GISP - Geographic Information Systems Professional Professional and Ethical Practices Questions and Answers

Question 1

A GIS professional discovers a significant error in a public-facing web map they created and maintain.
The error in the data could lead to incorrect regulatory decisions by local government agencies that use the map.
According to the GISCI Code of Ethics, what is the most appropriate initial action?

Accepted Answer

Immediately notify their supervisor, document the error, and formulate a plan to correct the data and inform known users of the issue.

Answer

Quietly correct the error in the next scheduled update to avoid causing unnecessary alarm.

Answer

Delete the web map from the server to prevent anyone from using the erroneous data.

Answer

Post an anonymous comment on a community forum pointing out the flaw.

Question 2

A GIS analyst for a public health agency is asked to create a map showing the locations of recent cases of a highly infectious disease for a press release. To protect patient privacy while still conveying the spatial trend of the outbreak, which of the following is the most ethical approach?

Accepted Answer

Aggregate the case data into larger enumeration units, such as census tracts or ZIP codes, before mapping.

Answer

Publish a map with points showing the exact residential address of each confirmed case.

Answer

Refuse to create the map, stating that any visualization of the data is a violation of privacy.

Answer

Email the point data directly to the journalist who requested it so they can create their own map.

Question 3

Which of the following actions best demonstrates a GIS professional's obligation to honor the intellectual property rights of others?

Accepted Answer

Carefully reading the license agreement for a third-party dataset and including proper attribution in any maps or products derived from it.

Answer

Assuming that data found on a government website is in the public domain and has no usage restrictions.

Answer

Using a dataset with a 'non-commercial use' license as a key component in a product being sold to a client.

Answer

Removing the source information from a basemap layer to create a cleaner cartographic product.

Question 4

A GIS manager asks a junior analyst to perform a complex geostatistical analysis for a high-stakes environmental impact assessment. The analyst has only a theoretical understanding of the required method and has never applied it before. What is the analyst's most professionally responsible course of action?

Accepted Answer

Inform the manager of their limited experience with the specific method and request training or collaboration with a more senior expert.

Answer

Use a simpler analytical technique they are comfortable with, even if it is less appropriate for the task.

Answer

Attempt the complex analysis without guidance, hoping to learn on the job and meet the manager's expectations.

Answer

Politely decline the task, stating that it is outside their job description.

Question 5

According to the GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) Code of Ethics, which of the following is a fundamental obligation a GIS professional has to the profession and their colleagues?

Accepted Answer

To accurately represent their own qualifications, skills, and experience.

Answer

To guarantee a positive return on investment for all GIS projects.

Answer

To use only the most advanced and expensive software available.

Answer

To share all data they create with the public immediately, regardless of its sensitivity.

Question 6

When developing a regional Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) intended to serve multiple government agencies and the public, what is most crucial for ensuring that data from different sources can be seamlessly integrated and used?

Accepted Answer

Adherence to common, consensus-based standards for metadata, data services, and formats (e.g., OGC, ISO).

Answer

Requiring all participants to use the same GIS software vendor.

Answer

Developing a single, highly detailed cartographic standard for all map products.

Answer

Storing all data in a centralized cloud-based server.