5. Ethics

Ethics is an integral part of both eProfessionalism and Professionalism. It important for both our professional and personal lives. Each work area will have a set of ethics that are similar but not necessarily identical.

Personal ethics

The basic principles and values that govern interactions among individuals. Sound personal ethics are typically those that positively impact the experience of others when used to govern an individual’s social or business-related behavior, and at the very least, such ethics should not have a negative impact on others.

Professional ethics

Professionally accepted standards of personal and business behavior, values and guiding principles. Codes of professional ethics are often established by professional organizations to help guide members in performing their job functions according to sound and consistent ethical principles.

 Business ethics

Business ethics is the study of appropriate business policies and practices regarding potentially controversial subjects including corporate governance, insider trading, bribery, discrimination, corporate social responsibility, and fiduciary responsibilities. The law often guides business ethics, but at other times business ethics provide a basic guideline that businesses can choose to follow to gain public approval. Business ethics are meant to ensure a certain level of trust between consumers and corporations, guaranteeing the public fair and equal treatment (Investopedia).

 Academic integrity

The Australian Government Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) commissioned scholars to share research, develop and deliver a suite of workshops and create a toolkit to assist integrity practitioners with promoting academic integrity.

In Australia there are codes of ethics produced not only by the government but also by professional accreditation boards such as the Medical Board of Australia, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and state Departments of Education. Many organisations have written codes of conduct which embody the principles of ethical practice.

 Find out about UQ’s Academic Integrity Modules (AIM). The modules are compulsory for all new to UQ students and will help you learn what academic integrity is, why it is so important, and how you can act with integrity in your studies. The modules are in two parts and it will take about an hour to complete each of them.

What does this mean in the online environment to you as an eProfessional?

• Understand what and how you post information online. The Confidentiality and Use of images sections explain more on this topic.
• Before sharing information check that it is accurate and reliable e.g. don’t share Facebook posts or tweets without checking them.