Journal Review Research Articles

REVIEW: Defending the right to confidential sources and whistleblowers

Journalists and Confidential Sources: Colliding Public Interests in the Age of the Leak, by Joseph M Fernandez. Routledge Research on Journalism Series. Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 2021. 287 pages. ISBN 9780367474126 IN 2015, media law professor Joseph M. Fernandez co-authored a comprehensive article for Pacific Journalism Review (Fernandez & Pearson, 2015) about the status of Australia’s shield law regime, drawing on his research to see whether it met journalists’ expectations and whistleblower needs in an era of unprecedented official capabilities. It didn’t, as can be seen from growing concerns over court cases that, according to the peak journalists’ organisation Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA), ‘clearly demonstrate Australia’s patchy and desperate journalist shields fail to do their job’.

War on Palestine: How the fates of Gaza and Julian Assange are sealed together

Commentary: Were they being properly reported, two critically important court hearings in February 2024, in London and The Hague, would expose the US ‘rules-based order’ as a hollow sham. Both posed globe-spanning threats to our most basic freedoms. Neither received more than perfunctory coverage in Western establishment media such as the BBC. One was a week-long hearing by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over a United Nations General Assembly request for an advisory opinion over Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories and the other was a last-ditch appeal of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange against efforts by the United States to extradite him so that he can be locked away for the rest of his life. EDITORIAL NOTE: After the editorial of Pacific Journalism Review and the lead article in this edition (Vol 30, No 1&2) about the fate of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange were printed, the Australian journalist was set free and he arrived back in Australia after a plea bargain. The winner of his country’s Walkley Award for journalism excellence, Assange was freed by a US federal court in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, on 26 June 2024 after a plea bargain to plead guilty to one charge of violating the US Espionage Act and the judge sentenced him to 62 months, jail time already served in the UK on remand. His 14-year struggle for freedom was over, but his lawyers say they will press for a full US presidential pardon.

War on Palestine: How the fates of Gaza and Julian Assange are sealed together

Commentary: Were they being properly reported, two critically important court hearings in February 2024, in London and The Hague, would expose the US ‘rules-based order’ as a hollow sham. Both posed globe-spanning threats to our most basic freedoms. Neither received more than perfunctory coverage in Western establishment media such as the BBC. One was a week-long hearing by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over a United Nations General Assembly request for an advisory opinion over Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories and the other was a last-ditch appeal of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange against efforts by the United States to extradite him so that he can be locked away for the rest of his life. EDITORIAL NOTE: After the editorial of Pacific Journalism Review and the lead article in this edition (Vol 30, No 1&2) about the fate of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange were printed, the Australian journalist was set free and he arrived back in Australia after a plea bargain. The winner of his country’s Walkley Award for journalism excellence, Assange was freed by a US federal court in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, on 26 June 2024 after a plea bargain to plead guilty to one charge of violating the US Espionage Act and the judge sentenced him to 62 months, jail time already served in the UK on remand. His 14-year struggle for freedom was over, but his lawyers say they will press for a full US presidential pardon.

Culture Shock: Challenges of International Students

In the globalized landscape of higher education, the number of students seeking academic opportunities abroad has surged. This literature review investigates the cultural shock experienced by international students, examining its scale and impact globally and within Asia. The method used the PRISMA checklist and flowchart for selection and review of journals, consisting of three stages: identification from databases (n = 3,874,770), screening (n = 157), and inclusion (n = 10). Additionally, information was sought from books, dissertations, unpublished materials, and personal experiences as a teacher of international students. The review identified three themes regarding cultural shock. The first theme, Cultural Shock Syndromes, reveals that students generally experience homesickness, a desire to escape their new environment, and distress. The second theme, Aspects of Culture Shock Experienced by Students, includes language barriers, daily schedules, non-verbal communication, homesickness, loneliness, seasons and weather, and food. The third theme, Effects of Culture Shock on Students’ Lives during their Study, focuses on academic performance, social integration, and overall well-being. The conclusion is that cultural shock significantly affects international students as they navigate new academic and social environments, encompassing challenges such as homesickness, social exclusion, identity confusion, and cultural dissonance. These factors collectively contribute to heightened stress and anxiety, negatively impacting students' academic performance and overall well-being. Understanding the specific complaints and challenges associated with cultural shock highlights the critical need for comprehensive support systems.

Systematic Literature Review Method for Identifying Efficiency and Photovoltaic Technology as a Renewable Energy Innovation

Photovoltaics or solar cells are a device that can convert/convert solar energy into electrical energy. The use of photovoltaics as a renewable energy innovation is very necessary in developing photovoltaic technology and increasing the efficiency of the energy produced. The main electricity supply is PLN, which is not always continuous in its distribution due to the limited availability of fossil energy. This can result in disruption of human activities and productivity. The technology developed is organic and inorganic photovoltaic technology. Photovoltaic efficiency refers to the ability of solar panels to convert sunlight energy into electrical energy. Currently it is not known how much technology has been developed by photovoltaics and the efficiency that photovoltaics have produced. This research aims to identify developments in photovoltaic efficiency research and technology used in the world whose data was obtained from related journals in 2013-2022. There are 1,503 studies related to photovotaic efficiency. The method used in this research is the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) Method. The SLR method is used to identify, review, evaluate, and interpret all available research on a topic area of ​​interest, with specific relevant research questions. By using the SLR method, a systematic review and identification of journals can be carried out, with each process following predetermined steps or protocols. The research results show that the technology that is widely used in developing photovoltaic efficiency is organic photovoltaic technology and the highest efficiency that has been obtained is 38.9%.

Barriers to Accessing Clubfoot Treatment in South Africa

This journal review critically examines the barriers to accessing clubfoot treatment within the context of South Africa. Through a comprehensive search on PubMed, four pertinent studies were identified and thoroughly analyzed based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The findings highlight significant impediments hindering access to clubfoot treatment, with prominent factors including geographical distance to treatment facilities, limited awareness regarding the severity of the condition, and logistical challenges in accessing specialized care. While these identified barriers shed light on the current challenges faced by clubfoot patients in South Africa, the review underscores the necessity for further research to comprehensively explore additional barriers and their underlying causes across diverse regions within the country. This extended analysis emphasizes the multifaceted nature of obstacles to accessing clubfoot treatment and underscores the imperative for targeted interventions to enhance accessibility and mitigate disparities in care delivery.

FINANCIAL REPORTING AND AUDIT QUALITY – A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS

Audit is an integrated element in the overall reporting process and contributes to the quality of reporting. As the quality is usually hard to define, the measurement of quality is also debatable. To assess the influence of audit as a factor of reporting quality, we have used bibliometric analysis as research method because it helps us look at the studied subjects from a broad perspective. The analysis was performed using RStudio, and the articles were downloaded from Web of Science database. The analysis covers 2.918 documents, published between 1985 and 2023. The number of studies significantly increased starting with 2007. Gul F. A. published 25 articles regarding the analysed matter, being also the most cited author. More than 200 articles were published in the journal Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, followed by the journal Accounting Review with more than 160 articles. A high number of articles are affiliated to University of Malaysia (88), but the most cited authors originate from United States of America and China. Earnings management, quality, performance, corporate governance, and ownership are the main keywords used. The aim of this study is to contribute to understanding the matter of audit quality as an element of reporting quality, and to be a guide in structuring the literature review for research in audit and reporting.

This is not an experiment: using vignettes in qualitative accounting research

PurposeThe use of interviews for data collection is prevalent in qualitative accounting research. This paper examines vignettes – sketches of hypothetical scenarios – as a promising complementary way to conduct interviews in qualitative accounting research.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on our experiences designing and using vignettes in five separate qualitative accounting studies, which collectively involve over 200 interviews with various participants. It discusses the opportunities the use of vignettes in interviews offers to qualitative accounting research, as well as the challenges associated with designing and using vignettes. The paper also reflects on fellow researchers’ varied reactions during seminars, workshops, and the journal review process.FindingsVignettes emerge as a productive and engaging complementary way for accounting researchers to obtain additional insights and perspectives not usually accessible in semi-structured interviews. The paper also provides practical insights into developing, using and publishing qualitative accounting studies using vignettes, contributing an additional behind-the-scenes view of using qualitative research methods.Originality/valueThe aim of this paper is to increase awareness of vignettes as a complement to the standard qualitative accounting interview. It provides guidance on how vignettes might be used productively for studying rare, new, emerging, complex, or multi-period real-world accounting phenomena. It also discusses how vignettes can promote transparency, honesty, and a greater level of detail in participants’ responses, as well as facilitate the involvement of lay people in accounting studies.

How can PBL promote critical thinking skills in biology material? A systematic literature review in reputable journals

: The Merdeka Curriculum requires teachers to apply various learning models, including PBL, to achieve learning objectives, including critical thinking skills. However, in the context of biology learning, the application of the PBL model is rarely considered to improve students' critical thinking skills, and research on this is still limited. Therefore, this research is essential because there is no complete analysis of the impact of the PBL learning model on critical thinking skills in biology indexed by Scopus. This study uses the SLR method to investigate the effect of the PBL learning model on students' critical thinking skills in biology material. This research method follows the PRISMA model for selecting articles based on specific criteria in the SCOPUS database. The research results show that presentation and discussion methods dominate biology learning, while there is a lack of attention to students' critical thinking and a lack of electronic teaching materials. On the other hand, problem-based learning helps students understand and apply biological material and develop critical thinking skills by emphasizing the application of knowledge, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation and involving students in group discussions to motivate critical thinking. Research shows that PBL effectively improves students' critical thinking, supported by various learning models and media that strengthen students' critical thinking skills. In conclusion, applying the PBL model allows students to focus on specific topics, understand scientific concepts, and overcome challenges through data analysis, hypothesis generation, and deductive reasoning. This model encourages critical thinking and active participation of students. Teachers are expected to be able to use various learning models to improve students' thinking abilities.

Influence of variables on breast self-examination: Potential barrier or enhancement of breast cancer prevention.

Breast self-examination (BSE) is an important tool for early detection of breast cancer and can contribute to increased awareness and familiarity with breast tissue. This study aimed to review factors that influenced BSE in preventing breast cancer. In the initial stage of searching for journal articles, 186 journals were obtained, then screening was carried out within a time span of 2019-2024 and using Indonesian and English 54 journals. Of the 12 journals reviewed, the results showed that 4 journals reviewed had conducted pre and post-BSE practices, and 8 journal reviews conducted BSE practices conducted by students and health workers. Several factors play an important role in implementing BSE, namely age, knowledge, history of exposure to information, family history, ethnicity, and attitude. Overall, the study shows that the need to create awareness and educate women, especially rural women, on the importance of BSE as a preventive measure for breast cancer is paramount. Factors influencing the implementation of BSE can be a barrier or an enhancement in breast cancer prevention.

Party Politics in West Bengal: Historical and Contemporary Dynamics

Party politics in West Bengal is a complex and ever-evolving phenomenon deeply rooted in the state's socio-cultural history. This overview explores the dynamic landscape of party politics in West Bengal, tracing its historical evolution and examining the key players, ideological underpinnings, electoral strategies, and socio-economic factors that have influenced voter preferences over the years. From the pre-independence era's freedom struggle to the contemporary political dynamics dominated by the All-India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), West Bengal's political journey reflects its vibrant cultural mosaic and socio-political complexities. This paper also discusses the current scenario in West Bengal, highlighting the role of various political parties in recent local and assembly elections. The methodology involves a comprehensive review of academic papers and journals on various aspects of West Bengal's politics, governance, and societal dynamics. While existing literature touches on governance-related aspects like healthcare policies, decentralisation, and power sector reforms, there is a research gap in integrating these elements to provide a holistic assessment of West Bengal's governance model. The paper identifies this research gap and calls for a more comprehensive study that explores the interplay of political decisions, decentralisation efforts, and policy reforms in shaping the state's development and governance outcomes.

The Analysis of Students’ Problem-Solving Skills About Temperature and Heat

This journal reviews students' problem-solving skills after participating in a problem-solving-based learning process. This study aims to determine the student's problem-solving skills and social students who follow a cross-interest program in physics. The study utilized a quantitative approach with descriptive methods and a one-group pretest-posttest research design. The research subjects were 29 students in class X Social 4 at SMAN Sambungmacan, Sragen. In this study, students were asked to complete four question descriptions after studying temperature and heat material. Student problem-solving results were analyzed using a point system. The average and percentage of student achievement were calculated for each problem and its stages of problem-solving. Analysis of problem-solving skills data revealed that the average percentage of students' problem-solving skills reached 65.3%. Based on data analysis and results, all students' problem-solving abilities have improved since the pretest. It is hoped that students will continue to be accustomed to solving problems using the stages of problem-solving in the future.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy as an intervention for Treatment Resistant Depression in adults: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Major Depressive Disorder is a long-term, recurring, and very common illness that is associated with a significant decline in functional ability. The gold-standard method of treating depression is pharmacotherapy, which involves the use of antidepressant medications either alone or in various combinations. However, approximately 30% of Major Depressive Disorder patients suffer from Treatment Resistant Depression, a more severe condition that has a profound impact on patients' lives. Our study aims to conduct the first comprehensive review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness and safety of adding Dialectical Behavior Therapy to antidepressant medications compared to groups using pharmacotherapy alone as an intervention for adults with Treatment Resistant Depression. We will search for publications in the following databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase, Lilacs, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. We will manually review the reference lists of the included studies to identify potentially relevant studies. There will be no restrictions on the language or publication date. Quality assessment of the included studies will be performed independently according to the Cochrane Risk of Bias instrument. To assess the certainty of the findings' body of evidence, we will use the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. This study aims to determine the effectiveness and safety of Dialectical Behavior Therapy as an intervention for Treatment Resistant Depression in adults. Ethical approval was not required as individual patient data was not obtained. Our intention is to publish the systematic review in a medical journal that offers open access upon completion of the process. PROSPERO registration number CRD42023406301. Registered on March 24, 2023.

Book Reviews in Medical History Journals

Book Reviews in Medical History Journals

Bioecology of Electric Fish (Actinopterygii: Gymnotiformes)

The poraquê has an elongated and cylindrical body, with just one anal fin, which extends across almost the entire abdomen it resembles the shape of an eel. Its head is flat and its mouth is equipped with a row of sharp, conical teeth. The color of this animal is always very dark, but the ventral part of the body is yellowish and they have poor vision. This group of fish is known for their ability to generate and detect electrical fields in the environment in which they occur, and these characteristics are used in communication, prey detection, defense, reproduction and even to help these animals move in the absence of light. This manuscript aims to describe the biology, ecology, morphology, geographic distribution, life cycle, habitat, and therapeutic use of electric fish (Chordata: Actinopterygii: Gymnotiformes). Concerned with establishing a public profile of quality research in the area, we sought to answer these questions based on a literature review in the main journals (national and international) classified by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES). Complement this analysis with other documents such as books, theses, dissertations, scientific journals, documents, and digital platforms.

Penerapan Health Promotion dan Education tentang Nutrisi pada Ibu Hamil dan Menyusui dalam Pencegahan Stunting

This study aims to analyse the effect implementing health promotion and education on specific intervention target groups through nutrition in stunting prevention measures. The method used was a systematic review sourced from journals searched through the Scopus database, Ebsco, Web of Science, and Pubmed published in the last 3-year period (2021-2023), regarding the provision of health promotion and education on nutrition as a preventive measure for stunting. Analysis of research results using the PICOS method (Population, Intervention, Compare, Outcome, and Study Design). The results showed that 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. All articles had an experimental study design. The majority of respondents were mothers, breastfeeding mothers, and pregnant women. The results showed the effect of health promotion and nutrition education combined with nutrition on stunting prevention. This journal review concludes that health promotion and nutrition education combined with nutrition affects increasing understanding, attitudes, and behavior in stunting prevention. Keywords: Mother; Pregnant Women, Health Promotion; Health Education; Stunting.

Implementasi Nilai-Nilai Kebangsaan Berbasis UUD 1945 Guna Mendukung Sistem Cyber Security Dalam Penggunaan Sistem Informasi Akademik (SIA) Di Institusi Perguruan Tinggi

Cyber Security for Higher Education Academic Information System (AIS) data is an increasingly important issue along with the increasing dependence of higher education on information technology. Students have their education data in the Academic Information System (AIS) which is owned by each campus. Campuses are obliged to give their students the right to privacy and the right to information. The right to privacy and limitations on the right to information include state protection of personal data. In this way, students have the right to receive protection for their personal data in the academic information system (AIS). This is regulated by the 1945 Constitution (UUD 1945) and the Personal Data Protection Law (UU PDP), which are an important foundation for regulations on data management and cyber security systems. This research uses a journal literature review method which aims to investigate the security threats faced by Academic Information System (AIS) data and to design effective protection strategies. The methods used include risk analysis, identification of system vulnerabilities, and development of appropriate security policies. The findings show that sensitive data such as student personal information and academic records are the main targets for attackers. Therefore, the need to implement security measures such as data encryption, use of double authentication, strict system monitoring, as well as training for information system users is very important. Through a policy analysis approach and literature study, this research aims to identify strategies and best practices in integrating national values into cyber security policies and practices. It is hoped that this research will provide an overview of the importance of national principles in terms of cyber security in higher education. It will also provide recommendations for institutions to improve academic information systems in accordance with the country's constitution.

The Influence of Referees on Romeo and Juliet

Dear Editors, It is a common situation, especially for young researchers, to receive decision letters from a journal office saying: “Major revision required - No guarantee of acceptance” or “We regret to reject.” It is said that experiencing repeated major revisions and even rejections make a researcher more mature, but what is a young researcher to do when even Dr Hwang is badly affected by this situation? [1] Then I read Kundakçı’s letter [2] and became even more pessimistic. I worried what if the referees turned into artificial intelligence and even more difficult times awaited the writers. So, I decided to write this letter, thinking that it might be interesting to discuss ideas on the subject with the metaphor of Romeo and Juliet. We all know William Shakespeare’s magnificent work Romeo and Juliet [3]. In this work, Romeo and Juliet, who fell in love with each other, failed to be patient in their plans and could not come together until they died. And a great debate has been going on for centuries: What makes their love interesting and unforgettable for all humanity is the greatness of their love or the fact that they could never unite? In fact, there is a metaphorical relationship between referees and “Romeo and Juliet”. Could it be that what determines our love for science and our desire to write scientific articles and makes it unique is that we cannot achieve success as a result of the comments of the referees? Or is it the magnitude of our love for writing that drives us to our enthusiasm for writing? Generally, it is not taught how to do peer review for scientific journals. If people have not made a special effort to learn, they learn the role of the referee from their own experiences or from studies previously published in the journal. This is actually a situation that may cause some problems in the standardization of the work done. Since the editors will reach a decision based on the recommendations of the referees, the qualifications of the referees and their scientific article evaluation behavior patterns become decisive in this regard. Since referees are also writers and are not free from all the prejudices of the age, they must act independently of all positive or negative influences when evaluating the manuscripts [4, 5]. The publishing policies of journals (double blind or single blind, etc.) supporting this independence is the way to prevent this great love from disappearing and not growing further with new separations. In the story of Romeo and Juliette we see Count Paris who tries to separate them and wants to marry Juliette, and Friar Laurence who is the wise adviser and tries to reunite them. As writers, editors or referees, we scientists perhaps have two options: to hinder this love of science, like Count Paris, or to advance the love of science, like Friar Laurence. Or in other words “to be or not to be” a scientist, that is the question. Kind Regards

Emerging trends of environmental accounting research: a science mapping approach

Purpose This paper aims to provide a comprehensive knowledge structure for environmental accounting (EA) research by identifying research hotspots and frontiers and suggesting future trends for scholarly investigation. Design/methodology/approach Using the bibliometric method, the paper analyzed 321 academic articles and reviews in international journals from the Scopus database. Science mapping, including strategic diagrams, network analysis and thematic maps, was used to analyze the evolution of topics and to recommend future research trends. Findings EA research is an emerging trend. This study presents the landscape of EA research by constructing the “synthesis house of knowledge” in EA. Significant EA research areas were identified and future research trends were suggested based on the results. Practical implications This paper provides insights into the current state of EA research and identifies potential future research trends that can help scholars and experts develop and stimulate further advancement of the research in this field. Social implications Results may motivate policymakers and government agencies to formulate regulations to enforce appropriate corporate environmental strategies to better manage environmental costs and reduce community environmental impact. Originality/value The study provides an intellectually structured literature review of the EA research field; identifies the main themes through the innovative use of network analysis, strategic diagrams and thematic maps; highlights research gaps; and offers potential research questions and suggestions for future research. The novelty of this paper lies in the “synthesis house of knowledge” in EA and the research gaps and potential and specific research questions constructed from the findings.

Mr. Thorp goes to Washington.

On 2 April, I received an email that changed the course of the next 2 weeks. The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, chaired by United States Congressman Brad Wenstrup, invited me to testify along with my counterparts at Nature and The Lancet. The purpose of the public hearing (Academic Malpractice: Examining the Relationship Between Scientific Journals, the Government, and Peer Review) was to determine whether government officials, specifically former National Institutes of Health leaders Francis Collins and Anthony Fauci, steered journals to publish papers suppressing the idea that COVID-19 may have arisen from a lab accident in Wuhan, China. I was not subpoenaed to appear but made the decision to testify voluntarily. My counterparts, who are based in the United Kingdom, decided not to attend.