Title: Plagiarism and the Role of Ethics in Engineering
1Plagiarism and the Role of Ethics in Engineering
- Scott Coffel
- Director, Hanson Center for Technical
Communication - College of Engineering
- The University of Iowa
2 Why Do Engineers Need Ethics?
- Engineers are responsible for designing,
constructing, and maintaining the inventions of
civilization. - There are few (if any) mere technical decisions.
- Knowing how to calculate stress or design a
circuit is in part knowing what the profession
allows, forbids, or requires .¹¹"Online Ethics
Center Teaching Ethics Across the Engineering
Curriculum" Online Ethics Center for Engineering
6/19/2006 12926 PM National Academy of
Engineering Accessed Tuesday, November 13, 2007
ltwww.onlineethics.org/CMS/edu/instructessays/davis
.aspxgt
3Two Comments on Ethics
- The world has achieved brilliance without
wisdom, power without conscience. Ours is a world
of nuclear giants and ethical infants. Omar
Bradley, US General in WW2
- Ethics are a kind of highway code for traffic
among mankind. Sigmund Freud
4Bonus SlideMore Fascinating Ethical
Observations
- Rules are made to be broken.
- Nice guys finish last.
- Go along to get along.
- If the boss does it, that means its not illegal.
5We Think Were Ahead of the CurveBut Were Not
- Everything that can be invented has been
invented. - Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, US Patent
Office, 1899 - The bomb will never go off. I speak as an expert
in explosives. - Admiral William Leahy, Manhattan Project, 1943
- 640KB ought to be enough for anybody.
- Bill Gates, Chairman, Microsoft, 1981
6To Be Misquoted Can Ruin your Reputation
- Poor Duell this is what he actually said in
1902 - In my opinion, all previous advances in the
various lines of invention will appear totally
insignificant when compared with those which the
present century will witness. I almost wish that
I might live my life over again to see the
wonders which are at the threshold.
7Imagine if an Engineer Werethe President of the
United States
- Global Engineer (and President) Herbert Hoover,
1928 1932, donated all his paychecksto
charity. - Unlike doctors, engineers cannot bury their
mistakes in the grave. - Herbert Hoover (1954, from an article in
Engineers Week)
8What Professional Engineers Tell Us
- They find team writing and writing for multiple
audiences difficult. - At times, the teams personal dynamics are in
conflict with the teams responsibility to tell
the truth. - Some of the worst ethical problems result from
tensions between competing responsibilities.
9NSPE Code of EthicsEngineers, in the fulfillment
of their professional duties, shall
- Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of
the public. - Perform services only in areas of their
competence. - Issue public statements only in an objective and
truthful manner. - Act for each employer or client as faithful
agents or trustees. - Avoid deceptive acts.
- Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly,
ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the
honor, reputation, and usefulness of the
profession.
10Plagiarism A Fancy Word for Unethical and/or
Foolish Behavior
11Let's Be Blunt About Plagiarism
- The Latin term for kidnapper was plagiarius. As
aspiring engineers, you need to know that
stealing the ideas of others has consequences
beyond your own prospects and reputation - It also damages your institution and the honest
members of your profession by loosening the bonds
of trust that tie us all together.
12Credibility and Depth of ResearchStriking
the Right Balance
- Cite enough sources so that your audience trusts
your conclusions and recommendations. - Dont overload your reports with cited material
at the expense of your own insights.
13Ignorance of the Rules Is No Excuse When in
Doubt, Ask the Experts
- The Hanson Center Writing Resources page offers
valuable and easy-to-read guides for writing and
speaking ethically. - The Engineering Library offers a wide range of
citation and bibliography software to help you
cite sources with speed and accuracy.
14Ethics Requires Precision in Thought and Language
- Competent writing establishes your credibility
as an engineer. - Engineers achieve success as writers through a
process of drafting, feedback, and revision. - There are no shortcuts to good writing.
15Summary
- Ethical engineers navigate conflicts with an
inner compass. - They also use the needs of the community as a
guide. - They balance responsibility to themselves, their
profession, and the world.
16Thank You