Articles tagged with Academic Ethics
Threats to academic freedom are increasing, including attacks on individual researchers and specific fields of study. Research vulnerabilities can be strengthened through cooperation among scientists, businesses, and civil society.
A qualitative study reveals that watchdog science journalism is labour-intensive and time-consuming, with high thresholds of evidence and significant barriers to access. The findings highlight the need for media organisations to protect specialised investigative work and foster a more transparent public discussion about science.
The Spanish University System (SUE) saw a 95% increase in publications from public universities between 2015 and 2024, with a record year of 74,846 publications in 2021. This growth is attributed to improved faculty productivity, with public universities exceeding one article per faculty member.
The journal addresses ethical challenges, best practices, and scientific integrity issues through metascience and evidence-based research standards. Emerging technologies like AI are transforming how researchers conduct, communicate, and disseminate their work.
The rise of AI-generated content threatens authenticity in the clinical landscape, from AI chatbot impersonations to deepfakes of real physicians. Existing laws and regulations are struggling to keep pace with these emerging challenges.
Researchers believe that weaker penalties for misconduct, low investigation likelihood, and minimal perceived consequences contribute to increased misconduct. The study identifies three distinct groups of researchers, each with different perspectives on what drives misconduct.
Dimensions Citation Check API detects self-citation, evaluates instances in context, and provides risk ratings for journal editors' decision-making. The tool aims to safeguard research integrity by addressing the challenge of excessive or gratuitous self-citation.
The new section in JMIR Neurotechnology focuses on the responsible and ethical use of neurotechnology. Submissions welcome for original research, case series, theoretical viewpoints, and data-driven analyses on ethics and policy in neurotechnology.
A study led by UC Riverside highlights the importance of rigorous participant verification procedures in online health research to maintain data quality. Researchers found that combining automated screening, human review, and participant verification can substantially improve confidence in online research findings.
Research waste refers to wasting scientific resources due to poor practices, compromising internal and external validity. JMIR Metascience and Research Integrity publishes metascience articles exploring the shortcomings of published literature and investigating its negative impact on real-world outcomes.
Researchers surveyed in Sweden reveal differing attitudes towards research misconduct and questionable practices across disciplines. Medical scientists hold the strictest views, while social sciences and humanities researchers tend to be more lenient, particularly with regards to open science.
A study by the Alliance Foundation Trials shows that combining immunotherapy and chemotherapy before surgery can help more patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer undergo complete cancer resection, improving their long-term health. The treatment also led to high rates of lymph node clearance and successful surgical re...
The Journal of Medical Genetics has retracted most of a 2019 guest-edited special issue due to issues with objective peer review and editorial assessment in 7 of the 8 papers. The remaining paper was found to be sound, according to an external review by a subject specialist.
The University of Hong Kong's education subject has been ranked 5th globally and 1st in Asia in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. The Faculty of Education attributes its success to research-led initiatives, strong partnerships, and educating future educators.
A new framework proposes a Confucius-inspired approach to reimagining higher education, focusing on relational, contextualized, inward-calling, and unified practices. The study revisits foundational philosophy to address societal needs and challenges, highlighting the importance of self-cultivation and social order.
A new study proposes a learning architecture that integrates educational philosophy with AI-driven design, aiming to transform assessment into an ongoing process of reflection. The system prioritizes human judgment and interpretation over standardized metrics, enabling educators to build adaptive and interpretable feedback systems.
A working group of scholars and experts proposes three principles - transparency, credit, and accountability - to form the foundation for responsible authorship. The principles aim to address issues of gift, ghost, and coercive authorship and promote a culture of transparency and accountability in scientific research.
A multidisciplinary team proposes three principles for responsible authorship: transparency, credit, and accountability. The guidelines aim to address issues like gift or honorific authorship, ghost authorship, and coercive authorship, and promote a culture of trustworthiness in science.
A new commentary raises concerns about editorial bias in scientific publishing, particularly in relation to COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy. The authors highlight the rejection of a case report and literature review that raised potential links between mRNA vaccines and rare blood cancers.
The partnership integrates Dimensions Author Check API into ScholarOne Manuscripts, providing publishers with reliable insights into authors' and reviewers' publishing histories. This integration enables quick detection of unusual activities, such as retractions or atypical collaboration patterns.
A new machine learning tool has identified over 250,000 cancer research papers that may have been produced by 'paper mills', companies selling fake or low-quality scientific studies. The study found suspicious writing patterns in these papers, which can be detected by large language models.
A Mizzou researcher developed an antibody that attaches to and lights up EphA2 protein in cancerous tumors, allowing for non-invasive detection and identification of patients who can benefit from targeted treatments. This innovation could save time and money while advancing precision medicine.
The CUNY Graduate Center has received a $1 million grant from Google.org to support the work of Empire AI, a statewide consortium of 11 public and private academic institutions focused on advancing AI integration in higher education. The award will further the reach of a comprehensive assessment of how best to prepare students for an A...
Researchers found that male fish exposed to vitamin C and potassium perchlorate showed improved fertility and less damage to their testes compared to those exposed only to the chemical. The study suggests a potential safeguard for individuals regularly exposed to these chemicals, including military personnel.
Cliff Megerian, MD, FACS, received the Sam Miller Goodness Award for his compassionate care, world-class research and relentless commitment to kindness. The Values-in-Action Foundation recognized UH's dedication to making Northeast Ohio a better place.
The TIER2 project is hosting its final online event to celebrate its achievements and explore the future of reproducible research. The event will examine technological developments, varied research practices, and evolving policy frameworks shaping expectations for transparent science.
The new research integrity toolkit, created with and for early career researchers, addresses common questions and provides practical advice to avoid integrity pitfalls. The comprehensive guide covers the principles of research integrity, including determining authorship credit, understanding plagiarism, and handling integrity concerns.
A study published in PLOS One found that women authors comprise just 16.5% of first authors in a dataset of 878 retracted medical papers, despite accounting for at least 41% of first authors across biomedical publications. Women were also underrepresented among last authors and had fewer multiple retractions.
A new study found that nearly 1 in 5 citations generated by GPT-4o were entirely fabricated, while over two-thirds contained errors, indicating a major reliability issue. Researchers and journals must implement stronger safeguards to validate accuracy and authenticity.
A new study reveals that widely cited statistics on global water and food security are based on weak evidence and poorly connected to current data. The findings suggest that irrigation's role in global food and water security is highly ambiguous, ranging from 18% to 50%, and its share of global freshwater withdrawals is uncertain.
Editage's expansion into Germany brings a legacy of quality, trust, and subject-area specialization to the country's respected research environment. The company aims to strengthen support for researchers in Germany, helping them communicate their discoveries effectively while preserving authenticity and integrity.
Researchers warn that advances in AI and neurotechnology are outpacing our understanding of consciousness, with potential serious ethical consequences. A better understanding of consciousness could have major implications for AI, prenatal policy, animal welfare, medicine, mental health, law, and emerging neurotechnologies.
The guidelines address research methodology and peer review while setting standards for disclosure and reproducibility. They emphasize the importance of transparency and routine disclosure to ensure the integrity of the scientific record.
University of Missouri researchers are helping farmers prevent disease outbreaks by teaching biosecurity practices, such as hand sanitizing and wearing farm-dedicated shoes. They also provide guidance on safe composting methods to dispose of dead livestock, reducing the risk of disease spread.
The new API helps compliance teams quickly identify potential areas of concern and streamline reviews, strengthening oversight and safeguarding funding and reputations. It enables the review of researchers and collaborators with structured data that supports efficient workflows.
A new tool called the QQM Checklist has been developed to address gaps in existing methods for evaluating quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies. The checklist is a concise, versatile tool that enhances rigor in assessing diverse study types and supports more transparent, evidence-based decisions.
Editage China's new offering combines human expertise with advanced AI tools to deliver a unique blend of services, addressing the evolving needs of Chinese researchers. The hybrid solution helps researchers navigate the opportunities and blind spots of AI in publishing.
Siddharth Bhatia joins CACTUS to drive growth and expansion in institutional and enterprise sales. He brings over two decades of global experience in scaling business relationships and driving data-driven growth strategies.
A new white paper urges placing biodiversity at the heart of the UN Pact for the Future, highlighting its essential role in food security, public health, and climate stability. The authors propose a global alliance to integrate biodiversity conservation into the core priorities of the UN Summit of the Future.
Six Japan-led programs will be presented at the Science Summit UNGA80, addressing global challenges such as food and water security, rare diseases, inclusive education, and research ethics. The programs are open to a global audience and offer free registration.
Researchers associated with a fictitious network have collectively netted millions of dollars in funding from the US, Japan, Ireland, and other nations. The investigation highlights weaknesses in research and publishing systems that can be exploited for personal gain.
The World Conference of Science Journalists 2025 will explore the intersection of science journalism and social justice, featuring sessions on ocean science reporting, environmental injustice, AI's impact on journalism, and more. The event aims to promote scientific accuracy and amplify marginalized voices.
The University of Cincinnati has established the Center for Explainable, Ethical and Trustworthy AI (CEET) with a $498,430 federal grant. The center will explore AI explainability, ethics, and trustworthiness through research and public engagement initiatives.
A new analysis of data on scientists with exceptional early-career success identified common characteristics, including affiliation with institutions in less developed countries and work in specific fields. These findings could aid efforts to distinguish stellar talent from problematic behaviors.
Emerald Publishing has adopted Dimensions Author Check to improve research integrity and transparency. The platform provides a fast and reliable way for publishers to verify authors' publishing and collaboration histories, helping them spot unusual activities such as retractions or atypical collaboration patterns.
The Journal of Medical Ethics has been ranked the world's leading bioethics journal according to 2025 Google Scholar Metrics. The journal is co-led by Associate Professor Brian D Earp and a new editorial team seeking to promote ethical reflection and conduct in scientific research and medical practice.
A special issue examines how AI can support human flourishing in various contexts, including healthcare, education, and digital interactions. The issue highlights the need for humane AI that balances technological advancement with human-centric values and psychological insight.
A new case report documents a rare instance of lipoleiomyoma, a benign uterine tumor with characteristics similar to malignant liposarcoma. The diagnosis was confirmed through histopathological evaluation and imaging techniques, emphasizing the importance of careful assessment in elderly patients.
The study found that almost half of researchers have experienced the Gollum effect, with two-thirds reporting repeated encounters. The phenomenon undermines scientific progress and disproportionately affects early-career and less established researchers.
A new study published in ECNU Review of Education highlights the effectiveness of school-to-school collaboration in improving student academic performance, particularly in underperforming schools. Structured collaboration, peer relationships, and principal leadership contribute to enhanced learning outcomes.
A study has found that AI tools are contributing to a surge in low-quality research papers using large health datasets. Researchers recommend stronger peer review processes, statistical reviewers, and transparent data usage to protect scientific integrity.
A systematic scoping review reveals substantial inequities in gender representation among US academic medical center leaders. Despite female-dominated specialties, women are largely excluded from leadership positions across various niches of academic medicine.
Approximately 1,900 US scientists warn that the Trump administration's actions are slowing scientific advances and harming Americans. The experts argue that gutting funding for research, firing scientists, and removing public access to data will damage the economy and national security.
A study published in PLOS One found that scholars accused of sexual misconduct experience a significant decrease in citation rates, unlike those accused of scientific misconduct. Non-academics also reported greater aversion to citing works of accused scholars with sexual misconduct accusations.
Scholastica's new integration with Crossmark allows journals to link article updates and retractions, ensuring the scholarly record's accuracy. The feature supports Crossref member organizations' efforts to maintain integrity and provide metadata for readers and downstream services.
The book examines AI's current advances, hurdles, and potential, emphasizing the need for science to maintain core norms and values. Experts advocate for human accountability and responsibility when using AI in research, highlighting the importance of transparent disclosure and attribution.
A new paper reveals widespread transnational human rights violations (THRVs) due to repressive states' intensifying tactics. The authors urge the establishment of 'Transnational Rights Protection Offices' to provide support and guidance for individuals affected by these actions.
Christian Wolfrum will serve as NTU's chief academic officer, overseeing educational and research excellence, while strengthening talent development. He brings experience in translating research into real-world applications, having co-founded biotechnology firm Glycemicon AG.
The book uses a 'history from below' approach to center the voices of petitioners, revealing how they framed their demands using language like justice, rights, and equity. Through over 4,000 petitions, Dr. Bright Alozie shows the significance of this genre in shaping colonial society and influencing decision-making.
A new study published in JCOM identified the characteristics of polarized scientific digital messages, proposing a system to codify and characterize polarized discourses. The research found that simplifying and presenting scientific information as unquestionable can limit critical thinking and hinder scientific progress.