Integrity Of Scientific Research Research Articles

Challenges of adhering to scientific research ethics in the artificial intelligence applications- a study on a sample of algerian researchers

This study aims to explore the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the accuracy and efficiency of scientific research, while focusing on the ethical challenges associated with it. It also seeks to assess the level of awareness of AI ethics among Algerian researchers and the adequacy of current policies in dealing with these challenges, such as issues of plagiarism, privacy violation, and biased results. This will provide a deeper understanding of the reality of scientific research in Algeria in light of rapid technological developments. An electronic questionnaire was used, targeting a group of Algerian researchers, reaching a sample size of 623 individuals. Through this questionnaire, we aimed to collect data that would enable us to provide recommendations to enhance the responsible and ethical use of AI tools while maintaining the integrity and reliability of scientific research. The study found that the respondents demonstrated varying levels of awareness of the ethical implications of using AI in their research, with a lack of adequate training and resources to help researchers deal with the ethical complexities of AI-based research. The study also confirms that current ethical policies and regulations in Algeria are insufficient to effectively address the challenges posed by AI. This calls for the establishment of a comprehensive legal framework in the near future and the updating of ethical guidelines to regulate the use of AI in academic research.

Integrated Development of Scientific Research Management and Ideological and Political Education in the New Era -- Take Hainan Vocational University of Science and Technology as an example

Under the background of the new era, the integrated development of scientific research management and ideological and political education in universities has become an important way to improve the quality of higher education and cultivate all-round high-quality talents. This paper aims to explore the internal connection and the necessity and feasibility of scientific research management and ideological and political education in the new era, and put forward corresponding strategies and suggestions. Taking Hainan Vocational University of Science and Technology as an example, through analyzing the current situation, challenges and opportunities of scientific research management and ideological and political education, this paper emphasizes the guidance of scientific research and the deep integration of scientific research and education, so as to provide strong support for the realization of the goal of three comprehensive education in universities.

Ethics statements in Rheumatology journals: present practices and future directions.

Ethics statements are an essential aspect of research reporting. They aim to ensure the integrity and credibility of scientific research by maintaining high standards of professionalism and placing a strong emphasis on human well-being. Adhering to ethical norms is crucial for promoting data sharing, reproducibility, and overall research integrity. Ethics statements generally include adherence to legislation, disclosure of conflicts of interest, transparency in funding, standards of authorship, ethical treatment of research participants, and the management of sensitive data. The ICMJE, WAME, and COPE organizations offer recommendations to ensure the maintenance of these standards. The significant increase in publication volume in rheumatology research, along with the rise of social media and artificial intelligence, presents new and complex difficulties that require establishing clearer and universally accepted ethical guidelines. Rheumatology journals should prioritize the development of cohesive ethical principles as well as the encouragement of uniform ethics training for researchers, editors, and publishers.

Harnessing artificial intelligence for efficient systematic reviews: A case study in ecosystem condition indicators

Effective evidence synthesis is important for the integration of scientific research into decision-making. However, fully depicting the vast mosaic of concepts and applications in environmental sciences and ecology often entails a substantial workload. New Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools present an attractive option for addressing this challenge but require sufficient validation to match the vigorous standards of a systematic review. This article demonstrates the use of generative AI in the selection of relevant literature as part of a systematic review on indicators of ecosystem condition. We highlight, through the development of an optimal prompt to communicate inclusion and exclusion criteria, the need to describe ecosystem condition as a multidimensional concept whilst also maintaining clarity on what does not meet the criteria of comprehensiveness. We show that, although not completely infallible, the GPT-3.5 model significantly outperforms traditional literature screening processes in terms of speed and efficiency whilst correctly selecting 83 % of relevant literature for review. Our study highlights the importance of precision in prompt design and the setting of query parameters for the AI model and opens the perspective for future work using language models to contextualize complex concepts in the environmental sciences. Future development of this methodology in tandem with the continued evolution of the accessibility and capacity of AI tools presents a great potential to improve evidence synthesis through gains in efficiency and possible scope.

Analysing Consequences of Aquaculture in Coastal Water Bodies of Ba Ria– Vung Tau, Vietnam on Sustainable Development Goals for Environmental Management

Aquaculture is vital for global food security and economic growth, particularly in coastal regions like Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Vietnam. This province has seen significant aquaculture growth, with production rising from 10,687 tons in 2010 to 20,486 tons in 2022. Key species farmed include brackish water shrimp, marine finfish, and mollusks, using methods such as cage culture, pond farming, and Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). However, aquaculture poses environmental challenges, including conflicts over coastal space, waste management, and habitat degradation. Species like oysters and mussels help improve water quality and support balanced ecosystems, while marine finfish farming can cause nutrient overload and eutrophication. Sustainable practices like IMTA, waste management, and sustainable feed use are essential to mitigate these impacts. Aligning aquaculture with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), is crucial for sustainable coastal management. This requires robust regulations, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and the integration of scientific research into policy. By ensuring aquaculture practices support SDGs, Ba Ria – Vung Tau can enhance environmental stewardship, economic resilience, and the sustainable coexistence of human activities with marine ecosystems.

Knowledge and Practices Related to Research Misconduct among Healthcare Researchers in India: Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Practices known to harm the integrity of scientific and medical research during planning, conduct, documentation, and reporting are termed as research misconduct. It is an unfortunate, prevalent reality of the research world. In the present study, we tried to assess the knowledge about research misconduct, its determinants, observed practices of research misconduct among healthcare practitioners, level of satisfaction with the order of authorship in one’s published manuscript, and their views for action to be taken against those involved in research misconduct in our institution. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited eligible participants (Faculty Members and Senior Residents of Medical, Dental, and Nursing Professionals) through one-to-one interviews and web-based platforms. Data analysis was conducted by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 23(SPSS-23). Result: Of the 356 participants, around 60% had complete knowledge about research misconduct, and 74.2% had observed research misconduct in their workplace at some point in time. There was no association between correct knowledge about research misconduct and the type of healthcare researchers, awareness of the International Committee of Journal of Medical Ethics (ICJME), and training on good clinical practices. 54.8% of the participants considered those involved in research misconduct should not be permitted to be co-guide and guide of students. Conclusion: Training of healthcare researchers on publication ethics and good clinical practice guidelines seems to improve knowledge about research misconduct. Further, stringent action should be taken against those who conduct research misconduct.

Extensions of open science for applied behavior analysis: Preregistration for single-case experimental designs.

Open science practices are designed to enhance the utility, integrity, and credibility of scientific research. This article highlights how preregistration in open science practice can be leveraged to enhance the rigor and transparency of single-case experimental designs within an applied behavior analysis framework. We provide an overview of the benefits of preregistration including increased transparency, reduced risk of researcher bias, and improved replicability, and we review the specific contexts under which these practices most benefit the proposed framework. We discuss potential concerns with and unique considerations for preregistering experiments that use single-case designs, with practical guidance for researchers who are seeking to preregister their studies. We present a checklist as a tool for researchers in applied behavior analysis to use for preregistration and provide recommendations for our field to strengthen the contingencies for open science practices that include preregistration.

Scientific misconduct responsibility attribution: An empirical study on byline position and team identity in Chinese medical papers.

The primary objective of this inquiry was to explore the nexus between authorship attribution in medical literature and accountability for scientific impropriety while assessing the influence of authorial multiplicity on the severity of sanctions imposed. Probit regression models were employed to scrutinize the impact of authorship on assuming accountability for scientific misconduct, and unordered multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the influence of authorship and the number of bylines on the severity of punitive measures. First authors and corresponding authors were significantly more likely to be liable for scientific misconduct than other authors and were more likely to be penalized particularly severely. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between the number of authors' affiliations and the severity of punitive measures. Authorship exerts a pronounced influence on the attribution of accountability in scientific research misconduct, particularly evident in the heightened risk of severe penalties confronting first and corresponding authors owing to their principal roles. Hence, scientific research institutions and journals must delineate authorship specifications meticulously, ascertain authors' contributions judiciously, bolster initiatives aimed at fostering scientific research integrity, and uphold an environment conducive for robust scientific inquiry.

Integrity at stake: confronting "publish or perish" in the developing world and emerging economies.

The scientific community faces significant ethical challenges due to the "publish or perish" culture, particularly in developing and emerging economies. This paper explores the widespread unethical practices in scientific publishing, including the sale of authorships, the proliferation of "paper mills," and the misuse of artificial intelligence to produce fraudulent research. These practices undermine the integrity of scientific research, skew publication metrics, and distort academic rankings. This study examines various instances of academic fraud, emphasizing the impact on low-income countries, with specific cases from Latin America. Recommendations include stricter verification of authorship, disciplinary measures for scientific fraud, and policies promoting transparency and accountability in research. Addressing these challenges is crucial for maintaining the integrity and credibility of scientific endeavors globally.

A Critical Analysis of Falsification as Fraud

This paper critically evaluates the classification of research-related fraudulent activities, with an emphasis on the specific misconduct falsification. The analysis begins by interrogating the assumption that all acts of fraud in research are intentional, suggesting that some instances may inadvertently arise during the course of scholarly activities. Misconducts like fabrication and falsification are categorized as fraudulent primarily due to their generation during research activities and their direct contribution to the distortion of scientific knowledge. Plagiarism, while deceptive, does not necessarily originate from the research process nor lead directly to such distortion, and therefore is not classified as de facto fraud. The paper proposes that the definition of falsification – as established by the PHS – requires refinement to prevent wrongful allegations and convictions, enhance transparency, and offer clearer guidelines. This nuanced understanding is vital for safeguarding the credibility of the research process and protecting scientists from unfounded career-damaging accusations. Ultimately, this paper advocates for a clearer definition of falsification to protect the integrity of scientific research and prevent the miscarriage of justice.

He Jiankui’s unprecedented offense and worrying comeback: how the CRISPR-babies scandal reshaped the legal governance of scientific research in China

ABSTRACT Scientific scandals are catalysts for the evolution process of legal governance. The 2018 CRISPR-babies Incident has essentially triggered China's legal reforms of ethics governance in science and technology. This paper explores the institutional deficiency that led to such a scandal, analyzes its long-term implications for legal governance, and presents China's recent legal progress in response to such an issue. The rapid legislative response to the CRISPR-babies Incident is a double-edged sword, while promoting the improvement of the legal system, it can also cause issues like fragmentation of governance, contradictory rules, and conflict of interest. China should integrate departmental norms and upgrade its level of effectiveness. Strengthening legislation is the implementation path, and improving ethical review, supervision and scientific research integrity systems are the crucial means. In addition, it is necessary to bring the coordinating function of the Central Science and Technology Commission into full play and pay more attention to public engagement and international cooperation.

Transforming Toxic Research Cultures: Protecting the Future of Medical Students and Early Career Researchers – Part I

Have you ever felt your passion for research slowly erode under the weight of unfair practices and relentless pressure to publish? Or been denied authorship credit for work you tirelessly contributed to? If so, you are not alone. This is the harsh reality for many medical students and early career researchers trapped in a “toxic research culture.” This hidden crisis undermines the integrity of medical research and jeopardizes the well-being and career prospects of those eager to advance science. Despite its prevalence, this issue remains shrouded in silence, propagating cycles of harm and hampering scientific progress. This editorial explores the evolution of medical research culture, defines the harmful practices that constitute a toxic environment, and highlights the vulnerability of junior researchers to such practices. Manifestations of toxicity, including bullying, harassment, and unethical authorship practices, are analyzed along with their detrimental impacts on mental health. Current policies and strategies for promoting a healthier research environment are discussed. We highlight the urgent need for reforms, including the promotion of whistleblowing without fear, diversifying leadership, revising evaluation criteria, and implementing educational interventions on research ethics as a preventive measure. Additionally, we explore the impact of fake mentors within academia, advising vigilance against individuals who exploit their roles for personal agendas rather than genuine mentorship. Through a call to action, we urge stakeholders and institutions to safeguard junior researchers and uphold the integrity of scientific research. IJMS plays a crucial role in this transformation by promoting mentorship, ethical practices, and accessible research.

Integration of Islamic Studies on Reproductive Physiology at UIN Syekh Ali Hasan Ahmad Addary Padangsidimpuan

The aim of this research is to analyze the integration of Islamic studies in the study of the biology of the human reproductive system at the Syekh Ali Hasan Ahmad Addary Padangsidimpuan National Islamic University. This research uses a qualitative descriptive approach through field research, using an integrated scientific and Islamic approach through verses from the Al-Qur’an about reproductive physiology.The results and discussion of this research show that the learning process implemented has not fully achieved the integration of science and Islam in biology learning. This can be seen from the results of a questionnaire conducted by the Whatss group of 20 students which was distributed to the 6th semester biology student group, that every sub-discussion of material related to the reproductive system previously had not fully integrated uluhiyah learning. information contained in the Koran. The process has not been completely perfected. This research recommends the integration of science and Islam in Islamic higher education studies. The moral message instilled in students is not only about learning biology as a secular science, but can also increase awareness about the integration of scientific research in the world and the future.

What remains to be discovered: A global assessment of tree species inventory completeness

AbstractAimRecent unprecedented efforts to digitise and mobilise biodiversity data have resulted in the generation of ‘biodiversity big data’, enabling ecological research at scales previously not possible. However, gaps, biases and uncertainties in these data influence analytical outcomes and the validity of scientific research and conservation actions. Here, we estimated tree species inventory completeness globally and identified where future surveys should focus to maximise regional inventories.LocationGlobal.MethodsWe analysed spatial patterns in sampling effort of tree species occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity and Information Facility (GBIF) and estimated global tree species inventory completeness for 100 × 100 km grid cells (sampling units) and ecoregions. We also identified forested areas for future botanical exploration, by examining the spatial overlap between inventory completeness, remaining natural habitat and protected areas and degrees of forest modification by anthropogenic pressure (forest integrity).ResultsSpatial patterns in sampling effort and tree species inventory completeness were unevenly distributed around the world. Only 35% of ecoregions and 18% of sampling units can be considered well surveyed, most of which were concentrated in the Global North, including Europe, North America and Australia. Large areas in species‐rich tropical regions, especially in Southeast Asia, remained poorly documented. Moreover, our results showed that many areas with low inventory completeness overlapped with ecoregions retaining less than 50% of natural habitat and protected land area, as well as sampling units with low forest integrity.Main ConclusionsDue to limitations in biodiversity data, simply sampling more will not necessarily lead to increasing knowledge. We illustrated how gaps in these data can be used to improve existing knowledge by identifying priority areas for future surveys. With ongoing anthropogenic impacts and escalating rates of biodiversity loss, limited resources should be allocated to strategically survey regions likely to yield new knowledge and improve biodiversity representativeness.

Exploring Rajaswala Paricharya: A Holistic Ayurvedic Perspective on Women's Well-being

Within Ayurveda, menstruation is viewed as a natural physiological process regulated by Doshas, necessitating specific lifestyle adjustments known as Rajaswala Paricharya to maintain women's health and potentially safeguard the well-being of future generations. Despite its intrinsic importance, contemporary awareness and adherence to Rajaswala Paricharya have waned, partly due to the dissemination of misinformation by media and menstrual product manufacturers. While global health initiatives prioritize adolescent reproductive health and sanitation, they often overlook the traditional practices advocated by Ayurveda. Ayurvedic practitioners play a crucial role in advocating for Rajaswala Paricharya to fortify female reproductive health, aiming to prevent Dosha imbalances, Ama formation, and fortify Agni. By encouraging adherence to these guidelines, women may experience reduced menstrual symptoms and better navigate the physiological and psychological changes associated with menstruation. Furthermore, the integration of modern scientific research could provide empirical validation for the efficacy of Rajaswala Paricharya, reinforcing its significance in contemporary women's health practices. Thus, fostering a positive perception and adherence to Rajaswala Paricharya is paramount for empowering women and promoting holistic well-being.

Metasynthesis of Strategies Mode for Activating Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTs) of University Students

Countries around the world are increasingly emphasizing the research and cultivation of higher-order thinking abilities, and have proposed various teaching strategies and methods. Researchers have developed various methods, strategies, and related activities to cultivate higher-order thinking in response to this issue, such as "scaffolding teaching", "heuristic teaching", "project-based teaching", "building collaborative learning", and "diverse evaluation feedback". However, current research on teaching strategies mostly focuses on methodology or teaching principles, lacking a teaching strategy model to guide teachers in specific teaching processes and designs. This study conducted a comprehensive integration of previous scientific research, aiming to summarize the strategic models for activating college students' HOTs in the past three years. By using Scopus, Science Direct, and Springer search agents for in-depth filtering, a total of 6 articles were selected. Data screening, evaluation, and CBA use two keywords, and the article is published from around 2020 to 2023. The research results indicate that in addition to the aforementioned teaching strategies, some emerging teaching models are also being widely explored and applied. The flipped learning teaching model shifts the knowledge imparted in the classroom to independent learning after class, while using classroom time to guide students in discussions and practice. Smart classrooms utilize modern technological means to provide a highly interactive and personalized learning environment. The blended learning model combines online and offline learning, fully utilizing the advantages of technology. The evidence-based teaching method emphasizes guiding teaching decisions and practices through scientific research and empirical data. These teaching strategies can effectively improve the higher-order thinking ability of college students. Therefore, integrated research has investigated some specific methods and strategy models for activating higher-order thinking skills among college students in recent years. These methods and strategy models are of great significance to educational practitioners and can provide reference for the teaching of HOTs.

Ethical and Legal Implications of Data Sharing in SaaS Laboratory Management Systems

Over the years, the use of Software as a Service (SaaS) in a laboratory information management system has transformed sharing and management in the latter system. Such a transformation, however, brings along complex ethical and legal challenges for which scrutiny is supposed to be considered. Implication for adopting SaaS platforms includes fundamental concern about data privacy, security, and the overall integrity of scientific research. The paper systematically analyses ethical and legal implications associated with data sharing through SaaS platforms in the management of laboratories. This thus revolves around the understanding of how these systems can handle key aspects such as data ownership, respect for privacy, and compliance with international laws, and the resultant effects these would have on respective stakeholders across the scientific community. We, in this approach, have reviewed a wide range of literature, including fine details of case studies and views by experts, in light of current practices and challenges within SaaS-based laboratory management. We incorporate all these methods within the research to provide an integral view of the multidimensional ethical and legal landscaping, therefore delivering an approach with both depth and context to the analysis. It was mainly, regarding informed consent, and a very complex legal challenge emphasized in this study for compliance with GDPR, along with data confidentiality, respectively, for compliance with HIPAA. The study focused on the non-existence or lack of uniformity of regulatory frameworks that can provide for the special characteristics of SaaS data management and cross-border data flows.

A narrative review of the phenomenon of predatory journals to create awareness among researchers in veterinary medicine.

In recent years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of predatory journals has increased significantly. Predatory journals exploit the "open-access model" by engaging in deceptive practices such as charging high publication fees without providing the expected quality and performing insufficient or no peer review. Such behaviors undermine the integrity of scientific research and can result in researchers having trouble identifying reputable publication opportunities, particularly early-career researchers who struggle to understand and establish the correct criteria for publication in reputable journals. Publishing in journals that do not fully cover the criteria for scientific publication is also an ethical issue. This review aimed to describe the characteristics of predatory journals, differentiate between reliable and predatory journals, investigate the reasons that lead researchers to publish in predatory journals, evaluate the negative impact of predatory publications on the scientific community, and explore future perspectives. The authors also provide some considerations for researchers (particularly early-career researchers) when selecting journals for publication, explaining the role of metrics, databases, and artificial intelligence in manuscript preparation, with a specific focus on and relevance to publication in veterinary medicine.

Ethics and integrity challenges during COVID-19 in China

This paper describes a scoping review of China’s academic resource databases, relevant official websites, news reports and public accounts spanning a period from the end of 2019 to the end of 2022, to investigate the challenges in scientific integrity and ethical soundness of research conducted during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic in China. By conducting the scoping review with keywords related to the research questions in Chinese, relevant data were extracted and classified into four categories: challenges in research, challenges in ethics review, challenges in publishing academic work, and research ethics guidelines during and after the pandemic. The paper points out that problematic studies and findings increased with the escalation in medical research projects during the pandemic in China. The situation faced by researchers was more difficult than before the pandemic. The mode of informed consent, and ethics review and oversight systems also underwent changes. In addition, Traditional Chinese Medicine as an alternative medical treatment for COVID-19, attracted attention from the research community and became a topic of discussion. We conclude that the various challenges and concerns identified indicate a need for a proper and timely response system be formulated in preparation for possible future occurrences of new pandemics or other critical situations.

Fostering scientific integrity and research ethics in a science-for-policy research organisation

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is the European Commission’s in-house science and knowledge service, employing a substantial staff of scientists devoted to conducting research to provide independent scientific advice for EU policy. Focussed on various research areas aligned with EU priorities, the JRC excels in delivering scientific evidence for policymaking and has published numerous science-for-policy reports and scientific articles. Drawing on a scientific integrity statement, surveys among JRC’s research staff, and thematic discussions with JRC’s research leaders, the JRC has developed a comprehensive Scientific Integrity and Research Ethics (SIRE) framework, including instruments, procedures, and guidelines to ensure high standards and independence in its research. Key components of the SIRE framework include a Scientific Integrity Officer, an Editorial Review Board, a Research Ethics Board, and guidelines for responsible conduct of research. This article provides an overview of the JRC’s SIRE framework and how it was developed, emphasising the importance of maintaining independence, integrity, and ethics in scientific research that supports EU policy. The article also discusses potential gaps in the framework and where additional efforts may be needed, comparing with the recent U.S. National Science and Technology Council report on Protecting the Integrity of Government Science.