ISPEC International Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities

Intergenerational Differences in the Work Values of Academic Staff: The Case of a Public University

Betül YILMAZ — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0200

This study comparatively examines the work values of academic staff employed in the social sciences at a public university in Turkey from a generational perspective. Although the primary focus of the study was on Generations X and Y, the limited number of Baby Boomer academics in the sample were also included in the analyses. Using a quantitative research design and convenience sampling, data were collected from 480 academics. Work values were measured using 13 items from the Work-Achievement Goal (WAG) Scale. The data were analyzed using factor analysis and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results of the factor analysis revealed a four-dimensional structure consisting of Social Satisfaction, Individual Satisfaction, Spiritual Satisfaction, and Career Achievement Satisfaction. The findings indicate statistically significant generational differences in the dimensions of Social Satisfaction, Individual Satisfaction, and Career Achievement Satisfaction, whereas no significant difference was found in the Spiritual Satisfaction dimension. These results suggest that the work values of academic staff differ across generations in specific dimensions rather than across all dimensions and highlight the importance of developing management approaches that take generational differences into account within higher education institutions.

From Familiar Pain to Secure Bond: Recurring Patterns in Adult Relationships

Ezra KAHRAMAN — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0200

This review examines recurring relationship patterns that shape adults and the factors that may support movement from familiar but harmful relational forms toward secure relationships. It addresses childhood experiences and attachment styles, early maladaptive schemas, cognitive distortions, self-esteem, self-compassion, relationship satisfaction and adjustment, self-sacrifice, boundary setting, self-disclosure, partner responsiveness, perspective taking, and the interruption of repetitive cycles. Academic studies accessed through Google Scholar, PubMed and DergiPark were compared and organized thematically. The reviewed findings suggest that recurring difficulties in romantic relationships may be associated with attachment patterns and relational schemas formed early stages in life. When these patterns continue, individuals may experience difficulties in their relationship with themselves and self-respect may be damaged, boundaries may become unclear, and individuals may become alienated from their emotions, encounter difficulties in interpersonal communication, and experience lower relationship satisfaction. Repetixtion is not necessarily fate. Recognizing learned patterns, expressing needs clearly, developing self-compassion, and maintaining reciprocal, respectful communication may support safer, more balanced, and more satisfying romantic relationships.

An Analysis of the Hadith Regarding Tattooing, Eyebrow Plucking, and Creating Gaps Between Teeth in Light of the Concept of Altering Allah's Creation

Reşit ÖZTÜRK — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0200

This study examines the narrations found in the Sunnah regarding the practices of tattooing (al-washm), plucking eyebrows (al-nams), and filing teeth to create gaps (al-taflîj/al-washr) within the framework of the concept of "altering Allah's creation" (taghyîr khalq Allâh). Based on the hadith narrated by Abdullah b. Masʿûd—which contains a pronouncement of a curse upon women who engage in these practices—the study comparatively analyzes these narrations alongside classical hadith commentaries and the evaluations of various schools of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). The study identifies the phrases "those who alter Allah's creation" and "for the sake of beauty," found in the relevant hadiths, as the fundamental elements determining the ʿillah (legal rationale) of the ruling. Consequently, it concludes that the prohibition is not absolute but specifically targets interventions aimed at altering one's creation for aesthetic purposes, involving deception (tadlîs), or distorting one's natural appearance; conversely, procedures intended for medical treatment, the correction of congenital defects, or the restoration of an organ's natural function are not considered to fall within the scope of the prohibition. Thus, it is demonstrated that the primary criterion for determining the legal ruling on aesthetic interventions in Islamic law is not the intervention itself, but rather its purpose, justification, and consequences. The findings indicate that the principles established in classical jurisprudential literature serve as a guide for determining the religious rulings applicable to contemporary aesthetic procedures.

Modern Western and Classical Islamic Legal Methodologies on the Axis of Codification and Ijtihad

Asiye TÜRKER — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0200

This study comparatively examines the fundamental characteristics of the Islamic legal (Fiqh) paradigm in relation to the modern Western legal paradigm. These characteristics, which can also be interpreted under the rubric of legal philosophy, reflect the underlying mentalities, objectives, and inherent natures of both Islamic and Western law. According to the findings of this research, while modern Western law with its centralized, uniformist and hegemonic nature is designed primarily for corporate organization, namely the state; Islamic law with its decentralized, pluralistic, and liberationist nature is designed rather for the private person, specifically for human life. While the rationalist and state-oriented structure of Western law conceptualizes law as a body of norms dictated top-down, Islamic law advocates a horizontal plurality compatible with social dynamics through the civil activity of “ijtihad”. In this context, the study focuses on the profound divergence between the sources and ultimate goals of these legal systems. Any attempts at comparison or synthesis between the two systems cannot be undertaken without considering these antithetical characteristics. Consequently, by focusing on the ontological question of for whom law is designed (the state or the individual?), this article opens a theoretical discussion on the tension between the modernity’s conception of law and the libertarian structure of classical Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh).

Between Secrecy and Loyalty: Theological Foundations, Worship Systems, and Socio-Cultural Structure in Yezidîsm

Kadri ÖNEMLİ — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0200

This study analyzes the belief system, worship practices, and socio-religious hierarchy of the Yezidî community, which has historically exhibited a highly secluded social structure. In Yezidîsm, where oral culture is predominant, rituals and doctrines bear the traces of Islam, ancient Mesopotamian beliefs, and Sufi traditions; however, they have been fundamentally reshaped through the community’s unique theological lens. The central figures of the faith, Melek Taus (the Peacock Angel) and Sheikh Adi b. Musafir, form the primary axis for core rituals such as the Declaration of Faith, prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage. Worship in Yezidîsm is defined as a personal and spiritual orientation rather than a mere set of formalistic patterns. Prayer (Nımej) is performed with a discipline where the Sun is regarded as a sacred messenger and the source of divine light. Fasting is categorized into two main types: the three-day "Ezi Fast" for the general public and a specialized eighty-day fast reserved for the clergy. The principle of "secrecy" is so dominant that breaking the fast may be considered permissible to maintain social etiquette and protect the privacy of the faith. The Lalish Valley, the center of the pilgrimage, is not merely a place of visitation but a sacred landscape where existential rituals—ranging from baptism to sacrifice—are performed. The social structure is built upon a rigid caste system, similar to that of India, strictly dividing the community into Murids (laypeople) and the Clergy. This hierarchy is fortified by "Zakat" (almsgiving) and strict endogamous marriage prohibitions, such as the institution of "Afterlife Brotherhood" (Birâye Âhiretê). Explaining death not as an end but as a threshold of spiritual evolution through "metempsychosis" (transmigration of souls), Yezidîsm preserves its identity through an extensive system of taboos governing everything from diet to linguistic discipline. Today, as the community transforms from a Mesopotamian minority into a global diaspora, it continues to maintain its distinctiveness through its hierarchical organization and symbolic world, even as modern influences soften its traditionally closed nature.

An Assessment of the Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence-Powered e-Audit Tools on Tax Audits in the Context of Türkiye

Müslüm GÜMÜŞ — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Taxes, which are the most important source of revenue for the state financing public expenditures, must be collected on time and with minimal tax loss. Therefore, tax administrations need to benefit from technological innovations and artificial intelligence mechanisms. In this context, in recent years, tax administrations have made the transition from the classical understanding of audit to a different audit model by implementing artificial intelligence-supported e-audit tools. In Türkiye, many tax-related tasks and procedures can also be carried out digitally without the need to visit tax offices. It is seen that important steps have been taken in the fight against tax loss and evasion and voluntary tax compliance in line with developing technology and practices in the world. In recent years, thanks to artificial intelligence-supported e-audit tools, both quantitative and qualitative increases have occurred in tax auditing. But e-Audit tools integrated with artificial intelligence systems can access a wide range of data, including sensitive information about taxpayers. The confidentiality of this information must be protected, and it must be stored in secure areas to safeguard it against cyber attacks. In addition, ensuring transparency in the decision-making processes of artificial intelligence algorithms and not turning into a means of pressure on taxpayers is another issue that should be taken into consideration. In this context, the effectiveness of artificial intelligence-supported e-transformation tools has been investigated in Turkey by taking into account the world applications in this study, the performance of the Turkish Tax Inspection Board and e-audit tools have been evaluated. As a result, it has been determined that the desired quantitative and qualitative increase in e-auditing has not yet been achieved, but significant progress has been made in this regard. In addition, it has been concluded that the integration of artificial intelligence-supported audit systems that assist in the audit with current tax legislation, judicial case law, the constitution and international conventions should be ensured and constantly updated.

Thematic Change in Graduate Theses Entitled “Graphic Design” in Türkiye: A Content Analysis of the 2000–2025 Period

Yasin YILMAZ — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0200

This study investigates the thematic structure and temporal evolution of postgraduate theses containing the term “Graphic Design” in their titles and indexed in the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK) National Thesis Center between 2000 and 2025. The dataset comprises 590 theses, including 470 master’s theses, 42 doctoral dissertations, and 78 proficiency in art theses. Using a document-based research design, the study combines descriptive analysis with MAXQDA-assisted thematic content analysis. Thesis titles and available Turkish-language abstracts were coded across 23 thematic categories, and the relative visibility of these themes was compared across five time periods.

The findings show that 66.4% of the theses were completed between 2016 and 2025. Across the corpus, design education, advertising, typography, creativity and the design process, and poster design displayed consistently high document-level visibility. By contrast, several emerging themes, particularly artificial intelligence, sustainability, and social media, became markedly more visible during the 2021–2025 period. Of the 19 theses coded under the artificial intelligence theme, 17 were completed within this most recent period. Overall, the results indicate that while several long-established research themes have retained their prominence, technologically and socially driven topics have gained increasing visibility in recent years. By tracing shifts in the relative visibility of themes over time, this study provides a descriptive account of changing research patterns within postgraduate scholarship on graphic design in Türkiye.