GEO 567GEO 567Responsible GIS Responsible GIS

Practice:Practice:Ethics for Future Ethics for Future

Geospatial ProfessionalsGeospatial Professionals

OverviewOverview

►Course objectivesCourse objectives

►Defining some terms Defining some terms

►Core activitiesCore activities

► Introductory case study, student Introductory case study, student surveysurvey

Educational ObjectivesEducational Objectives

►Recognize ethical implications of Recognize ethical implications of geographic technologiesgeographic technologies

►Develop stronger, more sophisticated Develop stronger, more sophisticated reasoning skillsreasoning skills

►Understand “moral ecologies” of Understand “moral ecologies” of various organizations and institutionsvarious organizations and institutions

►Feel free to talk about ethics in the Feel free to talk about ethics in the workplaceworkplace

Attributes of a ProfessionAttributes of a Profession

► Specialized body of knowledgeSpecialized body of knowledge► MissionMission► Formal organizationFormal organization► Common languageCommon language► Specialized trainingSpecialized training► Culture and loreCulture and lore► Code of ethicsCode of ethics► Licensing/CertificationLicensing/Certification

(Pugh as reported in Obermeyer)

Pugh, D.L. 1989. Professionalism in public administration, Public Administration Review, 49: 1-8.

Obermeyer, N. J. 1993. Certifying GIS professionals: Challenges and alternatives, URISA Journal, 5(1).

EthicsEthicsThe branch of philosophy that The branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of right deals with the nature of right and wrong. A theory or set of and wrong. A theory or set of standards that standards that informinform moral moral practicepractice..

Realm of APPLIED ETHICSRealm of APPLIED ETHICS

Ethics is not what you do,Ethics is not what you do, but why you do it. but why you do it.

VS.

Touchstone for professionals to identify and resolve ethical dilemmas that they encounter in their work

Not a front-line of defense against wrong-doing.

Morals tied to what you actually Morals tied to what you actually do.do.

►Value judgements applied to conductValue judgements applied to conduct►Tied to a specific culture (while ethics Tied to a specific culture (while ethics

are more universal)are more universal) Ethically, people being together is good.Ethically, people being together is good.

►In some cultures this is implemented via In some cultures this is implemented via arranged marriages.arranged marriages.

Ethically, women should cover Ethically, women should cover themselves.themselves.

►In some cultures women must cover all but In some cultures women must cover all but the eyes.the eyes.

LEGAL ILLEGAL

EthicalConduct

UnethicalConduct

Sidebar: What is legal may Sidebar: What is legal may not be ethical/moral.not be ethical/moral.

Onsrud, H., 1995. Identifying unethical conduct in the use of GIS, Cartography and Geographic Information Systems, 22(1): 90-97.

Why a Code of Ethics?Why a Code of Ethics?

►Deters unethical behaviorDeters unethical behavior►Provides a support system for membersProvides a support system for members►Serves as an enabling documentServes as an enabling document►Acts as a basis for adjudicating disputesActs as a basis for adjudicating disputes►Enhances a profession’s reputationEnhances a profession’s reputation►Acts as a source for public evaluationActs as a source for public evaluation►Aids with professional socializationAids with professional socialization

Frankel, 1989

Based on Deontological Based on Deontological PrinciplesPrinciples

Treat others as ends,Treat others as ends,

never as meansnever as means

Obligations (duty) to:Obligations (duty) to:

►SocietySociety

►EmployersEmployers

►Colleagues and the ProfessionColleagues and the Profession

► Individuals at LargeIndividuals at Large

Always treat others with respect and never merely as means to an end

SocietySociety

►Do the best work possibleDo the best work possible Be objectiveBe objective Practice integrityPractice integrity Be aware of consequences, good and badBe aware of consequences, good and bad

►Contribute to the community to the Contribute to the community to the extent possible, feasible, and advisableextent possible, feasible, and advisable Make data & findings widely availableMake data & findings widely available

►Speak out on issuesSpeak out on issues Call attention to unprofessional workCall attention to unprofessional work Admit when a mistake has been made & fix itAdmit when a mistake has been made & fix it

EmployersEmployers

►Deliver quality workDeliver quality work Keep current in the fieldKeep current in the field Document work (including metadata)Document work (including metadata)

►Have a professional relationshipHave a professional relationship Hold information confidentialHold information confidential Avoid conflicts of interest (disclose if there)Avoid conflicts of interest (disclose if there) Accept decisions unless illegal or unethicalAccept decisions unless illegal or unethical

►Be honest in representationsBe honest in representations Complete work with requested resourcesComplete work with requested resources State limitations of data, software, methods, etc.State limitations of data, software, methods, etc.

Colleagues and the Colleagues and the ProfessionProfession

►Respect the work of othersRespect the work of others Accept and provide fair comments on workAccept and provide fair comments on work Honor property rights (esp. software, data)Honor property rights (esp. software, data) Respect existing working relationshipsRespect existing working relationships

►Contribute to the disciplineContribute to the discipline Publish results so others can learn of themPublish results so others can learn of them Volunteer time to professional activitiesVolunteer time to professional activities Support colleagues in professional development. Support colleagues in professional development.

Special attention to underrepresented groups Special attention to underrepresented groups whose diverse backgrounds will add to the whose diverse backgrounds will add to the strength of the professionstrength of the profession

IndividualsIndividuals

►Respect privacyRespect privacy Protect individual privacy, esp. about sensitive Protect individual privacy, esp. about sensitive

information.information. Be esp. careful with new informationBe esp. careful with new information

►Respect individualsRespect individuals Encourage individual autonomyEncourage individual autonomy Be truthful when disclosing individual dataBe truthful when disclosing individual data Treat all individuals equally, without regard to Treat all individuals equally, without regard to

race, gender, or other personal characteristic not race, gender, or other personal characteristic not related to the task at hand.related to the task at hand.

Next Steps for GISCI: Next Steps for GISCI: Add MeaningAdd Meaning

► Discussion guide – function, interpretation, Discussion guide – function, interpretation, etcetc

► Case studies (our NSF project/course)Case studies (our NSF project/course)► Lesson plans (our NSF project/course)Lesson plans (our NSF project/course)► Develop a course (from our NSF project)Develop a course (from our NSF project)► Web resources; e.g.Web resources; e.g.

Poynter Center - www.indiana.edu/~poynter/Poynter Center - www.indiana.edu/~poynter/ Center for the Study of Ethics in the ProfessionsCenter for the Study of Ethics in the Professions

www.iit.edu/departments/csep/www.iit.edu/departments/csep/► Conference sessionsConference sessions

Exercise to become fitExercise to become fit

CaseStudies

Example from Will Craig, U-MinnesotaPhotos from http://www.musclegaintips.com/

135 lbs 170 lbs.

Moral DilemmaMoral Dilemma► Classic ExampleClassic Example► Keep your promisesKeep your promises

Borrow a weaponBorrow a weapon Promise to returnPromise to return

► DilemmaDilemma Accessory to murderAccessory to murder Violate promiseViolate promise

► What would you do?What would you do?

Jungle Theater Playbill for Lobby Hero, 2003Jungle Theater Playbill for Lobby Hero, 2003Will Craig, U-Minnesota

Moral DilemmaMoral Dilemma

► Jim needs to chooseJim needs to choose Qualified friendQualified friend Another candidateAnother candidate

► Factors to considerFactors to consider FriendshipFriendship ImpartialityImpartiality

► What would you do?What would you do?

Jungle Theater Playbill for Lobby Hero, 2003Will Craig, U-Minnesota

Moral DilemmaMoral Dilemma

► Environmental Environmental impact of impact of developmentdevelopment

► Obligations toObligations to ClientClient CommunityCommunity

► What would you do?What would you do?

International Federation of Surveyors

Will Craig, U-Minnesota

Moral DilemmaMoral Dilemma

► GIS department has GIS department has quality systemquality system

► Promised it would be Promised it would be self-supportingself-supporting

► Users demand Users demand new/improved datanew/improved data

► Private sector Private sector duplicates dataduplicates data

► Citizen groups Citizen groups squeezed outsqueezed out

► What would you do?What would you do?

co.hennepin.mn.us Harlan OnsrudHarlan OnsrudWill Craig, U-Minnesota

Tough ChoicesTough Choices

► Is there a problem? Is there a problem? ► Maybe 2 “right” actions are in conflictMaybe 2 “right” actions are in conflict► Society is paramountSociety is paramount► What about other philosophies?What about other philosophies?► Talk to peopleTalk to people (perpetrator, colleagues, (perpetrator, colleagues,

friends)friends)► Is it worth taking radical action?Is it worth taking radical action?► ActAct► ReflectReflect

Kidder, 1995, How Good People Make Tough Choices

7 Step Process for Ethical 7 Step Process for Ethical Decision-MakingDecision-Making

► Step 1: State the problem.Step 1: State the problem. ““There’s something about this decision that There’s something about this decision that

makes me uncomfortable.” “Do I have a conflict of makes me uncomfortable.” “Do I have a conflict of interest?” interest?”

► Step 2: Check the facts.Step 2: Check the facts. Many problems disappear upon closer Many problems disappear upon closer

examination of a situation, while others change examination of a situation, while others change radically.radically.

► Step 3: Identify relevant factors.Step 3: Identify relevant factors. Persons involved, laws, professional code, other Persons involved, laws, professional code, other

practical constraintspractical constraints

Davis, 1999, Ethics and the University, London: Routledge

7 Step Process for Ethical Decision-7 Step Process for Ethical Decision-MakingMaking

► Step 4: Develop list of options.Step 4: Develop list of options. Be imaginative, try to avoid “dilemma,” not “yes” or “no” but Be imaginative, try to avoid “dilemma,” not “yes” or “no” but

whom to go to, what to saywhom to go to, what to say► Step 5: Test options.Step 5: Test options.

Harm test: Does this option do less harm than alternatives?Harm test: Does this option do less harm than alternatives? Publicity test: Would I want my choice of this option published in Publicity test: Would I want my choice of this option published in

the newspaper?the newspaper? Defensibility test: Could I defend my choice of option before a Defensibility test: Could I defend my choice of option before a

Congressional committee or committee of peers?Congressional committee or committee of peers? Reversibility test: Would I still think my choice of this option Reversibility test: Would I still think my choice of this option

good, if I were adversely affected by it?good, if I were adversely affected by it?► Step 6: Make a choiceStep 6: Make a choice based on step 1-5. based on step 1-5.► Step 7: Review steps 1-6Step 7: Review steps 1-6

Would could you do to make it less likely that you would have to Would could you do to make it less likely that you would have to make such a decision again?make such a decision again?

Davis, 1999, Ethics and the University, London: Routledge

Questions for youQuestions for you

►Does GISCI certification matter?Does GISCI certification matter?►What’s missing from the GISCI Code of What’s missing from the GISCI Code of

Ethics or Rules of Conduct?Ethics or Rules of Conduct?►Can you describe a GIS dilemma?Can you describe a GIS dilemma?►How would you know it’s a dilemma? How would you know it’s a dilemma?

How would you resolve it?How would you resolve it?►Should violators be sanctioned? How? Should violators be sanctioned? How?

Case Studies and InterviewsCase Studies and Interviews

►Examine/discuss existing case studiesExamine/discuss existing case studies►IRB consent formsIRB consent forms►Report and evaluation of interviewReport and evaluation of interview►Write original case studiesWrite original case studies

Some may result from interviewsSome may result from interviews

Power of Case StudiesPower of Case Studies(Learning Outcomes)(Learning Outcomes)

►Ethical sensitivityEthical sensitivity Ability to identify and discrimate among ethical Ability to identify and discrimate among ethical

issuesissues►Ethical knowledge:Ethical knowledge:

Familiarity with codes of ethics, rules of Familiarity with codes of ethics, rules of conductconduct

►Ethical creativity:Ethical creativity: Ability to see beyond the dillemaAbility to see beyond the dillema

► Judgment:Judgment: Increased likelihood that you’ll act Increased likelihood that you’ll act

appropriatelyappropriately

Case Study ExampleCase Study Example

►Mapping Muslim Neighborhoods in LAMapping Muslim Neighborhoods in LA