FOREWORD

Editor’s Foreword and Introduction to Vol. 5 (2) Dec. 2023

I would like to welcome you to Horizon Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research’s concluding issue of 2023. JHSSR (eISSN 2682-9096) is a peer-reviewed open access and broad-scope scholarly journal that aims at bringing innovative research to both academics and practicing professionals. It is published rapidly by BP Services. Find out more here.

The journal is independently owned, and runs on a not-for-profit basis for the benefit of the world-wide social science community.

Original articles of archival value covering research and development topics, which span all areas of humanities and social sciences, are published by this journal. In addition to new advances in traditional and more established areas of humanities and social sciences, we strive to include findings on both emerging and interdisciplinary issues.

Welcome to the latest issue of the Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (JHSSR), Volume 5, Issue 2. This edition comprises a diverse collection of 16 articles, encapsulating a broad spectrum of topics and research methodologies.

The issue kicks off with a compelling Letter to the Editor, which champions the idea that principled protests and conscientious dissents are indispensable pillars of democracy. In an era marked by the rise of authoritarianism and religious nationalism, the author argues for the urgent need to challenge policies and laws that stifle progressive voices, emphasizing the role of intellectuals and citizens in upholding freedom of expression. This author has used Letter to the Editor as a veritable tool to VOICE against oppression. Only a live fish swims against the current.

Professor Nayan Kanwal, Chief Executive Editor, provides a thought-provoking editorial on the Impact of ChatGPT on the Transformation of Research. This piece delves into the revolutionary influence of ChatGPT, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 architecture, in reshaping research practices across various disciplines. While acknowledging the transformative potential of ChatGPT, the editorial also highlights the ethical considerations, biases, and data privacy concerns associated with its adoption.

Further enriching this issue are two invited articles from our esteemed International Advisory Board members. Dr. Rosenna Bakari explores the effectiveness of a social media support page, Talking Trees, in engaging adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. This research challenges conventional approaches by offering a solution-oriented perspective, contributing to the journal’s aim of showcasing innovative research that advances critical analysis.

Distinguished Professor Dr. Kirpal Singh’s article delves into the intricate interplay between language and society, shedding light on the risks associated with weaponizing language. This discussion expands the scope to consider language as an equally potent force, emphasizing the need for responsible linguistic practices.

In addition to these thought-provoking pieces, the issue features nine research articles, two opinion pieces, and a concept article. Authors hailing from 12 different countries, including Bangladesh, Canada, China, India, Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Singapore, Thailand, the USA, and Vietnam, have contributed to this truly international journal.

This remarkable statistic of varied geographical background clearly shows that this journal is truly an international journal with diverse authorship as well as editorship.

Of particular note is a research article addressing the transformation of opium poppy cultivation to Arabica coffee production in Thailand. This study offers a balanced narrative, moving beyond a one-sided perspective to explore the economic rationality of farmers in transitioning to coffee cultivation, shedding light on the social implications of this shift.

Another significant article focuses on teacher turnover intention and the Two-factor Theory in the context of a private university in China. With the private educational sector expanding globally, this research contributes to understanding factors influencing teacher job satisfaction and dissatisfaction, offering insights into education management and organizational behaviour.

A study examining multidimensional foreign language anxiety among Chinese EFL tertiary students provides valuable insights into the dynamic nature of language anxiety. The findings underscore the interrelatedness of skill-specific anxieties and suggest the need for differentiated instruction to sustain quality EFL instruction in China.

An analysis of rhetorical strategies in job application letters by Indigenous People and Cebuano applicants in Mindanao, Philippines, sheds light on unique communication styles and cultural nuances. This research contributes to the discourse on cross-cultural communication and offers practical implications for improving recruitment processes.

This article by Kirti Saxena’s Research on COVID-19’s Impact on Mental Health explores the impact of COVID-19 on the intolerance of uncertainty and cognitive flexibility among undergraduate dental and medical students. The findings provide valuable insights that universities and related agencies can leverage to implement interventions, nurturing the mental health of students preparing to become health professionals.

Investigating environmental sustainability education in preschool through STEM project-based learning, this article details action research conducted in a Chengdu, China preschool. Employing Lilian Katz’s Project Approach, the study underscores the importance of child-centered, inquiry-driven, and process-oriented STEM modules. The research demonstrates how such modules engage children in investigating, deepening their understanding of trees, fostering experimentation and innovation, and enhancing self-learning abilities.

This research by Ameer Ali et al.’s Study on Hate Speech as a Criminal Act postulates that hate speech should be legally addressed as a criminal act. Focusing on a minority community in Pakistan, the study rigorously explores the human rights situation and the role of social media platforms as tools for propagating hate speech. Readers will find this study insightful in understanding how speech can be criminalized and its impact on minority communities.

Gursimran Kaur Butalia’s paper delves into the unique concept of langar, an act of charity with special reference to Sis Ganj Gurdwara. Drawing on Sikh philosophy, the author explores the continuation of langar over 500 years, emphasizing the selfless nature of giving without expectation of reward. This piece is of interest to readers in the areas of religion, history, culture, management, and social studies.

The final research paper in this issue addresses critical aspects of AI, including pain points, IT risk, compliance budgets, staffing, and best practices for risk management. The study delves into the major risks and exposures associated with AI in the current digital landscape, offering strategic perspectives on ensuring complete compliance in business. Readers and practitioners in information and cyber security will find this paper highly relevant.

Devinder Pal Singh’s opinion piece explores the concept of truthful living as depicted in the hymns of the holy Sikh scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This paper is a significant contribution to Humanities and Social Sciences research, particularly for those interested in Sikh philosophy or theological studies.

The second opinion piece by Trân Thi Vân Dung et al. focuses on the increasing trend of research publications among university students in Vietnam. The authors provide insights into the challenges, trends, and implications of student-driven research output in the Vietnamese higher education landscape. The article concludes with recommendations for fostering a culture of research publication, emphasizing its vital role in advancing knowledge dissemination and academic excellence in Vietnam.

We round off this edition with a concept paper conceptualizes the potential link between perceived job insecurity, workplace ostracism, compulsory citizenship behaviour, and innovative behaviours in educational enterprises after the impact of COVID-19 and the Double Reduction Policy in China.

In conclusion, this issue of JHSSR offers a wealth of knowledge and insights across various disciplines, reflecting the journal’s commitment to fostering diverse and impactful research. We encourage you to explore these articles, engage in critical discussions, and share this valuable resource with your peers and students.

As we celebrate the journal’s accomplishment of surpassing 1,209 submissions, with only 223 accepted and published, we acknowledge the rigorous standards maintained in the review process. This high acceptance rate reflects our commitment to ensuring the publication of high-quality research that aligns with the journal’s scope and contributes significantly to the academic community.

Our Quality

All the papers except the book-review published in this edition underwent a rigorous yet relatively rapid double-blind peer-review process involving a minimum of three reviewers comprising internal as well as external referees, which translates to benefits such as timeliness of publication, widespread dissemination, high visibility, and likelihood of high citations and broader impacts. This was also to ensure that the quality of the papers justified the high ranking of the journal, which hopes to be one at par with one of the renowned and heavily-cited journals not only by authors and researchers in Malaysia and America but by those in other countries around the world as well.

While I hope this issue will have particular appeal to new readers across this region and beyond, I am confident that the articles published will raise interest among our regular readership of scholars and postgraduate students elsewhere, thanks to the relevance and diversity of contributions on a region whose future bears central importance to us all.

I would also like to express gratitude to all the contributing authors for their trust, patience, and timely revisions, who have made this issue possible, as well as the reviewers and editors for their professional contribution. Last but not least, the assistance of the journal’s editorial office in Texas, particularly Jessica Whitsitt, Lucy Fernandez, and Judy Meester—my adorable assistants, is greatly appreciated.

The Editorial Board of JHSSR welcomes your contributions and looks forward to many years of fruitful research to come. We continue to welcome submissions in all fields of humanities and social sciences. Horizon JHSSR is currently accepting manuscripts for its first 2024 issue based on original qualitative or quantitative research that opens new areas of inquiry and investigation. Empirical articles should demonstrate high rigor and quality. Original research collects and analyses data in systematic ways to present important new research that adds to and advances the debates within the journal’s fields. The editors hope that the authors publishing in this journal can support the noble cause of JHSSR in reaching its goals.

JHSSR also invites call for proposals for 2024-25 Special Issues. Our journal aims to provide a platform for researchers and technical experts to publish original papers, reviews and communications on all aspects of humanities and social sciences research. We strive to maintain a high standard of scientific objectivity, and we ensure that all submitted articles undergo a stringent yet relatively rapid double-blind peer-review process, which translates to benefits such as timeliness of publication, widespread dissemination, high visibility, and likelihood of high citations and broader impacts. Alongside a mission-driven Editor-in-chief, the globally diverse Editorial Board works with prominent scientific community to create a fast moving and rigorous editorial reviews. JHSSR follows code of conduct stipulated by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Proposals can be submitted directly via email to [email protected]

Let me conclude by saying that with the publication of this issue, we are now completing five years of continuous and successful scholarly publication of Horizon JHSSR. Changing publishing norms and expectations have given rise to a new wave of publishing standards that we’ll be riding into 2024 soon and beyond. I am confident that the upcoming year will bring yet another challenging year of emerging scholarly articles.

Only time will tell what the next decade has in store, but one thing for sure is we will likely see greater innovation in all areas of scholarly publishing with emphasis on A.I. If you are observing other scholarly publishing trends, please do share your thoughts with the Chief Executive Editor!

Thank you for your continued support. We hope you find these articles thought-provoking and valuable in your academic pursuits, and look forward to further enriching the scholarly discourse in future issues.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37534/bp.jhssr.2023.v5.n2.id0012.p1