{"id":241,"date":"2023-09-19T20:10:25","date_gmt":"2023-09-19T20:10:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/chapter\/professional-integrity\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T17:46:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T17:46:26","slug":"professional-integrity","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/chapter\/professional-integrity\/","title":{"raw":"Learn It 4.5.1 Ethical Use of Information","rendered":"Learn It 4.5.1 Ethical Use of Information"},"content":{"raw":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Understand the importance of professional integrity in business writing<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Learn how to properly document and cite sources<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<h2>Professional Integrity<\/h2>\r\n<p>Consider the earlier discussion on the [pb_glossary id=\"2222\"]CRAAP Test[\/pb_glossary] for evaluating sources. The test and its authors argue that for a source to be useful, it must meet the criteria laid out in the test's categories. The same concept applies to the material that you author and the materials you submit to others in your organization.<\/p>\r\n<p>For decision-makers and colleagues to trust the reports you write, you have to maintain your professional integrity. You have to approach your work with care and honesty.<\/p>\r\n<section class=\"textbox example\" aria-label=\"Example\">\r\n<p>Consider the following ethical violations, all of which highlight the role of the individual\u2019s behavior:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX, was convicted of a variety of fraud which led to the collapse of FTX, resulting in significant losses for investors and shaking confidence in the cryptocurrency market.[footnote]Mart\u00ednez, A. \u201cFTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Is Found Guilty of All Charges Including Fraud.\u201d <em>NPR<\/em>, November 3, 2023. https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2023\/11\/03\/1210390433\/ftx-founder-sam-bankman-fried-is-found-guilty-of-all-charges-including-fraud[\/footnote]<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, claimed her company had developed revolutionary blood-testing technology, which turned out to be false. Her actions led to her eventual conviction for fraud and an 11-year prison sentence.[footnote]Allyn, Bobby. \u201cElizabeth Holmes Has Started Her 11-Year Prison Sentence. Here\u2019s What to Know.\u201d <em>NPR<\/em>, May 30, 2023. https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2023\/05\/30\/1178728092\/elizabeth-holmes-prison-sentence-theranos-fraud-silicon-valley[\/footnote]<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas accepted luxurious gifts of travel for decades and allowed billionaire Harlan Crow to pay for his great-nephew's tuition and buy his mother a house. This called into question whether the lavish gifts had any effect on the justice's decisions.[footnote]\u201cPropublica Finds More Ties between Justice Thomas and Billionaire Harlan Crow.\u201d <em>NPR<\/em>, May 4, 2023. https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2023\/05\/04\/1173924936\/propublica-finds-more-ties-between-justice-thomas-and-billionaire-harlan-crow[\/footnote]<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<p>In each of the above cases, individuals, or groups of individuals, knowingly violated reasonable ethical standards and norms. These standards are either codified in law or what we could consider a common-sense standard.<\/p>\r\n<p>A common sense standard is one about which we could quickly ask ourselves: \u201cWould anyone question the way I\u2019m doing this work or activity?\u201d If the answer is yes, your behavior needs to adjust.<\/p>\r\n<p>The University of St. Andrews describes Professional Integrity and details the following concepts as central to the idea of professional integrity.[footnote]\"Professional Integrity.\" <em>University of St. Andrews<\/em>. Web. 18 June 2018. https:\/\/www.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research\/integrity-ethics[\/footnote]<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The researcher (or business report writer), operates at the highest levels of ethical responsibility. We should take this to mean that you will do everything you can to build reports and use information in ways that no one would ever question your conduct. Proper citation and use of others\u2019 work, care to anonymize sources of sensitive information, especially anyone vulnerable, and safeguarding of data to ensure it is not tampered with, are all relevant.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Operate and conduct yourself within your skillset. If someone asks you to do something for which you are not qualified, consider ways to turn down the project, rescope the project, or get help with the areas or pieces that are outside your skillset.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\">[ohm2_question height=\"500\"]14730[\/ohm2_question]<\/section>","rendered":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\n<ul>\n<li>Understand the importance of professional integrity in business writing<\/li>\n<li>Learn how to properly document and cite sources<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<h2>Professional Integrity<\/h2>\n<p>Consider the earlier discussion on the <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_241_2222\">CRAAP Test<\/a> for evaluating sources. The test and its authors argue that for a source to be useful, it must meet the criteria laid out in the test&#8217;s categories. The same concept applies to the material that you author and the materials you submit to others in your organization.<\/p>\n<p>For decision-makers and colleagues to trust the reports you write, you have to maintain your professional integrity. You have to approach your work with care and honesty.<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox example\" aria-label=\"Example\">\n<p>Consider the following ethical violations, all of which highlight the role of the individual\u2019s behavior:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX, was convicted of a variety of fraud which led to the collapse of FTX, resulting in significant losses for investors and shaking confidence in the cryptocurrency market.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Mart\u00ednez, A. \u201cFTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Is Found Guilty of All Charges Including Fraud.\u201d NPR, November 3, 2023. https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2023\/11\/03\/1210390433\/ftx-founder-sam-bankman-fried-is-found-guilty-of-all-charges-including-fraud\" id=\"return-footnote-241-1\" href=\"#footnote-241-1\" aria-label=\"Footnote 1\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, claimed her company had developed revolutionary blood-testing technology, which turned out to be false. Her actions led to her eventual conviction for fraud and an 11-year prison sentence.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Allyn, Bobby. \u201cElizabeth Holmes Has Started Her 11-Year Prison Sentence. Here\u2019s What to Know.\u201d NPR, May 30, 2023. https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2023\/05\/30\/1178728092\/elizabeth-holmes-prison-sentence-theranos-fraud-silicon-valley\" id=\"return-footnote-241-2\" href=\"#footnote-241-2\" aria-label=\"Footnote 2\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas accepted luxurious gifts of travel for decades and allowed billionaire Harlan Crow to pay for his great-nephew&#8217;s tuition and buy his mother a house. This called into question whether the lavish gifts had any effect on the justice&#8217;s decisions.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"\u201cPropublica Finds More Ties between Justice Thomas and Billionaire Harlan Crow.\u201d NPR, May 4, 2023. https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2023\/05\/04\/1173924936\/propublica-finds-more-ties-between-justice-thomas-and-billionaire-harlan-crow\" id=\"return-footnote-241-3\" href=\"#footnote-241-3\" aria-label=\"Footnote 3\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<p>In each of the above cases, individuals, or groups of individuals, knowingly violated reasonable ethical standards and norms. These standards are either codified in law or what we could consider a common-sense standard.<\/p>\n<p>A common sense standard is one about which we could quickly ask ourselves: \u201cWould anyone question the way I\u2019m doing this work or activity?\u201d If the answer is yes, your behavior needs to adjust.<\/p>\n<p>The University of St. Andrews describes Professional Integrity and details the following concepts as central to the idea of professional integrity.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"&quot;Professional Integrity.&quot; University of St. Andrews. Web. 18 June 2018. https:\/\/www.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research\/integrity-ethics\" id=\"return-footnote-241-4\" href=\"#footnote-241-4\" aria-label=\"Footnote 4\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[4]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The researcher (or business report writer), operates at the highest levels of ethical responsibility. We should take this to mean that you will do everything you can to build reports and use information in ways that no one would ever question your conduct. Proper citation and use of others\u2019 work, care to anonymize sources of sensitive information, especially anyone vulnerable, and safeguarding of data to ensure it is not tampered with, are all relevant.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Operate and conduct yourself within your skillset. If someone asks you to do something for which you are not qualified, consider ways to turn down the project, rescope the project, or get help with the areas or pieces that are outside your skillset.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"ohm14730\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/ohm.one.lumenlearning.com\/multiembedq.php?id=14730&theme=lumen&iframe_resize_id=ohm14730&source=tnh&show_question_numbers\" width=\"100%\" height=\"500\"><\/iframe><\/section>\n<hr class=\"before-footnotes clear\" \/><div class=\"footnotes\"><ol><li id=\"footnote-241-1\">Mart\u00ednez, A. \u201cFTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Is Found Guilty of All Charges Including Fraud.\u201d <em>NPR<\/em>, November 3, 2023. https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2023\/11\/03\/1210390433\/ftx-founder-sam-bankman-fried-is-found-guilty-of-all-charges-including-fraud <a href=\"#return-footnote-241-1\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 1\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-241-2\">Allyn, Bobby. \u201cElizabeth Holmes Has Started Her 11-Year Prison Sentence. Here\u2019s What to Know.\u201d <em>NPR<\/em>, May 30, 2023. https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2023\/05\/30\/1178728092\/elizabeth-holmes-prison-sentence-theranos-fraud-silicon-valley <a href=\"#return-footnote-241-2\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 2\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-241-3\">\u201cPropublica Finds More Ties between Justice Thomas and Billionaire Harlan Crow.\u201d <em>NPR<\/em>, May 4, 2023. https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2023\/05\/04\/1173924936\/propublica-finds-more-ties-between-justice-thomas-and-billionaire-harlan-crow <a href=\"#return-footnote-241-3\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 3\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-241-4\">\"Professional Integrity.\" <em>University of St. Andrews<\/em>. Web. 18 June 2018. https:\/\/www.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research\/integrity-ethics <a href=\"#return-footnote-241-4\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 4\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div><div class=\"glossary\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\" id=\"definition\">definition<\/span><template id=\"term_241_2222\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_241_2222\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>The CRAAP Test is a checklist stands for Currency (how up-to-date the information is), Relevance (how well it meets your needs), Authority (who is responsible for the information and their credentials), Accuracy (the truthfulness and correctness of the content), and Purpose (why the information exists). This test helps determine if a source is trustworthy and suitable for your research or project.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><\/div>","protected":false},"author":9,"menu_order":24,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Professional Integrity\",\"author\":\"Freedom Learning Group\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"part":191,"module-header":"learn_it","content_attributions":[{"type":"original","description":"Professional Integrity","author":"Freedom Learning Group","organization":"Lumen Learning","url":"","project":"","license":"cc-by","license_terms":""}],"internal_book_links":[],"video_content":null,"cc_video_embed_content":{"cc_scripts":"","media_targets":[]},"try_it_collection":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/241"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5105,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/241\/revisions\/5105"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/191"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/241\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=241"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=241"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}