financial pressure due to lower incomes than gay men. Most respondents were found to have illnesses such as high cholesterol and diabetes. They know about sexually transmitted diseases, but a large proportion of them don't know how to prevent them. Another point raised is that healthcare providers suffer from discrimination when accessing health services. Lack of financial resources, lack of health insurance, economic insecurity, and discrimination are facing challenges in care, while 18 respondents identified a significant need for institutionalized care. According to the conclusions reached through the analysis, due to the social, economic, health, and care problems faced by this lesbian and gay elderly community, focus on institutional care and implement programs to educate the general public, health care professionals, and employees of public and private institutions about them and HIV prevention. And it is timely that this community is participating effectively in counseling programs.

A PSYCHOLOGYCAL STUDY OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHILD HARASSMENT AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN TEENAGERS

T.M. Poorni Bhagya — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Child harassment is a severe problem affecting many children in Sri Lankan society. Child abuse can have a significant Impact on the mental and emotional health of the victim, with depression being one of the most common side effects. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of child harassment on depression and to identify the factors associated with depression among victims of child harassment between January 2023 and June 2023 a total of 80 patients attend Kalutara District Hospital psychiatric clinic a depressive symptoms were exhibited between the age of 14 – 18 years 22 children were used as the research sample exploratory findings on child abuse and depression were possible in those who reported child abuse, despite medical literature served as their primary source. Result indicated that the prevalence of depression was significantly higher among individuals who reported experience in child harassment compared to those who also reported harassment severity and frequency as factors the importance of depression in the victims. The study also found that social support played a protective role in reducing the negative impact of child harassment on depression. The findings of this study provide important insight into the long - term effects of child harassment on mental health and highlight the need for early victim identification and intervention emphasize. The study also highlights the importance of social support in preventing and reducing the negative impact of child harassment on mental health.

GARMENT SECTOR OF BANGLADESH: VULNERABILITIES OF FEMALE WORKERS

Prianka Datta — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530

The Readymade Garment (RMG) industry, contributing to 83% of Bangladesh's total export earnings, is a critical economic pillar. The sector offers employment opportunities for women who come from low-income backgrounds, making up about 80% of its workforce. Though the RMG industry brings noticeable socioeconomic changes for these women, their plight underscores the high cost of these gains. Female workers in this industry face numerous challenges, such as inadequate wages, unsafe working conditions, and gender-based discrimination, that adversely impact their physical and mental health. Using a qualitative research approach, this paper explores these vulnerabilities. The author visited three garment factories in Ashulia, Dhaka, observed the factories' working environments, and conducted group discussions and one-on-one interactions with 17 female workers. Moreover, a comprehensive review of secondary sources, such as recent literature, blog articles, and news reports, supplemented primary data collection. The author employed a thematic analysis of the gathered data and literature review, which reveals an industry marked by persistent job insecurities, inadequate transportation facilities, health hazards, and societal stigmas that predominantly affect female workers. The findings underline widespread workplace vulnerabilities, including physical and verbal abuse, hazardous working conditions, and gender-specific discrimination, with pregnancy-related discrimination being particularly noteworthy. The paper concludes with recommendations to mitigate these issues, emphasizing the shared responsibility of various stakeholders, including the Bangladesh government, the RMG sector, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and global clothing and fashion brands. The proposed recommendations comprise updating work standards, improving worker privileges such as increasing wages and transport facilities, ensuring building safety, and offering skill development opportunities. Implementing these measures can improve workers' facilities, augment productivity, and ensure sustainability in the success of Bangladesh's garment sector.

FIELD OFFICERS' ADAPTATION TO LABOUR ADMINISTRATION ELECTRONIC CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN SRI LANKA

TANALI DILUSHIKA SAMARASINGHE, Ginige TNDS, Abeygunawardana RAB — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Adapting an information system by its intended users is compulsory for the success of that information system. This study focuses on the Labour administration, one of the most critical public functions in any country that secures enforcing the legal provisions relating to work conditions and workers' protection. Labour Administration Electronic Case Management System (LAECMS) is an information system that facilitates labour administration. LAECMS helps and aids field officers in their routine inspection activities. Although, the problem is that field officers' adaptation level is considerably low towards LAECMS in Sri Lanka. That is the motivation behind this systematic review to find associations between the most widely affected characteristics and adaptation. Most of the currently published literature only discusses system-side adaptation. This study bridges the gap by prioritizing user-side adaptation and considering the relevant characteristics. This study relied on a sample of 220 field officers of the Department of Labour (DoL) Sri Lanka. This research investigates the associations between seven primary factors extracted through the reviewed relevant literature and adaptation by using mainly non-parametric tests. The findings of the analysis revealed that digital competency, senior management support, legal framework, user training, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use associated with field officers’ adaptation to LAECMS. Among the investigated determinants, user training and perceived usefulness appear to have the most significant association with adaptation. Among them, the impact was strongest in perceived usefulness. Nevertheless, the field officers’ age, gender, and work experience did not associate with their adaptation to LAECMS. The findings of this study would be helpful for the labour law enforcing institutes in any country to understand the successful adaptation to LAECMS has its advantages for the organization as well as for the field officers.

EXPLORING THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF SOCIAL WORKERS DEALING WITH DEAF CLIENTS

Marie Rose Berjame — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530

: Social Workers deal with diverse client including deaf individuals. However, dealing with deaf clients can be challenging, especially for new social workers without much experience with this type of client. The study was conducted to explore the lived experiences of social workers in dealing with deaf clients. It involved four social workers with experience dealing with deaf clients for at least 3 years and working in Cagayan de Oro City. This study employed Creswell's Simplified Version of Moustaka’s adaptation of the Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen Method of Phenomenological Analysis. The data analysis procedure involved bracketing of experience, horizontalizing the data, clustering of meanings, writing a textural description and structural description of the experiences of the participants, and writing the essence of collective experience. Four themes emerged in the study namely; Walking through client behavior; Dealing with client management issues; Employing client-centered strategies; and Providing meaningful services. These identified themes emphasize the complex nature of interactions between social workers and deaf clients. It shows how social workers wok hard to understand and connect with the deaf clients, revealing a potential gap in education and information on effectively addressing this unique client group. The study highlights critical need for specialized training, ongoing professional development, and a deepened cultural competence among social workers engaging with the deaf community. The insights gained from this study pave the way for the enhancement of social work curricula, training programs, and support structures, ensuring that future practitioners are equipped with the skills, insights, and sensitivity required to forge meaningful connections and provide effective, client-centered services.