Library: IND501: Ethical Leadership: Ethical Codes of Conduct

Example 1: Searching for a code of ethics in your discipline

There are many concentrations within the broader disciplines covered in this course (business, criminal justice, cybersecurity, health sciences, and public administration). You'll first want to think about what specific area of your discipline you are interested in researching. Let's take business as an example. There are many smaller disciplines within the broader discipline of business, and many different types of businesses. Therefore, a business student needs to first narrow down which area of business they are interested in (accounting, human resources, financial planning, marketing, etc.).

Most disciplines have a professional organization, i.e. the governing body that sets standards for appropriate professional behavior. These standards are often referred to as the the code of ethics or code of conduct for the discipline. Professionals who join the organization must agree to abide by the code of ethics for their field. A professional organization's website is generally the best place to look for their codes of ethics.

Therefore, using Google (or your preferred search engine) to search for *specific discipline* and code of ethics is a good first step. Here are a couple business examples. Notice that I've chosen specific disciplines within business (HR and marketing). Try this same strategy for your own field.

A Google search for human resources code of ethics leads me to the
Society for Human Resource Management's Code of Ethics
A Google search for marketing code of ethics leads me to the
American Marketing Association's Codes of Conduct/AMA Statement of Ethics

Example 2: Finding ethical codes of conduct on the websites of professional associations in your discipline

Frequently, the best place to look for professional documents such as a professional code of ethics is on the websites of large professional associations in your field. For instance, NAHQ, National Association for Healthcare Quality, is an important profession organization for healthcare professionals. The NAHQ website is listed on the Health Care tab in the Selection of Professional Organizations by Discipline box, below.

Click the tab for your discipline to explore the websites of professional associations in your field. You can browse the site to see if it includes a code of ethics or you can use Google (or your preferred search engine) to search for *name of the association* and code of ethics. Here are a few examples:

A Google search for American Correctional Association code of ethics leads me to the
ACA Code Of Ethics
A Google search for Association for Computing Machinery code of ethics leads me to the
ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
A Google search for National Association for Healthcare Quality code of ethics leads me to the
NAHQ Code of Ethics for Healthcare Quality Professionals and Code of Conduct
A Google search for American Society for Public Administration code of ethics leads me to the
American Society for Public Administration's Code of Ethics

Selection of Professional Organizations by Discipline

American Marketing Association (AMA) "The American Marketing Association strives to be the most relevant force and voice shaping marketing around the world, an essential community for marketers."
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board) The CFP Board "is a non-profit organization that serves the public by fostering professional standards in personal financial planning."
International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) "We are the global voice for the accountancy profession. We serve the public interest through advocacy, development, and support for our member organizations and the more than 3 million accountants who are crucial to our global economy."
National Employment Law Institute (NELI) NELI is a non-profit continuing education organization that conducts employment law seminars, teleconferences and webinars as a means of providing continuing professional education (CPE/CEU/PDC) and HR recertification (through HRCI and SHRM) for human resource professionals.
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) The world’s largest human resource professional society.

American Correctional Association (ACA) An interdisciplinary organization of corrections professionals representing all aspects of criminal justice and corrections. Look here for news, conferences, and membership information.
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) "The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), as the world’s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders, is committed to advancing the safety of communities worldwide."
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) "With more than 60,000 employees, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, CBP, is one of the world's largest law enforcement organizations and is charged with keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. while facilitating lawful international travel and trade."

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) ACM brings together computing educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources, and address the field's challenges.
Information Systems Audit & Control Association (ISACA) ISACA offers access to resources and a community of experts committed to lifetime learning and career progression to help information technology professionals stay up to date.
Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) ISSA is a not-for-profit providing educational forums, publications, and peer interaction opportunities that enhance the knowledge, skill, and professional growth of its members.
InfraGard InfraGard is a partnership between the FBI and members of the private sector. It provides a vehicle for seamless public-private and government collaboration to expedite the exchange of information and promote mutual learning opportunities relevant to the protection of critical infrastructure.
(ISC)2 (ISC)2 is a leading cybersecurity and IT security professional organization.
National Cybersecurity Student Association (NCSA) NCSA encourages the educational and professional development of cybersecurity students through activities, networking, and collaboration.

American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) The American Dental Hygienists’ Association "is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of the more than 226,000 registered dental hygienists (RDHs) across the country. We believe dental hygienists should be valued and integrated into the broader health care delivery system in order to improve the public’s oral and overall health."
American Health Information Management Association (AHiMA) "AHIMA is the premier association of health information management (HIM) professionals worldwide. Serving 52 affiliated component state associations and more than 103,000 health information professionals, it is recognized as the leading source of "HIM knowledge," a respected authority for rigorous professional education and training."
American Medical Association (AMA) The AMA is the major professional association providing innovation, advocacy and education "to enable a better health care system for patients, physicians and the country."
American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) "AMIA aims to lead the way in transforming health care through trusted science, education, and the practice of informatics. AMIA connects a broad community of professionals and students interested in informatics. AMIA is the bridge for knowledge and collaboration across a continuum, from basic and applied research to the consumer and public health arenas."
American Nurses Association (ANA) The American Nurses Association "is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation's 4 million registered nurses. ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all."
American Public Health Association (APHA) "APHA champions the health of all people and all communities. We strengthen the public health profession. We speak out for public health issues and policies backed by science. We are the only organization that influences federal policy, has a nearly 150-year perspective and brings together members from all fields of public health."
American Psychological Association (APA) “A scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States. With more than 154,000 members, APA is the largest association of psychologists worldwide.” Website includes links to psychology topics, publications, news, careers and more. Offers student affiliate memberships.
American Telemedicine Association (ATA) "ATA is a non-profit association based in Washington DC with a membership network of more than 10,000 industry leaders and healthcare professionals."
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) "HIMSS is a global, cause-based, not-for-profit organization focused on better health through information and technology. HIMSS leads efforts to optimize health engagements and care outcomes using information technology."
Health Level Seven International (HL7) "Founded in 1987, Health Level Seven International (HL7) is a not-for-profit, ANSI-accredited standards developing organization dedicated to providing a comprehensive framework and related standards for the exchange, integration, sharing, and retrieval of electronic health information that supports clinical practice and the management, delivery and evaluation of health services."
International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) "The mission of the International Medical Informatics Association is to bring people together from around the world to advance biomedical and health informatics science, education, and practice through mutual learning and exchange of knowledge, skills and ideas."
National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) The major organization concerned with patient safety, quality and regulations of care delivery, performance improvement, health data analytics and much more.
National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC)
Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) "A nonprofit, independent professional association that represents a diverse membership of nearly 4,000 health education professionals and students in the United States and 25 international countries."

American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) The American Society for Public Administration is the largest and most prominent professional association for public administration. It is dedicated to advancing the art, science, teaching and practice of public and non-profit administration.
National Council of Nonprofits "The National Council of Nonprofits (Council of Nonprofits) is a trusted resource and proven advocate for America’s charitable nonprofits. Connecting the policy dots across all levels and branches of governments, the Council of Nonprofits keeps nonprofits informed and empowered to create a positive public policy environment that best supports nonprofits in advancing their missions."