False Claims Research Articles

Digital Vigilantism and Chinese Digital Feminisms: The Shi Hang Case and the Double-Edged Sword of Online Justice-Seeking

ABSTRACT Digital platforms have revolutionised the feminist movement in China, offering an unparalleled platform for voicing grievances and seeking justice. Using the well-known accusation of sexual harassment against renowned screenwriter Shi Hang (which first emerged on the social networking service Douban) as a case study, this article explores the potency and peril of digital vigilantism in contemporary Chinese feminist discourse. It shows how the singular anonymous post metamorphosed into multiple corroborating allegations, thereby underlining the empowering nature of digital platforms, but also how the proliferation of the discourse across Weibo and the divergent reactions it triggered raised poignant questions about the social context in which digital vigilantism and digital feminisms in China today are manifesting. The Shi Hang case demonstrates that social media platforms such as Weibo offer unprecedented opportunities for women to expose sexual harassment and seek justice, but it also highlights the inherent risks for digital feminism as it becomes the target of discourses around false accusations, wrongful incrimination, and misinformation. Through a multi-method inductive thematic analysis and discourse analysis of the Shi Hang case on Weibo the article traces the evolving social discourse surrounding the case and identifies its broader social implications for digital feminisms in contemporary China.

Watch out for errors! factors related to ChatGPT skepticism: a cognitive perspective

ABSTRACT Skepticism is regarded as a prerequisite for detecting errors. Individuals with higher skepticism towards ChatGPT are better equipped to discern truth from false claims. However, empirical research directly examining ChatGPT skepticism is currently lacking. This study aims to adapt a measurement tool suitable for ChatGPT skepticism and to investigate the correlation between different cognitive styles and ChatGPT skepticism. A total of 999 college students recruited from Taiwan completed the questionnaire. The results showed that cognitive styles (i.e. performance-based analytic cognitive style, self-reported analytic cognitive style, accuracy motivation, and evidence-over-cues style) could positively predict ChatGPT skepticism. Specifically, evidence-over-cues style and performance-based analytic cognitive style were the strongest predictors of ChatGPT skepticism. Accuracy motivation had the weakest effect on ChatGPT skepticism. These findings deepen our understanding of the explanatory from cognitive styles to ChatGPT skepticism and help us better comprehend the judgment process involved in adopting AI-generated content.

Digital Disputes: Minimizing Legal Vulnerability in the Information Age.

This project aims to provide guidance for surgeons' online interactions by reviewing key legal decisions. The Nexis Uni database was queried to search for state and federal case law and law journal articles. Search terms were "social media" AND (facial w/s plastic!) and internet AND advice AND "plastic surgery." The first query returned two cases and a law review article. The second returned 39 cases. The 17 most relevant results were included. On surgeons' websites, increased interactivity or opportunities for the sale of products or services make out-of-state courts more likely to have personal jurisdiction over them. There are also many cases involving plastic surgeons filing defamation complaints against patients who reviewed them negatively online. Success in these cases has been limited. Surgeons are instead vulnerable to the "Streisand Effect," where legal action can bring attention to patient complaints. Unique cross-complaints may require the plaintiff to pay the defendant's legal fees if no defamation is proven. Surgeons who appear on "Top Doctor" lists, publish articles, or otherwise display their expertise may unknowingly make themselves "limited purpose public figures." This adds the burden of proving false patient claims were made "with actual malice" rather than through negligence. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

False globalism: Public administration in the United States in the twenty-first century

In 2012, two keystone scholarly institutions in U.S. public administration, NASPAA and Public Administration Review (PAR), began describing themselves as global enterprises, concerned with research and teaching on a globally inclusive basis. At first glance, this promise of a shift from national to global focus might reassure Global South scholars concerned about longstanding U.S. hegemony in public administration scholarship. However, these claims about a shift toward globality are unsupported by the evidence that has accumulated over the past decade. Neither NASPAA nor PAR has adequately addressed barriers to participation by the Global South in their activities, and neither has strong incentives to do so. In fact, false claims about global inclusivity may reinforce U.S. dominance within the field of public administration around the world. To promote diversity and inclusion within public administration scholarship, we must begin by questioning globality claims made by institutions like NASPAA and PAR, and adopting an approach to dialogue built on the principle of epistemic pluralism.

Diffusion of COVID-19 Misinformation in Kenyan X Conversations

Purpose: The study set out to explore the role of X conversations in the spread of misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya. Methodology: The study was guided by the Rumor Theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey design which allowed the researchers to collect data without interacting with participants. Data was collected from existing online records of conversations on X and other relevant websites such as the Ministry of Health. The data was sourced from hashtags and tweets related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya, posted in the period from March 2020 to April 2021. The hashtags and tweets were mined using the free API tool for geolocated tweets. 16 hashtags and 200 tweets were selected for the study. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis under classified themes. Findings: The findings of the study indicate that none of the hashtags created by Kenyans was framed to spread misinformation but the tweets under the different hashtags analyzed contained misinformation. Findings also indicate that verified X handles were involved in either creating or spreading COVID-19 misinformation. Additionally, false claims were found to diffuse faster than partially false claims as observed in the tweets with misinformation. Compared to a background corpus of COVID-19 tweets, tweets with misinformation were more often concerned with discrediting other information on social media. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: We recommend that the government and stakeholders in health ought to counter COVID-19 misinformation online, and equip users with basic digital literacy skills regarding consumption of online information while continuously monitoring online discourses. A policy on online health communication needs to be developed and implemented.

ALIENATION SYNDROME AND FALSE MEMORIES IN THE CONTEXT OF PSYCHOLOGY AND LAW: A literature review

The aim of this paper is to present the relationship between false memories and Parental Alienation Syndrome, using psychology and law as relevant premises to support the context of the subject. To this end, the methodology used was a literature review, as a way of gathering information on the subject. The theme was developed by selecting papers from electronic journal platforms, as well as complementary research sources such as books and laws. After reading the material, content analysis was undertaken, resulting in the creation of four categories as a way of facilitating understanding and development of the theme. The categories created were: custody disputes, false accusations of sexual abuse, psychological damage and psychological assessment. The results found show us the false memories have a direct influence on Parental Alienation Syndrome, as the alienator uses false information and distortions of untrue facts as a way of demoralizing the alienated person, such as accusations of sexual abuse. In this way, we can see how necessary the intervention of the judiciary and the expert psychologist is, who will carry out an accurate psychological assessment, with the aim of supporting the judge in making a decision that will safeguard the rights of the child or adolescent, especially the right to family life and avoid damage to their healthy development.

Quackery in Health is Still Around: Pseudoscientific Healing Practices Across the Globe.

Fraudulent medical practices remain prevalent globally, fueled by digital platforms spreading false claims. This study analysed 3,327 published studies and 400 grey literature sources, selecting 38 studies and 19 excerpts for detailed examination. It identified 126 distinct quackery techniques and products used throughout history. Traditional methods are considered legitimate in Asian and African regions and dismissed as quackery in the West. In Western countries, quacks often use electricity, mechanical instruments, and gadgets for treatment. Historically, faith-based treatments are practised globally. However, these were limited to Asia and Africa. The rise of the internet has enabled quacks to exploit digital platforms to deceive and attract victims. These findings highlight the persistence of quackery and underscore the need for targeted strategies to combat these deceptive practices globally. Key Words: Charlatan, Illegal treatment, Medical fraud, Quackery.

False news claims as media criticism: Situating 1930s-1940s U.S. progressive critiques of “falsehood in the daily press”

Widespread claims charging news media with intentionally presenting false information to advance a political agenda are commonly understood as a recent phenomenon driven by the rise of right-wing populism. This article unpacks the prominence of charges of false news in the 1930s and 1940s United States among progressives who identified the commercial press as a powerful conservative force working on behalf of economic elites and against progressive movements. It argues that liberal and left critics deployed claims of falsehood in news as they sought to convince audiences that dominant news institutions were unworthy of their trust, underscore the importance of alternative media, and promote reform of newspaper industry labor practices. Bringing a case study from an illustrative past moment into conversation with recent work on post-truth politics and journalistic authority, this article contributes to the literature on “fake news” as media criticism.

The Impact of False Claims and Celebrity Promotions on Medical Treatment: A Growing Concern for Patients

The Impact of False Claims and Celebrity Promotions on Medical Treatment: A Growing Concern for Patients

Evaluating the Antibacterial Potential of Commercial Herbal Mixtures against Clinical Isolate of Salmonella typhi: An In-vitro Experimental Analysis

Background: Typhoid fever incidence has continuously increased, particularly in developing countries. As a result, there has been an influx of preference for herbal remedies to meet the growing demand. However, the increasing demand for these herbal preparations has created room for false claims. Aim: This study investigated the in vitro activity of commercial herbal mixtures against a clinical isolate of S. typhi. Study Design: The study employed an experimental design to evaluate the vitro activity of four commercial herbal mixtures against a clinical isolate of S. typhi. Methods: Four herbal mixtures (IBA-ENTR5, DB-TYFO222, DY-PHB, and BIA-TABH) were screened for phytochemical and antimicrobial activity. Screening and identification of bioactive secondary metabolites were performed using standard procedures. The antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were determined using the agar well diffusion and dilution method. Results: Based on photochemical screening, apart from the absence of glycosides in IBA-ENTR5, all other phytochemicals were present in the herbal mixtures. The highest activity per agar well diffusion was observed for IBA-ENTR5, followed by DB-TYFO222, DY-PHB, and BIA-TABH. The minimum inhibitory concentration values ranged from 150 to 250 mg/L, with IBA-ENTR5 and DY-PHB possessing 150 mg/L, DB-TYFO222 possessing 200 mg/L, and BIA-TABH possessing 250 mg/L. Compared with the positive control IAG-CPRO, only IBA-ENTR exhibited a higher inhibition zone. Conclusion: This study revealed that herbal mixtures contain rich phytochemical constituents. The results also confirmed that the antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration of the herbal mixtures were concentration-dependent. That is, the herbal mixtures sampled provided good results when their concentrations were increased. In conclusion, herbal mixtures in open Ghanaian markets may provide good antimicrobial efficacy.

Strategi Pemasaran Beras Organik dalam Meningkatkan Kepercayaan Konsumen di Kabupaten Kolaka

This research was conducted in Puuroda Village, Baula District, Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi from May to July 2024. Using qualitative methods with interview and observation techniques, this research aims to analyze marketing strategies for organic rice to increase consumer confidence. SWOT analysis is used to identify internal and external factors. The research r esults show that the main strengths of the product include guaranteed quality, certification, and packaging variations. Disadvantages include high price and short shelf life. Opportunities are identified in the use of e-commerce and local collaboration, while threats come from competition with non-organic products and the circulation of false claims. Recommended strategies include the use of digital platforms for consumer education, emphasis on product quality and certification, and production efficiency to maintain price competitiveness.

<i>Greenwashing, Pinkwashing, Whitewashing</i> … der kritische Metasprachdiskurs um X-<i>washing</i>

The article focuses on the critical meta-linguistic discourse on x-washing in the newspaper and magazine corpus of the German Reference Corpus (DeReko) thus demonstrating the added value of a corpus-based quantitative-qualitative analysis for discourse linguistic studies. This approach makes it possible to trace the development of the discourse-constitutive x-washing pattern since the 1990s. It becomes clear that the pattern has increased in frequency and productivity in recent years, as shown by the variety of x-washing terms used primarily in the quality media by and for the educated classes. X-washing terms range from established, lexicographically recorded terms (green-, sports- or pinkwashing), which in turn form further composites, to rare ad hoc formations (youth-, zero-, diversitywashing), which open up new perspectives in critical meta-linguistic discourse. The individual x-washing terms refer to different discursive events and form their own discourse strands, but are all based on the common pattern of argumentation, namely criticism of the economic and political communication of sustainability and the staging of groups of people (e.g. LGBTQIA*, youth) or socially relevant values (environmental protection, ethical intentions or gender equality). Furthermore, the co-occurrence analysis was used to identify the most important agents who criticise self-portrayed misleading or false sustainability claims, as well as agents who engage in x-washing. Frequent co-occurrence partners moreover reveal the pejoratively critical connotation of x-washing and its meta-linguistic use. In the newspaper and magazine corpus, a variety of references to language and language use could be identified, which can be differentiated with regard to reference objects and hierarchy.

Generative AI in Higher Education: Uncertain Students, Ambiguous Use Cases, and Mercenary Perspectives

Background: Students in higher education are using generative artificial intelligence (AI) despite mixed messages and contradictory policies. Objective: This study helps answer outstanding questions about many aspects of AI in higher education: familiarity, usage, perceptions of peers, ethical/social views, and AI grading. Method: I surveyed 733 undergraduates. Results: Students reported mixed levels of experience with AI and tended toward nervousness over excitement. Most reported professors addressing AI but not integrating it. While 41% of students had used AI in ways explicitly banned, many more students (59%) reported ambiguous use cases. Students overestimated peer cheating, and this predicted their own cheating, as did general experience with and excitement about AI. Meanwhile, 11% of students reported false accusations, with first-generation students possibly at a higher rate. Pragmatic views about career and inequality may be affecting behaviors. Men consistently reported more involvement with AI than women. Conclusion: Future research should focus on the hybrid collaboration of humans and AI and how AI might be leveraged to support and scaffold genuine learning. Teaching Implications: AI will be relevant to many future careers, and students increasingly want it to be part of their education. Academic integrity will be a continuing challenge, and students need transparency.

Emotions in misinformation studies: distinguishing affective state from emotional response and misinformation recognition from acceptance

Prior studies indicate that emotions, particularly high-arousal emotions, may elicit rapid intuitive thinking, thereby decreasing the ability to recognize misinformation. Yet, few studies have distinguished prior affective states from emotional reactions to false news, which could influence belief in falsehoods in different ways. Extending a study by Martel et al. (Cognit Res: Principles Implic 5: 1–20, 2020), we conducted a pre-registered online survey experiment in Austria (N = 422), investigating associations of emotions and discernment of false and real news related to COVID-19. We found no associations of prior affective state with discernment, but observed higher anger and less joy in response to false compared to real news. Exploratory analyses, including automated analyses of open-ended text responses, suggested that anger arose for different reasons in different people depending on their prior beliefs. In our educated and left-leaning sample, higher anger was often related to recognizing the misinformation as such, rather than accepting the false claims. We conclude that studies need to distinguish between prior affective state and emotional response to misinformation and consider individuals’ prior beliefs as determinants of emotions.

An Analysis of Ferienjob Practices in Germany: Modus Operandi, Legal Actions, Prevention, and Global Comparisons

The Ferienjob program in Germany which was started as an opportunity for students to find work and earn an income during vacations has of late come under criticism and allegations of being justifications for more nefarious endeavors such as human trafficking and labor slavery. In the light of this background, this article examines the factors that facilitated the exploitation of over 1,000 Indonesian and Uzbek students engaged in the Ferienjob scheme arguing about weaknesses in the host and the students’ home countries’ labor protection systems. Even though there are labor laws in Germany like the Employengesetz which forbids the exploitation of minor employees and the Mindestlohngesetz which ensures at least a guaranteed pay for every employee’s work, exploited labor has not died down and students remain to be in low wage and unsafe working conditions due to the contracts that they deal with. The research includes questions regarding the qualitative methodology that reflects both primary data collected through the interviews and secondary data obtained from government documents and legislations. The key study findings include the use of false claims in this particular case to lure in students, the stealing of the student’s money via placement fees, and the lack of proper legal care for foreign employees. The article further examines the responses issued by Indonesia and Germany in the court trying to show that it is extremely hard to bring the offending parties to book and to coordinate the protection of labor laws. As a final point the study provides the suggestions of how the preventive measures could be improved including enhanced regulations for recruitment firms, an improvement in the control of international agencies, and improvement of university partnerships.

False and Misleading Claims of Scientific Misconduct in Early Research into Radiation Dose-response: Part 1. Overlooking Key Historical Text.

In reviewing a video series that they created for the website of the Health Physics Society (HPS), past leaders of the Health Physics Society have treated as authoritative and trustworthy the scientific misconduct theories of University of Massachusetts Professor Edward Calabrese. No mention is made of detailed critiques of Calabrese's work. I show that Calabrese's historical work as presented by HPS's authors is unreliable because it overlooks key historical text and key statistical concepts about the limits of an early atomic bomb genetics study. When these errors are corrected, claims of scientific misconduct on the part of historical figures evaporate. Claims of threshold behavior in early radiation genetic experiments are wrong for atomic bomb data. Calabrese's unique claims about thresholds in early animal genetic data are not credible for human cancer, given the doses at which they were carried out (>30 R). Recent epidemiological studies of both acute and protracted exposure in humans fail to show dose-rate effects or a dose threshold above 30 R. Such results from human data should be more relevant for most regulators and review committees than Calabrese's claims about old data on animals. Disclaimers, errata, and links to critiques should be added to the HPS webpage hosting the 22-part video series. Failure to do so can cause damage to reputations and historical accuracy because it erroneously validates Calabrese's inflammatory claims of scientific misconduct against past scientists, including three Nobel Prize winners, members of the NAS, and presidents of the AAAS.

Greenwashing in ESG: Identifying and Addressing False Claims of Sustainability

Purpose: The study explores the growing issue of greenwashing in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, identifying common deceptive practices and their impact on stakeholders. Methodology: A mixed-method approach was used, including content analysis of sustainability reports and interviews with stakeholders across industries. This approach helped uncover the prevalence and nature of greenwashing tactics and evaluate their implications. Findings: Greenwashing remains a significant barrier to genuine corporate sustainability. Common tactics include selective disclosure, vague claims, and irrelevant assertions, which undermine ESG reporting credibility. The absence of stringent regulatory frameworks and third-party verification exacerbates these practices, leading to eroded stakeholder trust, distorted investment decisions, and hindered consumer awareness. Findings also highlight the sectoral variance in greenwashing tactics and emphasize the need for stricter regulatory measures. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy, and Practice: The research contributes to the ESG field by identifying actionable solutions for curbing greenwashing, including regulatory reforms, mandatory third-party audits, and the adoption of technologies such as blockchain for ESG verification. The study underscores the importance of transparent ESG reporting in fostering trust, enabling informed decisions, and advancing global sustainability goals.

When Self-Compassion Lacks Ferocity: Anger and Responding to False Accusations.

Self-compassion can help people when they make mistakes, but does it affect how people respond when falsely accused of making a mistake? In this research, we tested the hypothesis that self-compassion is associated with lower levels of anger after a false accusation which, in turn, lowers the likelihood that people will attempt to challenge the accusation. In Studies 1A (N = 422) and 1B (N = 492), participants imagined that they were playing in an important tennis match and were falsely accused by an official of making an error. In Study 2 (N = 346), participants completed an online survey that, at one point, displayed a message accusing them of plagiarizing one of their responses. In all studies, self-compassion assessed prior to the accusation was negatively associated with levels of anger following the accusation. Anger, in turn, was positively associated with intentions to challenge the accusation (Studies 1A and 1B) and with the likelihood that participants brought the false accusation to our attention when given an opportunity to do so (Study 2). This research shows that highly self-compassionate people are not always ferocious and may be susceptible to being taken advantage of when facing false accusations.

Nutraceuticals in veterinary ophthalmology: fact, fiction or both?

This review examines the use of nutraceuticals in canine and feline ocular diseases, highlighting their potential benefits and the dangers of misinformation. While certain products like curcumin, beta-glucans and resveratrol show promise against feline herpesvirus, false claims surrounding L-carnitine for cataracts are emphasised. While L-carnitine may slow cataract progression, it cannot reverse cataracts or replace surgery. Alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant, holds potential for diabetes-related cataracts, while lutein, zeaxanthin and other carotenoids might slow age-related changes. Despite limited evidence, neuroprotective substances like grape seed extract, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamins are used for degenerative retinal and optic nerve diseases, aiming to slow or prevent vision loss. Future research is crucial to solidify their efficacy and avoid misleading pet owners.

False allegations of research misconduct

False allegations of research misconduct