Ethical and Professional Conduct
Whether you are a graduate student, an employee, or self-employed, ethical and professional norms govern your decision making. [1] At an organizational level, ethical behaviour improves the working environment and reassures all stakeholders of proper management of all operations. [2]
Ethics and moral principles go beyond the professional setting to influence the three pillars of sustainability: society, economy, and environment.[3] Conforming to ethical practices is key in shaping our social behaviours, economic decisions, and environmental awareness, thus affecting the sustainable development of Canadian and global communities. [4][5]
Associations and organizations often include penalties and/or sanctions in the case of violation. [6] Read the code of conduct at your organization and discuss with your new colleagues or supervisor when unsure about how to proceed in a given situation. At McGill, you can consult the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures.
Quick Guide
- Know and comply with codes, rules, policies, and legal guidelines relevant to you/your position (e.g. intellectual property rules: copyrights and patents) [7]
- Recognize and respect the role and contributions of others (e.g. authorship, data ownership) [8]
- Implement sustainability practices: ensure environmental integrity, social equity, and economic efficiency through innovative approaches [9]
- Sets expectations of and ensure adherence to ethical codes [10]
- Be proactive and socially responsible and advise colleagues and take initiatives in shaping new or existing policies [11]
- Exercise self-criticism, make situational ethical judgements, and challenge unethical behaviours of others [12]
Resources to help you grow this skill:
Webinars and Workshops
- A series of research ethics webinars and recommended readings concerning ethical aspect of the research process.
- Online academic integrity course with eight learning modules
Websites
- Includes blogs by experts, glossary terms, list of events and others.
- This website offers articles, approaches to ethical decision making, and good practical guidelines.
- Ethics and Compliance: Guidelines for researchers working with animals and human participants.
- GPS Guided Research Practice.
- Guidelines on the conduct of research activities at McGill University.
- Sustainability strategy, goals and activities at McGill.
- Provides resources to help students avoid dishonest work.
Groups & Associations
- Canadian Association of Research Ethics Board: A grassroots organization with professionals sharing best practices on research ethics.
- Humanitarian Health Ethics Research Group: A research group seeks to publish innovative and thought-provoking reflections on issues related to humanitarian healthcare ethics.
- Panel on Research Ethics: A Tri-Council Interagency Advisory Panel aims to collaborate and promote the ethical conduct of research involving human participants.
Books, Articles & Reports
- Swanson, D., (2004). The buck stops here: why universities must reclaim business ethics education. http://mcgill.worldcat.org/oclc/439012320
- Danis, M. (2012). Clinical research consultation: A casebook. Oxford: Oxford University Press. http://mcgill.worldcat.org/oclc/794002200
- In Woodfield, K. (2018). The ethics of online research. http://mcgill.worldcat.org/oclc/1020570628
- Macfarlane, B. (2009). Researching with integrity: The ethics of academic enquiry. New York:
- Routledge. http://mcgill.worldcat.org/oclc/166360218
- Oliver, P. (2010). The Student's Guide to Research Ethics. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill International (UK)
- Ltd. http://mcgill.worldcat.org/oclc/654029515
- Russell, C., Hogan, L., & Junker-Kenny, M. (2013). Ethics for graduate researchers: A cross-disciplinary approach. Amsterdam: Elsevier. http://mcgill.worldcat.org/oclc/811842104
- Stewart, C. N. (2011). Research ethics for scientists: A companion for students. Chicester: John Wiley & Sons. http://mcgill.worldcat.org/oclc/79432750
References
[1] Making “sense” of ethical design making. Zeni, T.A. (2016)
[2] Behavioural Ethics in Organizations: A Review. Trevino, L.K. et al. (2006).
[3] Sustainability: Ethical Foundations. Thompson, P.B. (2012).
[4] Federal Sustainable Development Strategy for Canada. Environment and Climate Change Canada (2017).
[5] Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UN General Assembly (2015).
[6] Un(Ethical) Behavior in Organizations. Trevino, L.K. et al. (2014).
[7], [8] Targeted Competencies in Graduate Programs. ADESAQ. (2015).
[9] About Sustainable Development. Quebec Government. (2018).
[10], [11] [12] Vitae Researcher Development Framework. Vitae. (2011).