The Ecological Society of America Code of Ethics (1990)
Preamble
This Code provides guiding principles of conduct for all members of the Ecological Society of America. Ecologists are faced with the vital and often conflicting tasks of resolving the needs of society and the needs of naturally functioning and managed ecosystems. The solution of complex ecological problems will require the help of persons from all walks of life. If ecology is to progress, it must include the pure scientists seeking new information and the practitioners who apply that knowledge to solving practical problems. Of prime importance is the training of new ecologists, obtaining new information, applying the knowledge that we already have, and communicating with all segments of society. A Code of Ethics is essential to the continuation of an honorable and respected position for the Profession.
General: All Members of the Ecological Society of America
1. Will use their knowledge, skills, and training when appropriate to find ways to harmonize society's needs, demands, and actions with the maintenance and enhancement of natural and managed ecosystems.
2. Will offer professional advice only on those subjects in which they are informed and qualified through professional training and experience.
3. Will not represent themselves as spokespersons for the Society without Council authority.
4. Will avoid and discourage the dissemination of false, erroneous, biased, unwarranted, or exaggerated statements concerning ecology.
5. Will conduct their professional affairs in an ethical manner as prescribed in this Code, will endeavor to protect the ecological profession from misunderstanding and misrepresentation, and will cooperate with one another to assure the rapid interchange and dissemination of ecological knowledge.
6. In any communication, will not plagiarize; will give full and proper credit to, and will avoid misinterpretation of, the work and ideas of others.
7. Will report accurately, truthfully, fully, and clearly, to the limit of their abilities, the ecological and other information pertinent to a given project and will convey their findings objectively. Therefore, will not fabricate or falsify results or commit scientific fraud.
8. Will exercise utmost care in laboratory and field research to avoid or minimize adverse environmental effects resulting from their presence, activities, or equipment. They will sacrifice only those organisms needed to obtain data essential to their work.
9. Will comply with Federal requirements for protection of researchers, human subjects, or the public or for ensuring the welfare of laboratory animals, and will comply with relevant legal requirements governing research.
10. Within reasonable limits of time and finance, will volunteer their special knowledge, skill, and training to the public for the benefit of society and the environment.
11. Will not discriminate against others on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, race, color, national origin, age, economic status, cultural mores, physically handicaps, or organizational affiliation.
12. Will clearly differentiate facts, opinions, theories, hypotheses, and ideas; will provide ethical leadership in accord with this Code, and will not mislead students concerning their limitations, training or abilities.
13. Should, when they have substantial evidence of a breach of this Code by another member, bring such conduct to the attention of the offender and to the Council.
14. Will neither seek employment, grants, or gain nor attempt to injure the reputation or opportunities for employment of another ecologist or scientist in a related profession by false, biased, or undocumented claims or accusations, by any other malicious action, or by offers of gifts or favors.
15. Will not practice or condone sexual harassment, nor any form of sexual intimidation or exploitation.
Certified: All Certified Ecologists in ESA
1. Will present, upon request, evidence of their qualifications, including professional training, publications, and experience, to any rightful petitioner.
2. Will keep informed of advances in ecological knowledge and techniques, as well as in related aspects of science and society, and will integrate such knowledge and techniques into their professional activities including teaching.
3. Will inform a prospective or current employer or client of any professional or personal interests which may impair the objectivity of their work, and provide their clients with access to the provisions of this Code.
4. Will respect any request for confidentiality expressed by their employers or clients, provided that such confidentiality will not contribute to unnecessary or significant degradation of the environment and does not jeopardize the health, safety, or welfare of the public. Should a conflict develop between such confidentiality and the safety of life or property of the public, members of the Society shall notify their employers or clients of the conflict in writing, and will be guided by their conscience in taking further action.
5. Will not seek employment by unethical bidding, but shall expect the prospective employer or client to select Certified Ecologists on the basis of ability and experience. All salaries or fees and the extent and kinds of service to be rendered shall be described fully prior to employment.
6. Will not use the security or resources of salaried academic, institutional, or governmental positions to compete unethically or unfairly with consulting ecologists in private practice.
7. Will accept compensation for a particular service or report from one source only, except with the full knowledge and consent of all concerned parties.
8. Will utilize, or will recommend that an employer, client, or grantor utilize the best available experts whenever such action is essential to solving a problem.
9. Will not associate with, or allow the use of their names, reports, maps, or other technical materials by any enterprise known to be illegal, fraudulent, or of questionable character, or contrary to the welfare of the public or the environment.
10. May advertise their services in a dignified and factual manner, but must avoid exaggeration, self-praise, or undue conspicuousness.
Publication: Persons who review, edit, or publish papers
1. Will not claim authorship of a paper unless they have made a substantial contribution, such as:
a. conceived the ideas and the design of the experiments
b. participated in the active execution of the study
c. analyzed and interpreted the data
d. wrote the manuscript
2. Will not submit for publication any manuscript containing data they are not authorized to use. Where not otherwise specified by contract or explicit agreement, the principal investigator(s) of a research project should be assumed to retain the right to control authorization or use of the data.
3. Will not submit a manuscript, representing as new research results that have been published or submitted elsewhere.
4. Will not submit a manuscript for publication in a book or journal while it is under review for possible publication in another book or journal.
5a. When serving as an editor or reviewer of a manuscript, will treat that manuscript as confidential, recognizing that it is the intellectual property of the author(s).
5b. Will not use the ideas or results of others in manuscripts submitted for publication without full attribution of the source. If the ideas or data have not been published, will not use them without permission of the author.
6. Will not include in a manuscript any illustrations or tables from
another manuscript without permission of the owner of the copyright.
7. Will not serve as editor or reviewer of a manuscript if present or
past connections with the author or the author's institution may prevent
an objective evaluation of the work.
8. Will not purposefully delay publication of another person's manuscript to gain advantage over that person.
9. Will promptly report to the editor any errors in research results or interpretations they have discovered after a manuscript is submitted for publication or is published.
Committee on Professional Ethics: Purpose
The Committee will review as needed ethical issues of concern to members of ESA and will keep the members informed about these issues. It will propose to the Council modifications of the Code of Ethics as needed, and will serve as a liaison to the Professional Society Ethics Group of the AAAS. It will help the President and Council of ESA any time that someone informs them of ethical misconduct by a member of ESA.
