Ethics and business statistics integration

¶ … ethics in the sciences has become a focus of debate during the last century. Many scientists and statisticians have deviated from the more formal view of science as only being concerned with objective results and measurement. There is a growing consensus that science and the scientist, or statistician, has an ethical and moral responsibility to the society in which they function and to humanity as a whole. This paper will explore these views with regard to ethics and statistics. This will include a personal assessment of these views. This paper will also emphasize the personal view that ethics are an important and integral part of the discipline of statistics.

Ethics and Statistics

The issue of ethics in statistics is one that has become extremely relevant in our contemporary environment. The reason for this is clearly stated in an article by Ostapski and Superville entitled Reflection Before Action: the Statistical Consultant Confronts Ethical Issues. In this article the authors state that; "Statisticians have become integral members of research and consulting teams that conduct projects for industry and government. They face a number of ethical issues that are somewhat unique to their profession" (Ostapski and Superville). This view therefore implies that the discipline of statistics is not exempt from ethical considerations. This is the view that I also adopt in this paper, both from a personal and professional standpoint

However, the more orthodox view of the role of statistics and science in general tend to oppose this view. For example, Geertsema in a Christian View of the Foundations of Statistics refers to the more traditional stance taken by science with regard to ethics;

… because of their so-called exactness, they are often thought to be neutral from a philosophical or religious point-of-view. This tendency is strengthened by a traditional view of science as a whole, known as the standard view of science" (Geertsema, 1987).

This refers to the view that scientific objectivity and exactness takes precedence over ethical and other issues. From this perspective all scientific and mathematical disciplines are in essence exempt from social responsibility or ethical considerations. However, Geertsema and others argue against this stance and put forward the view that science and statistics in particular does have an ethical responsibility towards the society and humanity in general and therefore cannot be considered to be ethically neutral, as the statistician also has to take various ethical decisions in the course of his or her work. As Geertsema states, "The result is that the human aspect of science comes to the fore and that it becomes clear that science cannot be seen in isolation-it must be seen in context" (Geertsema, 1987).

Personal Reflections

I would tend to agree with the above assessment by Geertsema in that the actual practice of statistics should always be seen in context and in relation to the actual implications of the statistical work. To view the practice of statistics in isolation or out of context would mean that one ignores or turns a blind eye to the social and human implications of the work. In my view the scientist has be socially responsible in his work. This is a dimension that is just as important as technical expertise and accuracy. This attitude can also be linked to the ideas of professionalism, where the professional does not ignore certain implications and decisions that result from his or her work. This is the reason why there is a code of ethics in the sciences and in the field of statistics. As Ostapski and Superville emphasize, "Professionalism also may be defined appropriately by an association's ability to self-regulate through an established code of ethics"(Ostapski and Superville).

Furthermore, one must also take into account that the modern statistician usually functions as part of a team, which is often composed of experts from a number of disciplines. As such, the statistician has a duty not only to make sense of the data but also to . "…develop the means to insure the proper interpretation of such information by all relevant parties…"(Ostapski and Superville).

This refers to the ethical dimension of professionalism and to the duty and responsibility of the statistician that extends beyond the technical aspect of his work. Seltzer (2005) makes an important point in this regard. He states that the ethical dimension of statistics is extremely important. We only have to refer to history to encounter examples o situations where scientists did not accept the ethical dimension of their work. Seltzer refers to extreme cases such as the part that science has played in genocide and in the perpetration of atrocities by the Nazis during the Second World War. More commonly, Welter also notes that, "…unaddressed ethical issues simply threaten the credibility of a statistical agency, undermining the trust that data providers, the public, and policy makers place in the agency" (Seltzer, 2005).

Therefore the onus on the statistician is to act and think in a way that includes ethical professionalism. I am of the opinion that if a statistician ignores the ethical dimension of his or her work this leads to a reduction of the integrity of the professions. One cannot ignore the context of the work and the fact that statisticians asre often faced with difficult ethical decisions in the course of their work. I would certainly agree with Ostapski and Superville who suggest that the statistician should ask the following questions:

(1) Is there a duty to act in a certain way that is recognized and also followed by others?

(2) What are the consequences of the proposed action and, most of the time, will it benefit the most people?

(3) Would my decision toward someone else, if it were made concerning me, also be acceptable to me?

(Ostapski and Superville).

I feel that these questions should be an integral part of the statistician's discipline. Furthermore, the approach suggested by Ostapski and Superville is the one that suits my personal outlook. I do not see statistical work as being ethically neutral. In fact, taking into account the Christian perspective, I believe that everything we do and say, especially in our professional lives, has an ethical dimension. In other words, I do not believe that the statistician can "hide" behind facts and figures and have no responsibly for his or her decisions.