Case VII: Accuracy of Information
For our next case, we
consider responsibility for accuracy or integrity of information. Again, this
is an issue addressed by database management systems and other access control
mechanisms. However, as in previous cases, the issue here is access by an
authorized user, so the controls do not prevent access.
The Case
Emma is a researcher at an
institute where Paul is a statistical programmer. Emma wrote a grant request to
a cereal manufacturer to show the nutritional value of a new cereal, Raw Bits.
The manufacturer funded Emma's study. Emma is not a statistician. She has
brought all of her data to Paul to ask him to perform appropriate analyses and
to print reports for her to send to the manufacturer. Unfortunately, the data
Emma has collected seem to refute the claim that Raw Bits is nutritious, and,
in fact, they may indicate that Raw Bits is harmful.
Paul presents his analyses to
Emma but also indicates that some other correlations could be performed that
would cast Raw Bits in a more favorable light. Paul makes a facetious remark
about his being able to use statistics to support either side of any issue.
Ethical Concerns
Clearly, if Paul changed data
values in this study, he would be acting unethically. But is it any more
ethical for him to suggest analyzing correct data in a way that supports two or
more different conclusions? Is Paul obligated to present both the positive and
the negative analyses? Is Paul responsible for the use to which others put his
program results?
If Emma does not understand
statistical analysis, is she acting ethically in accepting Paul's positive
conclusions? His negative conclusions? Emma suspects that if she forwards
negative results to the manufacturer, they will just find another researcher to
do another study. She suspects that if she forwards both sets of results to the
manufacturer, they will publicize only the positive ones. What ethical
principles support her sending both sets of data? What principles support her
sending just the positive set? What other courses of action has she?
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