I just had a handyman-type person wire and install some very basic lights in
the basement of my home. The lights fixtures are just the very basic round
white plastic ones where a light bulb screws in. What he did was screw the
white plastic fixtures directly onto the ceiling joists with no junction
boxes or mounting boxes. The wires run along the joists and under the white
plastic fixture to the contacts.

I assume that's wrong and doesn't meet electrical codes. Am I right about
that?

And, yes, I know I should have a licensed electrician, etc., etc.