Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Developing a code of ethics for academics

Commentary on ‘ethics for all: Differences across scientific society codes’ (Bullock and Panicker)

  • Published:
Science and Engineering Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article discusses the possibilities and pitfalls of constructing a code of ethics for university professors. Professional, educational, legal, and policy questions regarding the goals, format, and content of an academic ethics code are raised and a series of aspirational principles and enforceable standards that might be included in such a document are presented for discussion and debate.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bullock, M., & Panicker, S. (2003) Ethics for all: Differences across scientific society codes, Science and Engineering Ethics 9: 159–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Bloom, A. (1987) The closing of the American mind. Simon & Schuster, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cahn, S.M. (1986) Saints and scamps: Ethics in academia, Rowman & Littlefield, Totowa, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Sykes, C.J. (1988) Profscam: Professors and the demise of higher education, Regnery Gateway, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Hogan, P.M. & Kimmel, A.J. (1992) Ethical teaching of psychology: One department’s attempts at self regulation, Teaching of Psychology 19: 205–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. McGee, E. (2000) Developing an academic code, Paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics, Washington, DC, February 24–27.

  7. Schur, G.M. (1982) Toward a code of ethics for academics, Journal of Higher Education 53: 319–334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Dill, D. (1982) The structure of the academic profession: Toward a definition of ethical issues, Journal of Higher Education 53: 255–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Light, D. (1974) Introduction: The structure of the academic profession, Sociology of Education 47: 2–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Holtzman, W.H. (1979) The IUPS project on professional ethics and conduct, International Journal of Psychology 14: 107–109.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Callahan, D. (1982) Should there be an academic code of ethics? Journal of Higher Education 53: 335–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Frankel, M.S. (1996) Developing ethical standards for responsible research: Why? Form? Functions? Process? Outcomes? Journal of Dental Research 75: 832–835.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Seitz, J. & O’Neill, P. (1996) Ethical decision-making and the Code of Ethics of the Canadian Psychological Association. Canadian Psychology 37: 23–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Sinclair, C., Poizner, S., Gilmour-Barrett, K. & Randall, D. (1987) The development of a code of ethics for Canadian psychologists. Canadian Psychology 28: 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Fisher, C.B. & Younggren, J. (1997) The value and utility of the APA Ethics Code, Professional Psychology: Research & Practice, 28 (6): 582–592.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. American Psychological Association (2002) Ethical principles of psychologists. American Psychologist 57: 1060–1073.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Fisher, C.B. (2003). Decoding the ethics code: A practical guide for psychologists, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Bersoff, D. (1994) Explicit ambiguity: The 1992 Ethics Code as an oxymoron. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 25: 382–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Canter, M.B., Bennett, B.E., Jones, S.E. & Nagy, T. (1994) Ethics for psychologists: A commentary on the APA ethics code. Washington, DC. Fisher, Decoding the Ethics Code.

  20. Fisher & Younggren, Value and utility of code. American Psychological Association. (1992), Fisher, Decoding the Ethics Code.

  21. American Association of University Professors (1987) Statement on professional ethics, Academe 73: 49.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Murray, H., Gillese, E., Lennon, M., Mercer, P. & Robinson, M. (1996) Ethical principles for college and university teaching: Canadian professors define their professional responsibilities as teachers. AAHE Bulletin, December, 3–6.

  23. Gorovitz, S. (1998) Ethical Issues in Graduate Education. Science and Engineering Ethics 4: 235–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Fisher, C.B. & Koocher, G. (1990) To be or not to be? Accreditation and credentialing in applied developmental psychology. Journal Applied Developmental Psychology 11: 381–394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Friedrich, J. & Douglass, D. (1998) Ethics and persuasive enterprise of teaching psychology. American Psychologist 53: 549–562.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Birch, M., Elliott, D. & Trankel, M.A. (1999) Black and white and shades of gray: A portrait of the ethical professor. Ethics & Behavior 9: 243–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Keith-Spiegel, P. (1994). Teaching psychologists and the new APA ethics code: Do we fit in? Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 25: 362–368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Kitchener, K.S. (1992) Psychologist as teacher and mentor: Affirming ethical values throughout the curriculum. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 23: 190–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Hobbes, N. (1948) The development of a code of ethical standards for psychology. American Psychologist 3: 80–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Gergen, K.J. (1973) The codification of research ethics: Views of a Doubting Thomas. American Psychologist 28: 907–912.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Ethics Education, Department of Psychology, Fordham University, 441 East Fordham Road, 10458, Bronx, NY, USA

    Celia B. Fisher Ph.D. (Director)

Authors
  1. Celia B. Fisher Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Celia B. Fisher Ph.D..

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fisher, C.B. Developing a code of ethics for academics. SCI ENG ETHICS 9, 171–179 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-003-0004-2

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-003-0004-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation