HP Professional Standards & Ethics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student paraphrases an author's argument extensively without citation, believing paraphrasing doesn't require attribution. This is an example of:
- Fair use
- Mosaic plagiarism (Correct answer)
- Proper summarization
- Original analysis
Correct answer: Mosaic plagiarism
Mosaic plagiarism occurs when paraphrased ideas are presented without credit, even though the exact words are changed.
Question 2: In professional settings, confidentiality obligations mean that an honors graduate should NOT:
- Use general skills learned during an internship
- Share proprietary client information with a future employer (Correct answer)
- Apply broadly applicable industry knowledge
- Network with former colleagues
Correct answer: Share proprietary client information with a future employer
Proprietary information obtained in one professional role cannot ethically be disclosed in another without authorization.
Question 3: Which foundational ethical theory judges the morality of an action solely by its consequences?
- Deontology
- Consequentialism (Correct answer)
- Virtue ethics
- Divine command theory
Correct answer: Consequentialism
Consequentialism, including utilitarianism, evaluates actions based on the outcomes they produce rather than the actions themselves.
Question 4: An honors program requires students to disclose outside employment that exceeds 20 hours per week. A student fails to report a new job. This violates which professional standard?
- Equity
- Transparency and disclosure requirements (Correct answer)
- Peer accountability
- Mentorship protocols
Correct answer: Transparency and disclosure requirements
Failing to report a required disclosure undermines transparency, a core professional standard in academic programs.
Question 5: When a researcher finds results that contradict their hypothesis, professional ethics requires them to:
- Repeat the study until the expected results appear
- Report the negative results accurately (Correct answer)
- Omit the findings from publication
- Adjust the hypothesis retroactively
Correct answer: Report the negative results accurately
Accurate reporting of negative results is essential to scientific integrity and prevents publication bias.
Question 6: A student is asked to peer-review a classmate's honors thesis but realizes they are close friends. The most ethical response is to:
- Complete the review and give the highest marks to avoid conflict
- Disclose the friendship and recuse themselves from the review (Correct answer)
- Review it critically but not mention the relationship
- Ask a third student to review it and sign off on their feedback
Correct answer: Disclose the friendship and recuse themselves from the review
Disclosing a personal relationship and stepping back protects the integrity of the peer-review process.
Question 7: Professional codes of ethics in higher education typically include all of the following EXCEPT:
- Respect for intellectual diversity
- Commitment to personal financial gain above institutional mission (Correct answer)
- Responsibility to the broader community
- Honesty in academic communication
Correct answer: Commitment to personal financial gain above institutional mission
Prioritizing personal financial gain over institutional mission directly conflicts with professional ethics in academia.
HP Professional Standards & Ethics 3
A student paraphrases an author's argument extensively without citation, believing paraphrasing doesn't require attribution.
This is an example of: