What is this about? (Is About)
From The Embassy of Good Science
A short summary providing some details about the theme/resource (max. 75 words)
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This study provides information on evaluation of the citations related to publications by trainees in the Fogarty International Center's International Research Ethics Education and Curriculum Development program. The authors analyzed 328 papers published between 2004 and 2008. The results show that the number of citations per paper is 3, 12.6% of papers were cited more than 10 times and the h-index is 22. +
Retraction Watch presents the case of a researcher who failed to declare conflicts of interest in his research;he has also allegedly fabricated and falsified data on his research to reach certain conclusions. +
This case study examines the use of deepfake AI technology in psychotherapy to help patients process trauma and grief. AI-generated synthetic media can simulate conversations with a deceased loved one or a perpetrator of trauma, allowing patients to confront unresolved emotions. The approach aims to support emotional closure in situations where real interactions are impossible. Although early research shows potential therapeutic value, the technology raises concerns about psychological safety, consent, and the ethical use of sensitive personal data. +
This case study examines how recruiters use AI tools in hiring processes to screen and evaluate job candidates. AI systems analyze CVs, application forms, and interview records to match candidate profiles with job requirements and score applicants based on skills, experience, and education. Etnicas audited such systems in Barcelona Activa to detect biases and ensure fairness. The project focuses on improving transparency, accountability, and human oversight in AI-driven recruitment decisions. +
This case study examines how security professionals and police officers use AI tools to detect online hate speech on social media platforms. AI systems apply natural language processing and machine learning to scan large volumes of public posts on platforms such as X, Instagram, and TikTok. When potential hate speech is detected, the system flags the content for law enforcement review. Officers then evaluate whether the content meets legal criteria for investigation, such as incitement to violence or harm. +
This case study examines AI systems used as personal and family virtual assistants. These assistants, powered by generative language models, help users manage daily activities, preferences, and communication. One scenario involves a personal AI assistant designed for private interaction and role-play conversations. The second involves a family assistant, Aurora, which supports multiple users in a shared environment by organizing family schedules, planning activities, and managing shopping lists while handling sensitive personal and family data. +
This case study examines the use of AI-powered elderly care robots in Wuxi, such as the Da Tou A Liang robot. The system combines artificial intelligence, IoT, sensors, and data analytics to support seniors living alone. It monitors health indicators, detects emergencies such as falls, provides emotional companionship through conversation, and assists with daily activities like medication reminders and home control. The robot also connects families remotely to monitor the well-being of elderly relatives. +
This case study examines workplaces that use AI tools for behavioral analysis through video monitoring and wearable sensors. Computer vision models analyze workers’ movements to detect task steps, safety violations, and anomalies such as tool misuse or entry into restricted zones. The systems also support productivity optimization, automated reporting, real-time safety alerts, and well-being analysis by detecting stress or fatigue. These AI tools aim to improve workplace efficiency, safety, and monitoring of production processes. +
The use case describes how AI decision-support systems assist medical professionals such as radiologists and vascular surgeons in diagnostics and treatment. AI tools developed by companies like Oxipit and Afliant analyze medical images, detect abnormalities, support surgical planning, and predict possible complications. For example, Oxipit’s chest X-ray system can automatically identify common radiological findings and even autonomously report high-confidence normal images. Afliant’s AI agent supports the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms by extracting data from CT scans, suggesting surgical options, and predicting post-operative risks. These systems reshape clinical workflows by supporting decision-making while keeping clinicians responsible for supervision and final judgment. +
This case study examines how safety engineers use AI tools to accelerate safety analyses in the automotive industry. Companies developing autonomous and assisted driving systems must follow strict safety standards such as ISO 26262 and ISO 21448 (SOTIF). These analyses identify hazards, unsafe control actions, and potential risks using methods like System Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA). NIT is developing an AI-assisted tool that suggests control actions, identifies failure modes, and detects gaps in safety analyses, helping engineers complete safety assessments faster while maintaining compliance with safety standards. +
In this randomized study, authors measured Biostatistics and Research Ethics online course knowledge, compared to traditional on-site training of the same course. Online and on-site training formats led to marked and similar improvements of knowledge in Biostatistics and Research Ethics. +
A framework for assessing the quality of democratic deliberation: enhancing deliberation as a tool for bioethic +
This study offers a framework to a democratic deliberation (DD) project regarding surrogate consent for dementia research. The authors concluded that participants learned and used new information, were collaborative and satisfied with the study. The participants also provided societal policy recommendations with regard to surrogate consent. +
A guidebook for teaching selected responsible conduct of research topics to a culturally diverse trainee group +
The aim of this textbook from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was to address the training needs of a large group of international postdocs regarding the RCR. The textbook contains a summary of different themes related to RCR, a script to facilitate small group discussions and teaching materials for topics regarding data management, intellectual property and research misconduct.
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A meta-analysis of studies of publication misrepresentation by applicants to residency and fellowship programs +
This study evaluates percentages of applicants to residency and fellowship programs that have publication misrepresentation reported in the literature. Most misrepresentations regard listing nonexistent articles, errors in authorship order and non-authorship. The study shows that misrepresentation decreases when uniform inclusion criteria are applied. +
A proposal for a model of informed consent for the collection, storage and use of biological materials for research purposes +
This article suggests a model of informed consent intended for the collection, storage and use of biological materials in local biobanks for health research purposes. The model can serve as a useful guideline for the development of specific consent forms that can be used by researchers. +
A qualitative approach to Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training development: identification of metacognitive strategies +
This article discusses qualitative approach to RCR training development, based on a sensemaking model. It identifies nine metacognitive reasoning strategies for future development of RCR training. +
The authors of this study conducted a scoping review to explore the competency requirements for editors of biomedical journals. They informed that this was the first step to develop a set of core competences for editors of biomedical journals. +
The study described systematic efforts to develop instructional programs with regard to defining and planning learning needs and environment as well as evaluating learning. The focus of the study was on research ethics. It concluded that a systematic framework to develop instruction in research ethics needs to be applied. +
This study presents an overview of virtue ethics theory. It also identifies common ethical problems in community-based participatory research (CBPR). The authors discuss how virtues can be used as a guide in ethical research practice. +
ACCELERATION SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE INSTITUTIONAL TRANSFORMATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS +
The document is the first joint “policy brief” by CATALISI, Accelerate Future HEI and aUPaEU, three European-funded projects supporting institutional transformation of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through the adoption of so-called “acceleration services.” The brief outlines the early outcomes from the first year of implementation and connects them to priorities in the European Research Area (ERA) Policy Agenda 2022‑2024. It describes how the projects set up tools and services to help universities transform research & innovation (R&I) structures, governance, and practices including co-creation activities, living labs, mutual learning, and a digital “Catalyst Hub.” So far, the work includes needs assessments, creation of roadmaps for individual HEIs, building a catalogue of acceleration services, and establishing a Community of Practice. The brief also identifies gaps and challenges in translating ERA-level policy aims into concrete institutional action. +
