Looking for clients : exploring the experiences and motivations of student 'academic commission' providers from Metro Manila during the COVID-19 pandemic

Date

6-2023

Degree

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Sunshine Therese S. Alcantara

Abstract

In the Philippines, the transactions for academic commission services were ramped up in social media, specifically in Facebook groups and Twitter accounts, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although recent studies have delved into understanding the phenomenon, limited studies were available in exploring students' involvement in these activities as commission providers in the country. This case study focused on the experiences and motivations of twelve academic commission providers, all of which were undergraduate students studying in different higher educational institutions in Metro Manila. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online and thematic analysis was employed to generate themes. The main findings indicate that students were financially motivated and performed academic commissions to divert their attention to be productive during the pandemic. Circumstances such as problems with family income and lack of alternative job opportunities led them to be providers of various academic commission services. Aside from financial benefits, academic commissioners also experienced challenges that affect their ability to work. Moreover, students perceived academic commissions as a sideline and a convenient income source through contractual service. Additionally, being an academic commission provider sometimes compromised the students’ studies, social life, and personal time. It also involves risk such as fears of the possibility of being caught by their own school. However, the students only used academic commissions as their temporary income source, thus, they decided that they may no longer engage in these activities in the future.

Language

English

LC Subject

Cheating (Education) -- Philippines, College students -- Social life and customs -- Philippines

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2023 S7 C33

Document Type

Thesis

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