Ethical Framework Research Articles

Proposta de uma Estrutura Ética em Pesquisa

Throughout human history, human beings have sought ways to improve their living conditions, where, at first, the challenges were to create ways to protect themselves from animals and the climate, then they began to produce tools and utensils to facilitate their daily chores. Today, we explore everything from the smallest particles to the distant planets, and information and communication technologies allow us to share knowledge on a global level. In view of this, due to the prerogatives that new technologies offer, it is vital to consider good ethical values so that research can fulfil its true social role, as it is a means of expanding knowledge, which is also used to create services and products in order to meet some of the necessity of life. Research has the potential to profoundly alter society, and so it needs to be planned and executed with integrity and ethics for the well-being of individuals and the progress of civilisation. Given this context, this paper aims to present a Research Ethics Framework that can assist researchers to assess the ethicality of what they intend to investigate, or to evaluate a completed work. The Research Ethics Framework was applied to a completed research study where it was found that, although, in general, it was conducted ethically, it could nevertheless have been submitted to a Research Ethics Committee so that it could have an independent backing on its ethicality.

Revolutionizing Maternal Health: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Care and Accessibility.

Maternal health remains a critical global health challenge, with disparities in access to care and quality of services contributing to high maternal mortality and morbidity rates. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool for addressing these challenges by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, improving patient monitoring, and expanding access to care. This review explores the transformative role of AI in maternal healthcare, focusing on its applications in the early detection of pregnancy complications, personalized care, and remote monitoring through AI-driven technologies. AI tools such as predictive analytics and machine learning can help identify at-risk pregnancies and guide timely interventions, reducing preventable maternal and neonatal complications. Additionally, AI-enabled telemedicine and virtual assistants are bridging healthcare gaps, particularly in underserved and rural areas, improving accessibility for women who might otherwise face barriers to quality maternal care. Despite the potential benefits, challenges such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the need for human oversight must be carefully addressed. The review also discusses future research directions, including expanding AI applications in maternal health globally and the need for ethical frameworks to guide its integration. AI holds the potential to revolutionize maternal healthcare by enhancing both care quality and accessibility, offering a pathway to safer, more equitable maternal outcomes.

Diversion or death? The moral framework shaping bifurcated punishments for drug offences in Indonesia

Background As the UN urges states to move from harsh punishments for drug offences towards treatment programmes, Indonesia has adopted a bifurcated penal policy. Most of those convicted are sentenced to imprisonment or death, but some ‘minor’ offenders are diverted to drug treatment centres. We explore the moralities that shape drug policy, justice professionals’ interpretation and application of laws and policies, and judgements about who is deserving of diversion. Methods We draw on experiences and perceptions of 136 Indonesian criminal justice professionals, through in-depth qualitative interviewing and focus groups, to reveal the moral landscapes shaping policy and practice. Results Justice narratives blur penal concerns with moral judgments about drug offending, with normative responses shaping punishments in law and practice. While there is some compassion for ‘minor’ drug offenders, driving rationales for diversion, drug traffickers are regarded as morally deserving of prison and capital punishment, with traditionalist perceptions of harm amplified by a purgative rationale. Conclusion This article highlights the analytical potential of moralities such as ‘compassion’ and ‘traditionalism’ in criminal justice research and policy in Southeast Asia. Understanding the formation and navigation of these normative values may assist in challenging harsh penal policy in Indonesia and the wider region.

Cross-National Variations in Scientific Ethics: Exploring Ethical Perspectives Among Scientists in China, the US, and the UK

This research explores the perspectives of academic physicists from three national contexts concerning their roles and responsibilities within the realm of science. Using a dataset comprised of 211 interviews with scientists working in China, the United States, and the United Kingdom, the study seeks to explain whether and in what manner physicists conceptualize scientific ethics within a global or national framework. The empirical findings bring to light disparities across nations in the physicists’ perceptions of what constitutes responsible mentorship and engagement in public service. These cross-national variations underscore the moral agency of physicists as they navigate the ethical standards embraced by the global scientific community vis-à-vis those that are specific to their respective national contexts. The study’s empirical insights may carry significant implications for both policymakers and ethicists, underscoring the imperative of soliciting and acknowledging the perspectives of academic scientists working and living in disparate national contexts when formulating comprehensive science ethics frameworks. Such inclusive and context-aware approaches to shaping ethics in science can contribute to the cultivation of a more robust and universally relevant ethical foundation for the scientific community.

Efficiency gains from the implementation of Research IDs for data linkage: A case study from Population Data BC and the Data Innovation Program in British Columbia, Canada

Objective and ApproachPopulation Data BC (PopData) transitioned to Research IDs from Study IDs for the Data Innovation (DI) Program, with the objective of improving efficiency of data preparation, linkage, and provisioning while maintaining privacy standards. Study IDs are person-specific encrypted identifiers unique to each study, preventing Researchers from combining records from different projects, in turn reducing risk of re-identification. Research IDs are also person-specific encrypted identifiers, except they are not project specific. Advancements in technology and changes in data provisioning models have reduced utility of Study IDs. ResultsImplementing Research IDs instead of Study IDs decreased: processing, setup/review, per transfer effort, errors/omissions, storage requirements, staff training/knowledge, licenses, record keeping, specialized knowledge, and per project data tracking. There was a marginally higher risk of re-identification with Research IDs, counter-acted by a higher degree of technological security and stronger procedural and ethical frameworks, resulting in the ability to provide more data to more users. ConclusionsAdopting Research IDs has allowed PopData and the DI Program to access established data resources faster, more efficiently, with less per project person effort and reduced storage requirements without a net risk change. The benefits of adopting Research IDs, counter a potential minimal risk gain arising from replacement of Study IDs with Research IDs. ImplicationsEfficiency gains from the use of Research IDs allows PopData and the DI Program to redistribute operational and staff resources, in turn increasing their ability to scale, to provide data in more diverse formats and improve service provision.

How AI might transform the book

PurposeThis column aims to explore how AI is being used to impact books and help them understand how it may develop in the near future. Exploring these possibilities will help information professionals better understand the ways in which this technology is already being developed to impact books, a technology near and dear to many libraries.Design/methodology/approachThis column discusses a series of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that are being used to change what books are. They include AI that adds context with the help of experts, AI that leverages the content of the book itself to create an interactive persona, and AI that makes books multi-modal either by adding narration and likely someday visuals inspired by the text.FindingsMany of these transformations do not require breakthroughs in AI technology. Rather, they only require the application of existing technologies, layering on new interfaces and frameworks.Originality/valueAs a book evolves, libraries, who know their patrons’ needs, have expertise and often operate within ethical frameworks, have an opportunity to participate in the process.

How Can Newborn Toxicology Testing Be More Equitable? An Interactive Ethics Workshop.

Practice variation in newborn toxicology testing during the birth hospitalization exists across institutions and legal jurisdictions. While testing can provide benefits, indiscriminate testing has been shown to perpetuate health care inequities. In the backdrop of an opioid epidemic and a charged medicolegal landscape, this workshop guides participants to reexamine newborn toxicology testing through a shared ethical lens. We conducted a live, 90-minute workshop in English at an international pediatric conference. Physicians, residents, and fellows participated in large- and small-group breakout sessions to learn relevant clinical and bioethical frameworks, share their own local context and expertise, and explore ethical applications through case-based discussions. We administered two anonymous online follow-up surveys to assess self-perceived impact on participant knowledge, behavior, and clinical practice. Seven facilitators and 45 individuals participated in the workshop. Eighteen participants completed survey 1 immediately following workshop conclusion, and six participants completed survey 2 after 3 months had elapsed. Immediately following the workshop, 94% of respondents reported that they had been introduced to a new idea, and 82% were considering practice change. A low response rate to survey 2 limited interpretation, but some respondents reported self-perceived change following workshop attendance. This workshop facilitated conversation between physician participants on a complex pediatric health care inequity issue using an ethical framework.

Ethical governance and implementation paths for global marine science data sharing

While global marine science data sharing plays a crucial role in advancing scientific research and knowledge dissemination, it also brings with it two major ethical conflicts: those between individual interests and the public interest and those between data privacy and data sharing, which are rooted in conflict of interest. In the context of globalization and rapid technological progress, current ethical governance frameworks are inadequate in regulating these conflicts. On the one hand, governance cannot meet the needs of rapidly evolving technologies; on the other hand, the complexity and diversity of stakeholders involved in governance make it more difficult. By introducing the theory of legal hierarchy and innovatively proposing the theory of ethical hierarchy, which classifies the ethical principles to be followed according to their importance and applicability, the priority and scope of application between different ethical principles can be clearly defined so that various stakeholders can make the right ethical choices. Using research methods such as literature review, case studies, and comparative analysis, we propose to construct an ethical governance framework that consists of a stakeholder consultation and communication network in terms of governance structure and clarifies the ethical responsibilities of each party in data sharing in terms of governance measures. This framework not only provides a platform for communication and cooperation among different stakeholders but also helps to balance the interests of different stakeholders and improve the level and extent of global marine science data sharing.

CSR's Moral Commitment and Greenwashing

This research explores the phenomenon of greenwashing within the context of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and examines its ethical implications. Greenwashing refers to the practice of companies presenting themselves as more environmentally responsible than they are, misleading stakeholders and undermining genuine CSR efforts. The study investigates the deceptive nature of greenwashing, analyzing its prevalence across various industries and its impact on corporate credibility. It also explores ethical frameworks, such as Max Weber’s typology of ethics, to understand how current CSR practices may inadvertently promote greenwashing. Effective communication and stakeholder engagement are identified as critical factors in preventing greenwashing, emphasizing the need for transparency. The paper reviews existing regulatory measures and voluntary standards aimed at curbing greenwashing and proposes a hybrid approach that combines both to enhance corporate accountability. The findings underscore the importance of a robust framework to ensure that CSR initiatives are genuine and impactful, addressing the challenges posed by greenwashing

Depiction Of Moral Values In Indonesian English Junior High School Textbooks

Most language textbooks are analyzed by emphasizing cultural/multicultural content, gender stereotypes/representation, neoliberalism, and pedagogical representation. The role of language textbooks on moral and cultural values at various levels has been examined. However, moral values at the junior high school level are scarce. This study examined the moral values in junior high school English textbooks entitled “English for Nusantara” for grades 7 and 8 published by the Indonesian Education Standard, Curriculum, and Assessment Agency of the Ministry of Education Culture, Research and Higher Education within the independent curriculum. This research used a qualitative content analysis research design. This study adopted the Moral Foundations Theory Framework (MTF) Graham presented a set of moral principles such as care/harm, fairness/cheating, loyalty/betrayal, authority/subversion, and sanctity/degradation. The result showed that both the textbooks for grades 7 and 8 were similar representing more dominant moral values than bad values, with percentages of 95% and 59%, respectively. The other finding suggested that the textbooks did not integrate authority, loyalty, and fairness. The study implies incorporating stories that highlight moral values should be required to internalize ethical values and encourage students to do good things.

Clinician voices on ethics of LLM integration in healthcare: a thematic analysis of ethical concerns and implications

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explain and categorize key ethical concerns about integrating large language models (LLMs) in healthcare, drawing particularly from the perspectives of clinicians in online discussions.Materials and methodsWe analyzed 3049 posts and comments extracted from a self-identified clinician subreddit using unsupervised machine learning via Latent Dirichlet Allocation and a structured qualitative analysis methodology.ResultsAnalysis uncovered 14 salient themes of ethical implications, which we further consolidated into 4 overarching domains reflecting ethical issues around various clinical applications of LLM in healthcare, LLM coding, algorithm, and data governance, LLM’s role in health equity and the distribution of public health services, and the relationship between users (human) and LLM systems (machine).DiscussionMapping themes to ethical frameworks in literature illustrated multifaceted issues covering transparent LLM decisions, fairness, privacy, access disparities, user experiences, and reliability.ConclusionThis study emphasizes the need for ongoing ethical review from stakeholders to ensure responsible innovation and advocates for tailored governance to enhance LLM use in healthcare, aiming to improve clinical outcomes ethically and effectively.

Ethical AI in Information Technology: Navigating Bias, Privacy, Transparency, and Accountability

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has fundamentally transformed the landscape of information technology (IT), offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation and efficiency. However, these advancements also bring significant ethical challenges, including issues of bias, privacy, transparency, and accountability. This paper explores these ethical challenges and proposes a comprehensive ethical framework for the responsible development and deployment of AI in IT. Through an examination of historical context, current trends, and detailed case studies, the framework aims to provide actionable guidelines to mitigate biases, protect privacy, enhance transparency, and ensure accountability in AI systems. By fostering ethical AI practices, this framework aspires to support the sustainable and equitable advancement of AI technologies, ultimately benefiting society as a whole

Navigating ethical challenges in online wildlife trade research.

The surge in internet accessibility has transformed wildlife trade by facilitating the acquisition of wildlife through online platforms. This scenario presents unique ethical challenges for researchers, as traditional ethical frameworks for in-person research cannot be readily applied to the online realm. Currently, there is a lack of clearly defined guidelines for appropriate ethical procedures when conducting online wildlife trade (OWT) research. In response to this, we consulted the scientific literature on ethical considerations in online research and examined existing guidelines established by professional societies and ethical boards. Based on these documents, we present a set of recommendations that can inform the development of ethically responsible OWT research. Key ethical challenges in designing and executing OWT research include the violation of privacy rights, defining subjects and illegality, and the risk of misinterpretation or posing risks to participants when sharing data. Potential solutions include considering participants' expectations of privacy, defining when participants are authors versus subjects, understanding the legal and cultural context, minimizing data collection, ensuring anonymization, and removing metadata. Best practices also involve being culturally sensitive when analyzing and reporting findings. Adhering to these guidelines can help mitigate potential pitfalls and provides valuable insights to editors, researchers, and ethical review boards, enabling them to conduct scientifically rigorous and ethically responsible OWT research to advance this growing field.

Why Moral Bioenhancement Cannot Reliably Produce Virtue.

Moral bioenhancement presents the possibility of enhancing morally desirable emotions and dispositions. While some scholars have proposed that moral bioenhancement can produce virtue, we argue that within a virtue ethics framework moral bioenhancement cannot reliably produce virtue. Moreover, on a virtue ethics framework, the pursuit of moral bioenhancement carries moral risks. To make this argument, we consider three aspects of virtue-its motivational, rational, and behavioral components. In order to be virtuous, we argue, a person must (i) take pleasure in doing the right thing and have the correct motivational attitudes; (ii) reason correctly about what is called for in a particular ethical dilemma; and (iii) intentionally and continuously practice and cultivate virtues. These dimensions of morality-in short: precisely those emphasized in a virtue ethics framework-cannot be consistently or reliably met using existing moral bioenhancement technology.

Ethical framework and inclusivity: research mechanics of difficult-to-reach migrants in civil military context

In the midst of humanitarian crises, understanding and helping hard-to-reach migrant communities, is a major challenge for researchers. This article addresses the ethical framework and dimensions of inclusivity associated with researching such populations in civilian-military setting. With the overarching aim of improving methodological discourse, this study seeks to understand the mechanisms involved in working with crisis-affected migrants who are often marginalised and geographically isolated. The significance of this research lies in its multi-layered approach to understanding the ethical considerations and inclusivity that are essential to conducting research in crisis situations. By examining existing theories in the field, including participatory research methods, ethnographic studies and community-based research frameworks, this study critically evaluates their applicability in the context of crisis-affected migrant communities. This research contributes to methodological approaches by proposing innovative strategies that emphasise ethical integrity, cultural sensitivity and inclusivity. It argues for the development of collaborative and culturally sensitive research practises that enable migrant communities to actively participate in the research process and ensure that their voices are heard, and their perspectives accurately represented. This study contributes to existing knowledge by illuminating the complexities of researching hard-to-reach migrant communities in civil military setting. This study provides researchers and practitioners with the necessary tools and perspectives required for engaging with crisis-affected migrant communities in a manner that is both ethical, respectful, and impactful.

Drug Shortage and Ethical Issues: Integrating Multidisciplinary Perspectives with a Shared Ethical Framework.

Drug shortages can cause ethical dilemmas when no systematic, equitable allocation, or utilization schema is in place. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an ethical framework outlining moral values was proposed as way to approach allocating limited resources to patients. In addition to an ethical perspective, it is prudent to consider costs. Examining existing economic frameworks and combining them with an ethical perspective may provide a practical, systematic process for decision makers when allocating drugs in short supply. Drug shortages continue to impact multiple areas across different subspecialties of medicine due to multiple factors, including limited manufacturers, regulatory issues, and costs. All of these factors make it difficult to anticipate and manage drug shortages effectively, but developing a combined framework may reduce some of the ethical and equitable ambiguity with regards to patient care.

Do Reasons Matter? Navigating Parents’ Reasons in Healthcare Decisions for Children

Bioethics has dedicated itself to exploring and defending both reasons for and against certain aspects of clinical care, biomedical research and health policy, including what decisions must be made, who should make them, and how they should be made. In pediatrics, it’s widely acknowledged that parents’ reasons may matter pragmatically; attending to parents’ reasons is important if we want to work with families. Yet the conventional view in pediatric ethics is that parents’ reasons are irrelevant to whether a decision is permissible or impermissible according to accepted ethical standards. In this paper, we explore whether parents’ reasons matter ethically and, if so, in what way and for whom. First, we clarify what we mean by ‘reasons.’ Second, we provide an overview of how reasons are typically treated in medical decision-making and pediatric ethics. Third, we analyze a hypothetical pediatric case to illustrate how changing reasons can transform ethical analyses, including by contributing to where and how clinicians and ethicists draw the boundaries intrinsic to common pediatric ethical frameworks. We push back against the conventional view and argue that parents’ reasons matter ethically in several ways. We call for further research on the role of parents’ reasons in clinical ethics deliberation.

Quantum Ethics: Navigating the Intersection of Quantum Mechanics and Metaethics in the Digital Era for a Just and Equitable Society

The advancement of quantum technologies and their integration with digital systems has resulted in enormous changes in society, providing new opportunities for furthering subjects such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things (IoT), and quantum computing. The ethical ramifications of these technologies, however, have not been adequately investigated, raising worries about their possible harmful influence on society. This research examines the convergence of quantum physics, metaethics, and the digital era in order to determine the implications of these technologies and to offer ethical frameworks for maintaining a just and equitable society. It will analyse the obstacles faced by the employment of quantum technologies in the digital era, including concerns relating to privacy, security, and the possibility for biased decision-making, through a thorough analysis of relevant literature. It then investigates the possibilities of multidisciplinary approaches that combine quantum mechanics and metaethics principles to overcome these issues and construct ethical frameworks that emphasize human values. The report suggests that a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes ethical issues is critical for the development of quantum technologies in the digital era. This necessitates a coordinated effort among stakeholders from many sectors such as technology, ethics, policy, and governance. The article provides a complete ethical framework that incorporates quantum mechanics and metaethics principles to ensure that the advantages of new technologies are realized while limiting any negative consequences.

Exploring Ethical Dilemmas in the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Academic Writing: Perspectives of Researchers

The use of artificial intelligence in the academic writing process prompts a profound reconsideration of fundamental ethical issues such as property, accuracy, and privacy. This study aims to explore the ethical dilemmas in the use of artificial intelligence in academic writing, focusing on the perspectives of researchers in the social sciences. A case study design was employed, using a maximum diversity sampling method with 34 researchers participating. Data collection utilized open-ended questions framed within Mason's framework of computer ethics, prompting participants to provide detailed responses. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, focusing on themes of property, accuracy, and privacy. The findings reflect diverse views among participants regarding the ethical implications of using artificial intelligence in academic writing. Specifically, the necessity of disclosing sources when artificial intelligence generates information and the importance of ethical citations were emphasized. The results contribute to initiating significant discussions on the ethical use of artificial intelligence in academic writing and add to the relevant literature.

Enhancing Public Healthcare Security: Integrating Cutting-Edge Technologies into Social Medical Systems

To reduce the negative effects of digitization, normative advice in international human rights legislation incorporates digital health into ethical and human rights frameworks. The use of digital health technology for universal health coverage (UHC) is acknowledged to have benefits, but its implementation must be based on respect for human rights, equity, and ethics, as well as upholding norms of acceptable quality, safety, and morality. The WHA acknowledged the necessity to use digital health technologies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but stressed that in doing so, they must "pay particular attention to digital inclusion, patient empowerment, data privacy and security, legal and ethical issues, and the protection of personal data." This paper's goal is to critically assess the proposed legislative framework and policy that regulate digital health technologies in India, as well as the implementation of digital health.