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In the 1920s, the statistician Ronald Fisher introduced a statistical theory system based on probability calculations and evaluations. Fisher coined the term “p-value” to denote the probability of observing the obtained results, assuming that the independent variable is not influenced or manipulated. This calculation helps evaluate the likelihood of such results within the research context. Later, Neyman and Pearson proposed the concepts of null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis, advocating for the inclusion of both in the hypothesis testing. While the two approaches to testing statistical hypotheses were different, these approaches were later integrated into what is now known as null hypothesis significance testing, with the p-value as a standardized measure for statistical analysis. In recent years, however, the academic community has identified a concerning trend known as “p-hacking,” where researchers misuse or abuse data analysis to achieve misleading statistical significance. Then, researchers claim to have speciously successful experiments and publish the implausible research results in journals. This paper focuses on p-hacking within quantitative educational research, exploring its origins, definition, technique, impact, and how journals prevent the manipulation of p-hacking. Finally, this paper reinstates the correct perception of p-value with recommendations for preventing p-hacking, including providing evidence of practical significance while presenting statistical significance, ensuring replicability of research results, stating the structure and details of statistical analysis, and judicious selection of appropriate analytical techniques.

資訊隱私權是現代人生活中重要權利之一，高等教育階段學生對資訊隱私之個人資料保護法（簡稱個資法）的理解程度，是落實此權利之基礎。本研究設計情境案例問卷，蒐集到745 位高等教育學生對個資法理解之情形，結果顯示：1. 高度理解部分為「通知義務」。2. 中度理解是關於公務機關之定義，以及委託者負擔損害賠償責任。3. 低度理解是(1) 死亡者個人資料不受個資法保護；(2) 個人資料之定義；(3) 蒐集事項之告知；(4) 對特種個人資料之蒐集；(5) 非公務機關負擔損害賠償之要件；(6) 不適用個資法之兩種情況。至於對一般個人資料之蒐集，視實際具體情況為低度或中度理解。上述研究發現，可作為大專校院對學生個資法教育之參酌。 Information privacy is one of the important rights in modern people’s lives, and the level of understanding regarding information privacy in the Personal Data Protection Act (hereinafter referred to as the PDPA) by students at the higher education stage (that is, at the university level or above) is the basis for exercising the right. To explore students' understanding of the PDPA, the researcher distributed the “PDPA situational-case questionnaire,” and collected responses from 745 students. Results of the analysis stated that, firstly, the students have a high level of understanding in terms of “notification obligation”. Secondly, students possess a moderate understanding of the definition of government agency and the liability of the commissioning agency for damages. Lastly, students have a low level understanding in the following concepts: 1. the personal data of the deceased are not protected by the PDPA; 2. Definition of personal data; 3. Notification of collection matters; 4. Collection of special personal data; 5. The condition for a non-government agency shall be liable for the damages; 6. Two situations where the PDPA is not applicable. In addition, students have a low or moderate understanding of the collection, processing and use of general personal data, depending on the actual situation. Results of the study can be used as a reference for colleges and universities in the development of PDPA courses.

Results of academic research require publication and need to be reviewed by peers before they can contribute to the existing body of knowledge. Among the various means of publishing research findings, researchers may, according to past academic practices, first present their research results in conferences, seminars or symposiums, and then submit their results to journals for publication. Hence, the issue of “extended publication”, where conference papers are revised and submitted to journals, has gained attention in the library and information science community. This study collected public documents on the Internet and applied document analysis to examine the ethical considerations regarding such extension practice. First, this research reviewed the basic principles of research integrity and responsible behavior. Secondly, this research listed several types of violation related to research paper writing and submission, and studied the guidelines established by both domestic and foreign academic organizations, publishers, and journals. The findings of the research were used to provide specific recommendations on the best practices for extending conference papers to journal articles.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders, which characterized by increased pathological marker protein, α-synuclein (α-syn) and phosphorylated-Ser129-α-syn in the extracellular fluids. Current methods of measuring the p-Ser129-α-syn concentration in cerebrospinal fluid for PD are based on ELISA method, however, the amount of area under the curve (AUC) to predict PD is around 0.7-0.8. Higher confidence level of AUC in p-Ser129-α-syn quantification for the early diagnosis of PD would be essential. Methods: Detection of p-Ser129-α-syn in diluted human serum for diagnosis of PD was investigated by a modified paired surface plasma wave biosensor (PSPWB) using a quarter wave plate for better detection performance. The method combining an immunoassay and non-labeled technique measures the p-Ser129-α-syn level with high sensitivity and specificity. Ten patients with PD at early stage (Hohn & Yahr stage I and II) and 11 age-matched healthy control participants were recruited for measurement of serum p-Ser129-α-syn. Results: AUC of the p-Ser129-α-syn in diluted human serum was 0.92 and it shows that p-Ser129-α-syn in diluted human serum could be used as a sensitive biomarker for the diagnosis of PD in clinics. Results clearly show that the measured p-Ser129-α-syn concentration in diluted human serum displays a statistical significance between health control subjects and PD patients. Conclusions: P-Ser129-α-syn has low abundance in human serum, high detection sensitivity and specificity are critical to the success of the diagnosis of PD in clinics. In this study, a modified PSPWB was developed that the limit of detection at 1 ng/mL for p-Ser129-α-syn (standard) spiked into diluted human serum of a healthy control was performed. This result shows that the modified PSPWB can be used as a platform for detecting p-Ser129-α-syn in diluted human serum as a potential biomarker for PD.

This study aims to explore the publishing policies and submission guidelines of 110 academic journals covered in the Taiwan Social Sciences Citation Index (TSSCI) during 2018 and 2019. Using document analysis, information regarding academic ethics and copyright are analyzed. The results indicate that most of the journals emphasize manuscript originality. In addition, about 40% of journals clearly indicates that authors are obliged to avoid plagiarism and provide proper and accurate citation. Less than 30% of journals specifically state the obligations and responsibilities of scholarly authors. More than 40% of journals set up regulations for co-authorship. Less than 30% of journals clearly state that authors need to make a conflict-of-interest disclosure. Still a few journals use vague or imprecise legal terms in their policies. Based on the results, this study further provides practical advice in academic publishing. Specific suggestions include providing complete submission instructions and revising them in a timely manner, reviewing journal publishing ethics and operating policy to keep in line with international practices, and formulating regulations in response to the various scholarship and journal publishing movements.(Article content in Chinese with English extended abstract)

The present study concerned the database, Case Closeout Memoranda, established by the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the United States. In the study, the current authors retrieved 3,064 reported cases of suspected noncompliance in research between 1989 to 2019. We then analyzed the classification of misbehaviors and subsequent actions; the authors also investigated the evolution of the violations and actions over the three decades. The preliminary results include the following: the closed cases over the years can be categorized into 31 types of misbehaviors and 5 types of subsequent actions; the total number of closed cases increased significantly after 2004 and reached a peak in the same year; among the closed cases, verbatim plagiarism accounts for the most significant reported breach, followed by grant frauds; in terms of subsequent actions, individuals with fewer breaches were often warned about questionable research practices, and a major portion of those with more severe issues performed administrative actions, followed by monetary recovery and being defined as research misconduct. Finally, the authors proposed establishing a national case database of noncompliance in research in Taiwan to promote retrospective studies and categorization research further. In addition, the authors hoped that Taiwanese local government ministries and research institutions can consider the suggestions in the article to uphold accountability, transparency, and social responsibility. (Article content in Chinese with English extended abstract)

In Taiwan, writing a thesis or dissertation is a basic need for graduate students to fulfill their requirement for graduation. The traditional thesis or dissertation usually refers to a monograph written and formatted by required order after completing a single research. Only students from a few departments may use their certificates of achievement with written reports or technical reports as substitutes for their theses or dissertations and apply for graduation. In recent years, the thesis by publication (TBP) approach has begun to appear. Foreign universities have their own policies and regulations for including published works as part of final thesis submission, and there are also a number of related research papers in the academic field. In Taiwan, some university departments have already adopted the TBP approach for years, but it seems that no local university has a clear school policy or brings up relevant perspectives to the authorities for discussion. To address the issue of TBP, this study uses document analysis method, analyzing public documents on the Internet and aims to portrait the TBP approach from literature. Firstly, the author inspects school regulations of Australian, UK, and Japanese universities; secondly, research papers are reviewed and the definition of TBP along with topics for consideration are listed. The recast of capability for independent research and practical practices are also discussed and presented, in the hope that this study will serve as a reference for policy makers in Taiwan’s higher education.

In recent years, organizations worldwide have widely applied the project approach in business and value delivery. Negotiation is essential to the success of a project; however, it has not been explored systematically in the project context. A gap remains between knowledge and practical behavior during negotiation settlements throughout projects. Many project procurement (PP) negotiations do not work as expected. This study develops a practical framework using the scientific method to help close the gap and improve PP negotiations. The proposed framework uses the fuzzy TOPSIS (technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution) method to integrate the PP management process (PPMP) and the three-phase negotiating model. Through this approach, notable variables and potential solutions under uncertain negotiation situations are quantitatively examined in the early stage and managed until the completion of PP. Thus, expected agreements can be obtained in a timely and efficient manner, with negotiating parties committing to implementing what has been agreed on. Such a commitment facilitates win-win outcomes. An example is presented to demonstrate how the proposed framework operates, and practical implications for managers of project-based organizations are offered. This study provides researchers and practitioners with a foundation to study refined models to enhance project negotiations with interdisciplinary integration.

In this study, the researchers would like to explore Taiwanese primary and secondary school teachers’ understanding on the provisions of the Personal Data Protection Act (hereinafter referred to as “PDPA”). A self-developed test, with 17 questions in 7 scenarios, was distributed to 519 primary and secondary school teachers in all regions of Taiwan. Results of the survey stated that, firstly, the teachers surveyed displayed a medium or low level of understanding in terms of areas in which the PDPA is not applicable depending on different circumstances. Secondly, the participating teachers showed a low level of understanding in terms of whether teachers should be held liable for damages if his/her conduct is not gross negligence. Moreover, the teachers surveyed manifested a medium level of understanding in terms of the scope of government agencies, liability for damages of the commissioning agency and the commissioned agency, the collection of special category personal data, and the conditions for exemption of damages from government agencies. Finally, the teachers in the survey demonstrated a high level of understanding in the following aspects: protected objects; the collection, processing and use of general personal data; notification obligation; the liability for damages (e.g., the teacher’s conduct of gross negligence, the school’s practice of assigning dedicated personnel to implement security measures for personal data protection); requested circumstances where it is impossible to estimate the amount of damages. The results of this study can be used as reference materials for school teacher workshops or for learning content development.

In recent years, academic ethics has garnered increased attention in Taiwan. However, due to limited understanding and discussion of self-plagiarism, no clear consensus exists on principles and standards for recognizing and handling the issue. The purpose of this study is to clarify key concepts, regulations, and best practices regarding self-plagiarism so that local scholars can approach this new ethical issue from an informed perspective. Using the method of document analysis, published articles are analyzed to illustrate current norms related to self-plagiarism. This article examines the concept of self-plagiarism in terms of the emergence of concern for this ethical issue, relevant definitions, methods for recognizing its occurrence, common types and exclusions, and the importance of avoiding the pitfalls of self-plagiarism. The analysis also cites an actual case of self-plagiarism that took place in the Netherlands to illustrate the controversies surrounding self-plagiarism. In addition, the article summarizes the historical evolution of relevant norms of self-plagiarism in Taiwan and proposes methods to guide best practices regarding ethical scholarly writing and publishing. (Article content in Chinese with English extended abstract)

All researchers involved in scientific inquiries have an obligation to follow the norms regarding academic ethics to ensure the quality of their research and to gain trust from the public. As the primary funding agency in the Taiwanese government, the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan (MOST) has published various academic ethics-related regulations and policies. The MOST also irregularly releases case summaries of academic ethics violations. However, whether Taiwanese researchers fully understand the academic ethics related rules and policies of the MOST remains debatable. In this vein, the present study adopts a survey method, inviting five experts of academic ethics and 232 local researchers (i.e., principal investigators [PIs] of MOST-funded research projects) to explore their (mis)understanding regarding the topics of plagiarism, improper citations, and self-plagiarism through case scenarios. The current results suggest that the participants (both the experts and PIs) do not seem to understand the definitions of the three topics above fully; they also hold different opinions on the credit attributions between advisors’ funded research and students’ dissertations. In conclusion, the results of this study are expected to be used as references for the amendment of current academic ethics-related regulations and policies of the MOST as well as local universities and colleges and research institutions.

This study aimed to address the teaching readiness issues of OpenCourseWare (OCW). Specifically, the research goal was to examine Taiwanese college faculty members’ level of teaching readiness for OCW via a questionnaire named “Teaching Readiness Scale for OCW” (TRS-OCW). A total of 142 Taiwanese college faculty members both with and without OCW teaching experience participated in this study. The results showed that faculty members with OCW teaching experience had significantly higher readiness levels in the factors of perception of administrative support, personal characteristics, and OCW recognition when compared to faculty members without OCW teaching experience. Male faculty members with OCW teaching experience had higher readiness than female faculty members with OCW teaching experience in the OCW recognition factor. Moreover, the job position of OCW-experienced faculty did not make a difference in any readiness factor. Finally, perceived administrative support was the only significant predictor of the willingness of college faculty without OCW teaching experience to provide OCW in the future.

This study aims to apply a sequential analysis to explore the effect of learning motivation on online reading behavioral patterns. The study’s participants consisted of 160 graduate students who were classified into three group types: low reading duration with low motivation, low reading duration with high motivation, and high reading duration based on a second-order cluster analysis. After performing a sequential analysis, this study reveals that highly motivated students exhibited a relatively serious reading pattern in a multi-tasking learning environment, and that online reading duration was a significant indicator of motivation in taking an online course. Finally, recommendations were provided to instructors and researchers based on the results of the study.

OpenCourseWare (OCW), a set of free-of-use learning materials established by universities, became quite a success over the years and aroused the users’ willingness to learn online. However, the design of OCW websites, including the structure, organization of learning resources and interfaces is multi-variant and disordered. The system and arrangement are still lacking of an evaluation standard. The goal of this study is to establish and verify the dimensions and the criteria that are suitable for evaluation of OCW websites. To achieve the research goal, the researchers performed document analysis and the Delphi Method. Sixteen experts in a total took part in the Delphi panel. By giving three rounds of questionnaire to those experts in the self-developed e-Delphi system, the researcher gathered their opinions then analyzed them back and forth. The final edition of the Evaluation Dimensions and Criteria for OpenCourseWare Website includes seven dimensions with fifty-seven criteria. Finally, concrete suggestions for OCW website establishment and administration were provided. Implications and recommendations for future research were also addressed.

Because of the high heterogeneity of breast cancer (BC), BC subtype-specific biomarker panel might be useful for diagnostic BC or becomes an adjunct assay to improve the accuracy of current screening methods. In this study, we measured the protein levels of human epidermal receptor-2 extracellular domain (HER2 ECD) and total prostate-specific antigen (t-PSA) in the serum from 14 BC patients and 8 healthy controls by utilizing our previously developed high-throughput metal-enhanced fluorescence biosensor. The experimental results showed that the summation of HER2 ECD and t-PSA serum levels is proposed in this study. We found that AUC >0.9 of better ability to distinguish HER2+ group from HER2− and healthy groups. In the mean time, if taking the ratio of t-PSA and HER2 ECD serum levels, it is very useful able to differentiate HER2− group from HER2+ and healthy groups at value of AUC >0.8. To our best knowledge, this is for the first time to integrate serum levels of HER2 ECD and t-PSA levels potentially suggested in the screening BC patients for further improving the specificity by using our developed high-throughput metal-enhanced fluorescence biosensor.

We propose a novel optical method for glucose measurement based on diffuse photon-pair density wave (DPPDW) in a multiple scattering medium (MSM) where the light scattering of photon-pair is induced by refractive index mismatch between scatters and phantom solution. Experimentally, the DPPDW propagates in MSM via a two-frequency laser (TFL) beam wherein highly correlated pairs of linear polarized photons are generated. The reduced scattering coefficient μ2s′ and absorption coefficient μ2a of DPPDW are measured simultaneously in terms of the amplitude and phase measurements of the detected heterodyne signal under arrangement at different distances between the source and detection fibers in MSM. The results show that the sensitivity of glucose detection via glucose-induced change of reduced scattering coefficient (δμ2s′) is 0.049%mM−1 in a 1% intralipid solution. In addition, the linear range of δμ2s′ vs glucose concentration implies that this DPPDW method can be used to monitor glucose concentration continuously and noninvasively subcutaneously.