Ethical Research Articles

Cerebral Death: Unraveling the Mystery of the Silent Mind

The permanent loss of all brain stem functions, such as breathing, awareness, and cranial nerve reflexes, is known as brain stem death (BSD), and it presents a significant medical and ethical issue. While other bodily functions, such as heart activity and circulation, can be maintained with medical intervention, BSD is defined by the cessation of brain stem activity. The key characteristic that distinguishes BSD from other conditions, such as coma or a persistent vegetative state, is the complete and irreversible loss of brain stem function—a critical control centre for basic physiological processes. Diagnosing BSD requires strict clinical criteria and diagnostic testing to confirm the full and permanent nature of the condition. This typically involves a comprehensive neurological examination, assessment of cranial nerve reflexes, and confirmation through additional tests, such as cerebral blood flow studies or electroencephalography (EEG). A diagnosis of BSD carries significant ethical and legal implications, particularly in relation to organ donation, as it often plays a role in identifying potential donors. The ethical considerations surrounding BSD include its impact on families, the distinction between death and end-of-life care, and the challenges posed by varying legal and cultural perspectives. It highlights the importance of a clear diagnosis, obtaining informed consent, and adhering to established medical protocols to uphold human dignity and ethical standards. As medical technology advances and societal views evolve, the discussion around brain stem death continues to be a critical issue in both bioethics and modern medical practice.

Beyond the Surface: Investigating Ethical Hacking for Cyber Defense

Ethical hacking is basic for proactively distinguishing and settling security vulnerabilities in data frameworks. As cyber dangers gotten to be more modern, solid defense components are more critical than ever. This paper examines how ethical hacking enhances cybersecurity by combining traditional penetration testing with modern machine learning techniques. A case study on using the insulation timber algorithm for anomaly discovery demonstrates its effectiveness in relating implicit security breaches in network business. The paper also underscores the need to follow legal and ethical guidelines in hacking practices. Integrating ethical hacking with advanced analytical methods helps organizations better detect and address vulnerabilities, ultimately strengthening their defenses against cyberattacks. In addition to technical strategies, the paper emphasizes the importance of adhering to legal and ethical standards in all hacking activities. Ethical hacking must be conducted within a framework of clear guidelines and permissions to ensure it remains a constructive force for improving security rather than becoming a potential threat itself. Integrating ethical hacking practices with advanced analytical methods allows organizations to develop a more resilient defense posture, facilitating the early detection and mitigation of vulnerabilities and reducing the risk of successful cyberattacks.

Conceptual Models of Evaluative and Facilitative Mediation and Accompanying Ethical Challenges

Facilitative and evaluative mediation models represent the two most common approaches in the theory and practice of mediation. Their differing mechanisms significantly influence the mediation process and its outcomes. This paper explores the theoretical foundations of these models, their application in practice, and the accompanying ethical challenges. The paper focuses on the impact of the mediator's chosen style on the autonomy of the parties, their procedural guarantees, and the outcomes of the process. Mediators may encounter numerous dilemmas during the mediation process, as they are obligated to facilitate informed decision-making by the parties without compromising their neutrality. At the same time, mediators must ensure a quality process where the parties can act within their autonomy and fully benefit from the procedural guarantees offered by mediation. It is also noteworthy how evaluative and facilitative mediation models align with the standards established by the mediation code of ethics, considering the balance between conflict resolution and maintaining fairness. Understanding this is essential to ensure that mediators maintain ethical standards and, at the same time, effectively guide the parties toward negotiations. The purpose of this paper is to review the above-mentioned issues and evaluate how contemporary mediation practices address these challenges.

Advancing Corporate Social Responsibility in AI-driven Human Resources Management: A Maturity Model Approach

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the corporate environment has been the subject of several current social debates of many scientific studies in reshaping human resource management (HRM) practices. There is a significant research gap in understanding how artificial intelligence (AI) can be ethically and effectively integrated into human resources management (HRM), particularly in relation to corporate social responsibility (CSR). This study aims to address this gap by proposing a maturity model to assess and guide the responsible implementation of AI in HRM practices. The research goal focuses on how AI can be aligned with CSR principles to ensure ethical, transparent, and socially responsible usage in organizational settings. The methodology includes a comprehensive review of 52 academic papers, employing bibliometrics, network analysis, and thematic content analysis to explore the interplay between AI, CSR, and HRM. These analyses allowed the identification of key ethical concerns and challenges in AI-driven HRM practices, such as bias in AI algorithms, data privacy issues, transparency, and the need for technical proficiency among HR professionals. The findings reveal a five-level AI maturity model, each stage representing progressive alignment with CSR principles. Organizations at lower maturity levels tend to have ad-hoc AI implementations with minimal CSR focus, while those at higher levels demonstrate full integration of ethical AI practices. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of transparency, accountability, and employee empowerment as critical elements for advancing AI maturity in HRM. This research contributes by offering organizations a practical tool to assess and enhance their AI-driven HRM processes through a CSR lens. It also provides a foundation for future research on strategic policy development, ethical AI governance, and continuous improvement in the integration of AI in HRM. Scholars are encouraged to explore these areas further, particularly in understanding how AI can foster not only organizational efficiency but also social responsibility and ethical standards.

Ethical standards for research involving persons with mental disabilities pursuant to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: a proposalPrincípios éticos para pesquisas com pessoas com deficiência intelectual de acordo com a Convenção sobre os Direitos das Pessoas com Deficiência: uma proposta

International ethical standards for research involving persons who have diminished decision-making capacity allow for delegation of the decision to participate in research to a representative who can act as a surrogate decision-maker. However, this approach has been questioned by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), according to which all persons with disabilities, regardless of their mental or neurological condition, always have universal legal capacity to make decisions. The incompatibility between ethical standards and the CRPD is clear and impacts the conduct of research involving people with mental disabilities, which is essential for the improvement of their health and well-being. This article advances a proposal that seeks to reconcile the CRPD with ethical standards for informed consent processes in research and provides practical recommendations, especially for Latin American countries that still face challenges in implementing the CRPD in the research field.

Governance Considerations of Adversarial Attacks on AI Systems

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into various aspects of daily life, but its susceptibility to adversarial attacks poses significant governance challenges. This paper explores the nature of these attacks, where malicious actors manipulate input data to deceive AI algorithms and their profound implications for individuals and society. Adversarial attacks can undermine critical AI applications, such as facial recognition and natural language processing, leading to privacy violations, biased outcomes, and eroding public trust. The discussion emphasizes understanding the threat vectors associated with adversarial attacks and their potential repercussions. It advocates for robust governance frameworks encompassing risk management, oversight, and legislative measures to protect AI systems. Such frameworks should prioritize AI technologies' confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) while ensuring compliance with ethical standards. Furthermore, the paper examines various strategies for mitigating risks associated with adversarial attacks, including training and continuous monitoring of AI systems. It highlights the importance of accountability among developers and researchers in implementing preventive measures that align with principles of transparency and fairness. Organizations can enhance security and foster public trust by integrating legislative frameworks into AI development standards. As AI technologies evolve, continuous review of governance practices is essential to address emerging threats effectively. This paper ultimately focuses on the critical role of comprehensive governance in safeguarding AI systems against adversarial attacks, ensuring that technological advancements benefit society while minimizing risks.

Critical Analysis of Nursing Ethics and Professional Standards

Nursing has a robust system of ethics that directs the operations and productivity of its professionals about patients. Ethical principles in nursing and a code of ethics are applicable in determining nurses' behaviour, decisions, and ethical concerns in clinical practice. This revised and expanded review synthesizes current literature about the ethical perspectives and relevant codes that inform the nursing profession, examines obstacles preventing compliance, and reviews the effects of ethical decisions on clients. Besides, the paper explores the dynamic aspect of nursing ethics about technologies, culture, and healthcare systems. The results indicate that there is a set of nursing ethics that guide nursing practice, but practical ethics experiences remain a challenge and, therefore, require constant training and counselling. The authors have concluded the paper with recommendations for how the ethics for nursing and professionalism of nursing could be developed more effectively so that the ethical requirements of the profession can be met in the context of the growing complexity of tomorrow's healthcare system.

Students' Direct and Deferred Concept Understanding and Self-Efficacy Using the Inverted Learning Approach in Biology

The increasing availability of data and technological advancements, along with the influx of various educational platforms, reflects the evolving knowledge acquisition and transfer paradigm in the digital age. This highlights the need for educators and institutions to adapt their approaches and recognise the significance of harnessing educational technology as a powerful tool to promote the widespread adoption of flexible online learning. An Inverted Learning Approach (ILA) is an innovative pedagogical design that maximises off-class learning by providing students with access to instructional resources. This allows students to self-pace their learning and become more independent and ready for in-class activities. The study followed a quasi-experimental study, employing a two-group pre-test and post-test controlled group design. It zeroed in on determining how ILA affects the direct and deferred concept understanding and self-efficacy of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students enrolled in a biology course. The use of ILA was the treatment given to the experimental or intervention group, while the Expository Online Teaching (EOT) was given to the comparison group. A total of 287 STEM students were involved in the study and taught by the same teacher to maintain parity of conditions except for the treatment. Informed consent and assent forms were likewise collected as required by the Research Ethics Board to safeguard the research participants, monitor likely risks and benefits, and establish high ethical standards where the study was conducted. Gagne’s nine instructional events were designed in the learning plan to develop a clear instruction flow between the two groups. The students' levels of direct and deferred concept understanding were measured using the Researcher-validated Biology Achievement Test (RBAT) on the pre-test, post-test, and postponed test, and the results were analysed using ANOVA and post-hoc tests. Results revealed that students taught using ILA had significantly higher mean gains in post-test and retention test scores than those taught using the EOT. The level of self-efficacy among ILA students has also shown a significant increment compared to their counterparts. In other words, ILA significantly improved students' direct and deferred concept understanding and self-efficacy.

The Effectiveness of Electronic Medical Records (RME) On Hospital Service Quality

This study investigates The Medical Record Department (MRD) plays a pivotal role in the hospital administration framework at Shri Balaji Hospital, ensuring the efficient management and organization of patient health data. As an essential component of healthcare delivery, the MRD is responsible for maintaining accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date records for all patients treated at the facility. This includes not only clinical data such as diagnosis, treatment plans, and surgical histories, but also administrative information vital for billing, insurance, and regulatory compliance. At Shri Balaji Hospital, the MRD operates under strict protocols to guarantee the confidentiality and security of patient records in accordance with legal and ethical standards. The department is crucial for the coordination of multidisciplinary care, as it facilitates the timely and accurate sharing of medical information between healthcare professionals, thus ensuring continuity of care and improving patient outcomes. The MRD also plays a significant role in hospital operations by supporting functions such as audits, quality control, and risk management. It ensures that the hospital adheres to national healthcare standards, including those set by accrediting bodies and government regulations. In this regard, the department’s meticulous record-keeping supports the hospital’s efforts in continuous quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.

ENGENHARIA E POLÍTICAS AMBIENTAIS: ALINHAMENTO ÉTICO ENTRE PRÁTICAS DE ENGENHARIA E REGULAMENTAÇÕES

This academic work analyzes engineering practices and their potential for alignment with environmental policies. The objective of this article is to analyze engineering practices with the aim of minimizing operational challenges, identifying their causes and impacts. The methodology involves reviewing scientific articles, academic books and specialized magazines, with the aim of deepening the study. This research reveals that engineering practices often diverge from ethical standards and principles due to a lack of alignment with regulations, motivated, in many cases, by the desire to avoid additional costs and changes to projects.

How to catch the investor’s eye when going green in the Spanish hospitality industry

The growing integration of environmental sustainability within the hospitality industry, driven by both ethical and financial motivations, underscores the need to understand the investment criteria valued by stakeholders. However, limited research exists on how investors specifically evaluate sustainable investments in this sector. Drawing on existing literature that highlights the positive financial and operational impacts of sustainability initiatives, this study investigates factors influencing sustainable investment decisions in the Spanish hospitality sector. Grounded in focus group interviews conducted with a representative sample of investors aligned with the current structure of investment practices in the Spanish hospitality industry, this study employs an adapted concept mapping methodology enhanced by consensus analysis using the global index of consensus indicator. This approach enables the quantitative measurement of consensus among investors, providing a structured view of the criteria shaping sustainable investment choices. Findings reveal that while financial motivations continue to dominate investment decisions, environmental considerations are becoming increasingly significant, particularly those aligning with consumer expectations and stakeholder engagement in sustainable practices. Results suggest that environmentally friendly initiatives must demonstrate clear economic benefits to attract investment; sustainability must be financially viable. By aligning environmental goals with profitability, sustainable investments can appeal to a broader range of investors, promoting responsible practices in the hospitality sector while ensuring long-term returns.

EXPERT COMMENTARY: Communication between Psychiatrists and Patients Regarding Placebo and Nocebo

<p dir="ltr"><span>In this insightful commentary, Prof. Dr. Michael Davidson delves into the nuanced dynamics of placebo and nocebo effects in psychiatric treatments, with a focus on communication strategies between psychiatrists and patients. He explores the balance required in presenting the benefits and potential adverse effects of psychotropic drugs while enhancing therapeutic outcomes and minimizing nocebo risks.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The commentary highlights the critical role of non-specific factors such as physician communication, patient conditioning, and natural disease progression in amplifying treatment efficacy. Prof. Davidson also underscores the ethical and practical dilemmas faced by psychiatrists in daily practice, such as the fine line between full disclosure and mitigating nocebo effects, especially in conditions like Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), where placebo response can significantly influence outcomes. By examining established and emerging treatments, including SSRIs, ECT, and psychedelics, Prof. Davidson offers a comprehensive perspective on the evolving clinical skills required to manage placebo and nocebo effects effectively, ensuring both adherence to ethical standards and the best possible patient care.</span></p><div><span><br /></span></div>

Safe, Transparent, and Ethical Artificial Intelligence

The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into educational environments necessitates a structured framework to ensure its safe and ethical use. A manifesto outlining seven core principles for safe AI in education has been proposed, emphasizing the protection of student data, alignment with institutional strategies, adherence to didactic practices, minimization of errors, comprehensive user interfaces, human oversight, and ethical transparency. These principles are designed to guide the deployment of AI technologies in educational settings, addressing potential risks such as privacy violations, misuse, and over-reliance on technology. Smart Learning Applications (SLApps) are also introduced, integrating AI into the existing institutional technological ecosystem, with special attention to the learning management systems, enabling secure, role-adaptive, and course-specific learning experiences. While large language models like GPT offer transformative potential in education, they also present challenges related to accuracy, ethical use, and pedagogical alignment. To navigate these complexities, a checklist based on the Safe AI in Education principles is recommended, providing educators and institutions with a framework to evaluate AI tools, ensuring they support academic integrity, enhance learning experiences, and uphold ethical standards.

Ethical Implications of AI-Driven Decision-Making in Cloud-Based Services

This paper explores the ethical implications of AI-driven decision-making in cloud-based services, highlighting key concerns such as algorithmic bias, data privacy, accountability, and transparency. As AI systems become increasingly embedded in cloud infrastructures, they raise significant ethical challenges that must be addressed to ensure responsible and fair deployment. The paper examines emerging trends, including explainable AI (XAI), automated fairness tools, and the importance of data governance, which offer solutions to mitigate these challenges. However, it also identifies ongoing issues such as bias in AI models, inadequate data privacy protection, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and the lack of a consistent global regulatory framework. A survey of industry stakeholders reveals that data privacy and algorithmic bias are perceived as the most pressing challenges. The paper also discusses strategies to overcome these issues, such as fostering collaboration across stakeholders, investing in continuous monitoring, and developing global ethical standards for AI systems. Ultimately, the paper calls for a multi-faceted approach combining innovation, regulation, and accountability to ensure that AI-driven decision-making in cloud-based services is ethical, transparent, and beneficial for all stakeholders.

An Overview of Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction Policy for Conventional Boiler Power Sector

This study follows the logic of policy transmission and begins with the characteristics of China's energy efficiency and emission reduction policy. Conclusions are drawn through a literature review, PESTEL analysis, and comparative analysis using German energy policies. The study then selected ABC Ltd. representing conventional boiler companies. Conclusions were drawn through literature review, CP/CI analysis, and comparative analysis of vapor and capacity parameters, boiler selection, and some emission technologies that meet ethical and sustainable standards, but Selective Non-catalytic Reduction (SNCR) technology is unethical and unsustainable. A-GROUP's ultra-supercritical power generation technology leads the industry and has a worldwide competitive advantage. The final analysis of the policy reaches down to grassroots participation. A literature review of A-GROUP's circulating fluidized bed technology and biomass combustion suggests that farmers can participate to some extent in boiler-related energy efficiency and emission reduction efforts but with a single means with limited information feedback channels. To conclude, energy efficiency and emission reduction policies are working smoothly for the boiler industry, but there is still much potential for improvement.

Whakaora, Pae Ora

The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Act 2019 and the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 have had major implications for the delivery of health services in Aotearoa New Zealand, especially with regard to equity of provision and delivery and to engaging and working with Māori as tangata whenua. As part of the previous New Zealand government’s restructuring of the health service, the Pae Ora Act set out certain principles for the health sector which this article discusses and applies to psychotherapy, and, specifically, with reference to two ethical codes and the standards of ethics for psychotherapists working in Aotearoa New Zealand. Notwithstanding the fact that the current New Zealand Parliament, dominated by the coalition government elected in October 2023, has repealed that part of the Pae Ora Act that established a separate Māori Health Authority as a way of delivering better outcomes, its principles remain in place and are important for psychotherapists practicing as health practitioners in this country.

There is no place for Tobacco Industry sponsorship in Continuing Professional Development

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) plays a key role in ensuring that health professionals maintain competence in their professional roles. The delivery of CPD requires provision of education and information that is independent of vested interests. Recent efforts by the Tobacco Industry to move into provision and sponsorship of CPD for doctors represents an ethical challenge and potentially contravenes South Africa’s obligations under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The College of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) has taken the position that there is no place for tobacco company sponsorship of CPD activities in light of its mandate to promote the highest degree of skill and efficiency in medical and dental practice and to advance the highest ethical standards and professional conduct in the profession. This position is in line with the CMSA’s position on sponsorship of its own CPD activities and we urge other health institutions to adopt a similar approach. The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) should issue guidelines to CPD accreditors to exclude tobacco company-sponsored activities from HPCSA-accredited CPD. This is particularly important at this point while South Africa’s parliament is considering further legislation to control tobacco-related harms.

Assessing the Role of Professional Reference Groups in Shaping Ethical Standards in Financial Accounting Practices for Effective Service Delivery in Nigeria

This study aimed to assess the role of professional reference groups, specifically the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), in shaping ethical standards for financial accounting practices in Nigeria. The research identified critical issues regarding the effectiveness of these groups in establishing and enforcing ethical guidelines, which are essential for the integrity of financial reporting. The statement of the problem highlighted challenges such as inadequate enforcement mechanisms, limited resources, and the need for a more cohesive approach to ethical compliance among accountants. A quantitative research methodology was adopted, involving a structured questionnaire distributed to 751 accredited firms of chartered accountants in Nigeria. The sample size was determined using Taro Yamane's formula, ensuring a representative data collection process. The analysis revealed that professional reference groups significantly influence ethical standards and the behavior of accountants. Major findings indicated that while the ethical guidelines set by ICAN and ANAN are effective in promoting ethical behavior, enforcement challenges persist, undermining their impact. Additionally, the study found that these groups positively influence organizational culture, enhancing the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting. The conclusion emphasized the importance of strengthening enforcement mechanisms and continuous training for accountants to uphold ethical standards. Recommendations included improving enforcement practices, offering regular training programs, fostering collaboration with regulatory authorities, and promoting an ethical culture within organizations. By addressing these issues, professional reference groups can enhance their effectiveness and ensure greater compliance with ethical standards, ultimately contributing to the overall performance and trustworthiness of the accounting profession in Nigeria.

The Influence of Regulatory Framework and Environmental Factors on Accounting Practices by Companies in Ghana

This paper explores the influence of regulatory frameworks and environmental factors on the accounting practices of companies in Ghana. It emphasizes the critical role of a robust regulatory environment, maintained by bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in ensuring transparency and consistency in financial reporting. The adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) has been pivotal in aligning Ghanaian accounting practices with global standards, although challenges remain in terms of implementation and compliance. Additionally, environmental factors such as economic conditions, technological advancements, sociocultural influences, and political stability significantly impact accounting practices. Economic stability encourages rigorous accounting standards, while technological advancements enhance the accuracy and efficiency of financial reporting. Sociocultural factors, including the education and professional development of accountants, and ethical standards, shape the quality of accounting practices. Political stability and effective legal systems are essential for enforcing accounting standards. This study provides valuable insights for regulators, policymakers, and practitioners, highlighting the need for continuous improvement in the regulatory framework and addressing environmental challenges to enhance the quality and reliability of financial reporting in Ghana.

Automated Machine Learning: A Survey of Tools and Techniques

Automated Machine Learning (AutoML) has revolutionized the field of machine learning by automating complex and time-intensive tasks such as data preprocessing, model selection, and hyperparameter tuning. This study explores the capabilities, limitations, and practical applications of six widely used AutoML tools: Auto-sklearn, TPOT, H2O.ai, Google Cloud AutoML, Microsoft Azure AutoML, and Amazon SageMaker Autopilot. By evaluating these tools across diverse datasets—spanning tabular data, time series, image classification, and text sentiment analysis—the research highlights their predictive performance, computational efficiency, scalability, and explainability. Proprietary tools demonstrated superior scalability and efficiency through cloud integration, while open-source platforms provided more interpretability and flexibility. However, challenges such as lack of transparency in advanced neural architecture search mechanisms and ethical considerations, including bias mitigation, remain prevalent. This study concludes that while AutoML tools significantly lower the barrier to entry for machine learning, ongoing advancements are required to balance performance, usability, and ethical standards, making AutoML an integral solution for real-world applications.