Find the codes of ethic for your profession. For instance, an electrical engineer would focus on the IEEE Code of Ethics, and a biologist might focus on the Code of Ethics for the Society for Conservation Biology. Once you identify the principles for your field, consider the following questions:
- Where do you find principles explicitly related to writing or communication in the code of ethics for your field?
- Where are connections less obvious?
- Are there ideas about writing and communication that you think they are missing?
After you analyze the code for your field, share what you have found in a comment on this post. Be sure to identify your field and link to your code, and then talk about anything interesting or surprising that you found about writing and communication in your field’s ethical code. Alternately, you can consider anything that is missing from your field’s code.
Photo credit: Ethics CC BY-SA 3.0 Nick Youngson.
22 Comments
I am a computer engineer, and as such my code of ethics falls under IEEE (https://www.ieee.org/about/corporate/governance/p7-8.html). There are not any principles in our code of ethics that explicitly mention writing, but there are a few that relate to communication. For example “to be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available data” or “to seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work, to acknowledge and correct errors, and to credit properly the contributions of others”. I don’t find these particular portions of the code of ethics surprising, but I feel like they are more important than some may think. There have been several engineering-related catastrophes due to miscommunication (like the Challenger explosion) and engineers and companies need to follow this code in order to protect lives in the future.
I’m also a computer engineering student. that #5 on the website is very important. Being able to clearly communicate technological details to those of a non-technical field is very important. Right now, many people are scared of artificial intelligence. It is the job of anyone that follows the IEEE code of ethics to be able to explain the real implications of AI. Like you say above, providing real and honest feedback and criticism is very important in terms of scholarly publications but also the communication that can cause public outcry like with AI. While the code of ethics does not specifically mention writing, I think we can put writing under the umbrella of communication considering it is a major form of communications.
I’m also in computer engineering, and I agree that nothing in the code is surprising to me at all. Computer and Electrical Engineering are relatively new fields compared to some other fields, so while I don’t think any code of ethics is perfect, the IEEE Code of Ethics covers a lot of the issues faced today have electrical and computer engineers. I agree that writing would fall under communication, since it is one of the main ways ideas are exchanged in the industry, whether it be through papers, emails, or comments in a code.
I am a civil engineer and the Code of Ethics for the American Society of Civl Engineers is on the website: https://www.asce.org/code-of-ethics/. After reading the 8 canons of the code of ethics, briefly in the 7th Canon it says “Engineers should encourage engineering employees to attend and present papers at professional and technical society meetings.” So I would consider this to fall under the code of ethics for writing. That is really the only part that I was able to find on the topic of writing. However, when it comes to communication there are many examples in the code of ethics about this. One example of communication is, “Engineers whose professional judgment is overruled under circumstances where the safety, health and welfare of the public are endangered, or the principles of sustainable development ignored, shall inform their clients or employers of the possible consequences.” Another example is, “Engineers should endeavor to extend the public knowledge of engineering and sustainable development, and shall not participate in the dissemination of untrue, unfair or exaggerated statements regarding engineering.” Based on the code of ethics that I read for Civil Engineers, it seems like they have to obviously communicate with their clients or even the public if they see that something might endanger the public in one way or another.
I’m also a civil engineer and I think the code of ethics for civil engineers has a lot of information about communicating through reports and statements because civil engineers work with the public more than other engineering professions. Therefore, a part of our code of ethics states that “Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements, or testimony. They shall include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports, statements, or testimony.” This relates to technical writing in the profession in a way that the public can understand and that gives them all information they need to know to make important decisions about matters relating to infrastructure and public health improvements.
Here is a code of ethics related to my profession of computer engineering:
https://www.acm.org/about-acm/acm-code-of-ethics-and-professional-conduct#sect2
This is for software engineers so I think it applies to the career I will be following upon graduation. I found some principles explicitly related to writing/communication in the “Principles” section. For example, one principle in the code says “Be fair and avoid deception in all statements, particularly public ones, concerning software or related documents, methods and tools”. I think this would relate to documents like product descriptions or release notes.
I also want to point out this statement: “Work to develop software and related documents that respect the privacy of those who will be affected by that software.” because I found it interesting that even though this is in the code of ethics that software engineers should be following, there is still controversy over whether some companies are violating this.
The main ideas about writing/communication that I think this code is missing are ideas about professional communication within the workplace. The code mentions that you should “Assist colleagues in professional development” but it doesn’t seem to discuss simply being professional in your communication with your colleagues and supervisors.
Sorry, posted the wrong link. Here is the link to the software engineering code:
https://www.computer.org/web/education/code-of-ethics
I am an electrical engineer, so I will follow the IEEE code of ethics. Other than IEEE’s citation format, it does not mention anything related to ethics on writing. However, after reading the code of ethics, I came across #9: “to avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious action.” This statement is very closely related to the Tuesday’s infographic. The “false or malicious action” could be done online and could be damaging to a fellow IEEE member’s career. (IEEE link: https://www.ieee.org/about/corporate/governance/p7-8.html)
I am a chemical engineering, so I follow the AIChE code of ethics. This is an organization that connects the chemical engineers in America on a single platform. The rules that are listed are fairly general, and I feel like over all the different areas of study the same basics are listed. They all say to present honest results, conduct work that will not harm the public, treat co-workers with respect, general ideas that I think are fairly common sense in any work career. The only mention about writing and communication in the AlChE code of ethics is to “Issue statements or present information only in an objective and truthful manner.” This can be interpreted very loosely in terms of writing and communication. I understand why most of these codes are general and open ended, but if they were long and detailed I feel like most people would not take the time to read it. So making it short allows readers to get a general idea of what their responsibilities are.
Here is the link: https://www.aiche.org/about/code-ethics
I agree, I think making it short and to the point is helpful. Maybe though if they had a way of linking each simple thought that’s found on the code of ethics page to a different document that laid out each individual ethical code as well as the effect that the action could have on the company and others, then there would be no room for confusion on what someone in the engineering field can and can’t do on the job. That way there would be less errors performed and people would know what’s expected of them.
I am also Chemical Engineering, so I read through the AIChE code of ethics and then looked at both of your comments. I think that having a short code of ethics definitely helps to get more people to read through the whole thing. But I think a bigger benefit to the broad wording from AIChE is legally, their language is so broad that nearly any situation can be interpreted as falling under it. The issue with more specificity is that loopholes can arise, and the code might not stay current with new technology and associated issues.
One of the statement in the code says: “Formally advise their employers or clients (and consider further disclosure, if warranted) if they perceive that a consequence of their duties will adversely affect the present or future health or safety of their colleagues or the public.” But “formally advise” can mean almost anything, and I think communication breakdowns are likely to occur due to the broad language. Plus, there are no further steps to follow should the employer not care about the potential adverse effects, while the code says the employee should be loyal to both the employer and the public: what should they do in this situation?
https://www.aiche.org/about/code-ethics
I follow the NIH ethics guidelines that pertain to Human Subject Research as deemed necessary by the IRB as I am currently working on an oral history project as an intern. There is talk about oral history being removed from IRB regulations and NIH guidelines as these were both created in response to unethical and unsafe experiments and studies such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment that infected African American men with syphilis without their knowledge and without treatment. Oral history poses no physical threat to human life or safety other than possible emotional response during retellings of experiences which is something that is already taken into consideration when preparing and conducting interviews. If I choose to pursue becoming a certified food scientist I would have to follow the CFS code of ethics which are honestly basic common sense guidelines that any nutritional professional should follow in their career. It’s really about giving accurate, non-biased information and providing care without compromising the safety, identity, or medical information gathered about a person in your care.
http://www.ift.org/certification/forcandidates/code-of-ethics.aspx
I am in Civil Engineering and their code of ethics can be found on the ASCE website: https://www.asce.org/code-of-ethics/. Principles explicitly related to writing or communication can be found in several of the 8 canons of the code of ethics. In the third canon it states that “Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements, or testimony”. Several points in canon five discuss giving proper credit and being honest while communicating with others. Overall the code of ethics stresses honesty in all forms of writing and communication. I think that a code of ethics is very important and it should be in writing so that everyone is on the same page. I think that the code of ethics by the ASCE is easy to read and understand since it is broken up into the 8 canons that each focus on a certain part of the code of ethics.
For computer scientists, there is the ACM Code of Ethics (https://www.acm.org/about-acm/acm-code-of-ethics-and-professional-conduct), which states a lot of important points about workplace ethics as well as writing and documentation. Specifically regarding writing, there are the codes “be honest and trustworthy”, “give proper credit for intellectual property”, “respect the privacy of others”, and “honor confidentiality”. There is also section 2.5 which states that computer scientists must accurately and thoroughly analyze computer systems.
I find these particular codes interesting because they encompass the morals that computer scientists should value when documenting their work. They define values centered on providing service to others and putting forth our best work. Ethical computing (and communication about computing) is about credibility and responsibility.
I’m a food science major, so the IFT or Institute of Food Scientists aim to bring cutting-edge information regarding food, food practices, and food technologies to consumers while performing research and making advancements in the food industry; which includes anything from food safety, bioterrorism, new food product launches, and different food codes and regulations. I found it on this website: http://www.ift.org/certification/forcandidates/code-of-ethics.aspx. This is one of the many food codes that are related to food service. I found that their code of ethics that specifically relates to communication is maintaining confidentiality. The food scientists work with others to develop these new food products and practices, so communication is key in order to understand their next steps in how to ensure proper protocol, however they must also know when not to communicate their thoughts. This could leave a food business exposed and end up hurting their business because someone in the company was trusted with information that was leaked out. The food scientists also have to understand the food rules and codes that are necessary for making new food products. For example if someone wanted to make a new type of ice cream, they need to refer to the FDA online code about the standards necessary to make ice cream such as ensuring that at least 80% of the liquid is cream. These codes help keep the food scientists safe from lawsuits while also following the law. I don’t think anything in necessarily missing from the code, I just think they could elaborate on certain things such as when they explain that when there’s a conflict of interest, to remove yourself from the situation such as during sensory testing. However, they should explain how and why it’s important to remove oneself.
I too am a food scientist and referred to the IFT CFS code of ethics when researching for this post. You point all the basic of any code of ethics and the point of confidentiality in terms of food science. However, a point I found interesting that you did not bring up was the point “Report personal conduct that may violate this Code of Ethics to the International Food Science Certification Commission in a timely manner.” I found it quite interesting that they mention self-reporting violations. I think people are bound to mess up every once in a while but to come forward and admit it in order to correct the problem is something completely different. I think it is important that this code of ethics recognizes people are not perfect but have a way to compensate for that.
A profession I am seriously considering entering, Public Relations, has a code of ethics listed here: https://www.prsa.org/ethics/code-of-ethics/.
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) code of ethics is pretty spot on for what I would’ve guessed and emphasize values important in professions that communicate with the public like honestly, fairness, and free flow of information (similar to journalism almost). However, there were a legal few points that I did not expect that were articulated heavily and in detail, such as conflict of interest, competition, disclosure of information, etc. (which now that I think about makes total sense).
Since I am also taking a basic introductory class in PR, I am still learning about the industry as a whole but feel that these values encompass what I would’ve thought. Overall, I am glad that PR has a code of ethics as strong as this one because sometimes the industry gets a bad rep for “skewing” information or misrepresenting and manipulating information.
The medical profession subscribes to the American Medical Association Code of Medical Ethics (https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/ama-code-medical-ethics). Within this code of ethics is a “Consent, Communication, and Decision Making” section that includes ethics of writing and communication. Written consent must be documents for all treatments and release of medical information. Of course, Patient Confidentiality must be conserved at all times. The written ethics stresses that the all information be presented to the patient in a clear manner, which makes sense because they must be able to comprehend the significance of treatments, diagnoses, etc. I was surprised the ethics didn’t explicitly say not to persuade or give your opinion when presenting the patient with treatment options. IT does say that information should be presented so that the patient can make an informed decisions, but I thought there should be some phrase that prevents doctors conveying their bias.
I’m a computer engineering major so I looked at the IEEE code of ethics, but could not find any principles explicitly related to writing and communication. I assume that #9 “to avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious action” implicitly indicates that my writing or communication with others that might harm others, it should be avoided. That’s what I think it means in terms of writing and communication.
There are several different organizations for constructions professionals that have a Code of Ethics. One of the more prominent organizations in the field is Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) whose Code of Ethics can be found here: https://cmaanet.org/code-of-ethics
While the construction industry hasn’t had the best reputation in the past for being the most ethical, organizations and companies today are working to eliminate this stereotype. This is evident in the code of ethics that it has implemented. For example, there are two specific examples relating to writing and communication in the CMAA Code of Ethics. One is under II.) Obligations to the Client – Release of Information and one is under III.) Obligations to the Profession – Honesty. Both of these are crucial in the construction industry as there is a constant exchange of information and in order to protect yourself, your company and your client there must be a standard established when it comes to this information exchange.
A little less obvious are the codes that relate to integrity when representing your qualifications and availability. These mostly pertain to communication between a company and the public. It is imperative that a company is open and honest about these aspects of their company to ensure that they are able to continue working in the industry. A company that is caught being dishonest will almost inevitably fail. This is quite possibly the most important ethical consideration within the industry.
I am a Chemical Engineering student and I have just searched and found the code of ethics for my field at https://www.aiche.org/about/code-ethics which is approved by the American Institute of Engineers. There are several things that I have learnt from it especially on how to conduct myself in a professional way for my future career. In terms of writing, it does not specifically talked about it but one of the ethics stated that all statements or information must be presented in a truthful and objective manner which means that extra attention needs to be paid into all sorts of future writing tasks such as reports in order to avoid any misinterpretation or misconduct of data.