Research Paper Example on Engineering Code of Ethics

Code of ethics refers to guidelines adopted by organizations or specific fields to assist its members to understand the difference between the right and wrong practice. In professional practice, code of ethics/practice is also referred to as professional ethics. They are adopted by government institutions as well as non-government organizations to regulate a specific profession. It discusses the problematic situations, issues as well as challenging decisions. Members of a particular profession rely on the set code of practice to seek for clarity on what behavior is considered right or correct in specific circumstances. Members who fail to comply with a set code of practice in a particular profession may face expulsion from the professional organization.

The engineering field just as other main profession fields has a code of ethics referred to commonly as engineering ethics. This code contains moral principles that apply to the practice of engineering. It details on the obligations that engineers hold to the society as well as to the profession. Different engineering societies have introduced different ethics code statements. The two primary engineering societies that have added a code of ethics are; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) (Basart & Serra, 2013). The IEEE code of ethics was approved by the IEEE board of directors in August 1990 while the NSPE code was lastly revised in July 2007.

NSPE members are expected to uphold a high degree of integrity and honesty. The society is based on the belief that engineering field plays a vital and direct role in the quality of life of human beings (Mitcham, 2005). Therefore, the society maintains that the services offered by engineers should include attributes such as honesty, fairness, equity, and impartiality. The services should also ensure that the interest of the public, i.e., public safety, health, and welfare are assured. There are three main components of the NSPE code of ethics. These include; fundamental canons, rules of practice which detail the behavior and practice of engineers and lastly professional obligations (Mitcham, 2005).

Both IEEE and NSPE code of ethics has a wide range of similarities. Both codes hold the safety, health, and welfare of the public with high importance. They also have provided the basis for an honest practice and laid down rules to ensure that deceptive acts such as corruption and bribery are eliminated. Engineers, i.e., members from both societies are advised to perform services which fall in their areas of competence. Both of the organizations require that their members carry out their duties lawfully and responsibly. Members from both societies are also necessary to avoid injuries to their clients, property, reputation, malicious action as well as employment by force.

The differences between the two organizations are also evident. To begin with, the first persona is used to state IEEE code of ethics while NSPE is stated in the third person. IEEE differs with NSPE on the technology requirements. IEEE requires that the members have a clear understanding of technology including its appropriate application and potential implications whereas NSPE members are not persuaded to understand technology. Members are required to value criticism of their work in IEEE whereas not such obligation is provided in NSPE. IEEE codes are not divided as compared to NSPE code of ethics which is divided into three main components. Restrictions on how to treat everyone, i.e., despite their race, religion, colour, age, gender, etc. are provided in IEEE while NSPE fails to mention this.

References

Basart, J. M., & Serra, M. (2013). Engineering ethics beyond engineers ethics. Science and Engineering Ethics, 19(1), 179-187.

Mitcham, C. (2005). National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics. Encyclopedia of Science, Technology, and Ethics.