Ethics in Statistics

Ethics in Statistics

Ethical Issues in Business Statistics

Statistical knowledge has been under gradual growth since the beginning of 20th century. This growth has subsequently advanced into broad dimensions of data handling and analysis, resulting into a fully-fledged scientific discipline. Statistics is a science that serves within the framework of construction, and theoretical mathematical applications in order to analyze a set of numerical data hence obtaining credible knowledge (Kemptborne, 1979). Statisticians, thereby, are lissome individuals whose responsibility is to solve data related problems, usually the interdisciplinary and further into formerly uncharted areas. Their ability in creativity during the building of interdisciplinary bridges may be risky and undertaking, especially when the served parties or clients are not conversant with the statistical processes. As a result, the statisticians face the ethical obligations since they have to make sense, out raw data and develop a proper means of interpretation of such data in order to come up with information, which is relevant to the concerned parties.

For accountability and education continuity to ensure the integrity and advancement of their art, statisticians set their identifiable professional standards. To uphold their professional values, sense of accountability and responsibility (Kemptborne, 1979), certification may be recommended in order to distinguish well-trained statisticians from those who may own fewer abilities and low qualifications. Such professionalisms usually arrive, accompany with an individual's ability to self-regulate via a set of established ethical code. Kemptborne (1979) elicits that an ethical code of conduct that represents the mutual moral responsibility of a given profession, must present vital guidelines towards obtaining a solution to the statistical problems. Practically, the ethical and professional goals are to eradicate the misuse of data that may result into immediate harm to the parties represented by this data, especially the clients.

According to Kemptborne (1979), when confronted with ethical problems, a statistician should tackle the issues involved with a great deal of honesty. Moreover, one should confront the issues without any false hope on favorable outcomes or that a problem might simply resolve itself. As a basis for ethical inquiry, statisticians may ask themselves various ethical questions developed by philosophers: (i) Is there any duty to perform in a way that other people can recognize and follow? (ii) What are the repercussions of the action proposed, and will it benefit the majority? (iii) If my decisions towards someone else would be made to me, would I accept them? (iv) Would the final decision remain un-altered, if it were to be published at the front page of any renowned public journal?

A statistician's ultimate goal is to establish a process of dealing with ethical issues as soon as they arise. With regards to the "non-owner use of data," such as the implementation of the research project results, clients may ask the statistician to collect and analyze data from a given source, and thereafter, report on the final outcomes. Here, the statistician's ethical fate and honesty may be under a great deal temptation since the co-authorship, rights to the data, and data ownership may be questions that appear to have no definite answers. This is because there will be no specific person involved in the course of data processing; hence, answers to such questions are highly dependent upon particular factual circumstances. The other issue that a statistical consultant may encounter during their duty performance is "the search for significance." Here, the client may possess a pre-conceived perception of which outcomes from a precise study should accomplish. It is thereby ethical for a statistician to report all results, regardless of those that favor or go against the client's expectations, although they may not have control over the results' usage (Kemptborne, 1979). Supposing the clients own powers and rights to alter any statistical findings, their project or contracts becomes illegal since this act goes against the ethical puzzles of conduct, as well as the public policy.

Ethical guidance may be acquired from pertinent professional organizations. For instance, the ethical guidelines for statistical practices from the American Statistical Association encompass ethical considerations including major principles: (i)only collect data necessitated for the purpose of inquiry. (ii) Protect the information confidentiality. (iii) Be honest and objective oriented in order to maintain the integrity. (iv) Present information on the general nature of inquiry, as well as the intended data usage. (v) Accept and utilize the statistical procedures without any concept of coming up with favorable results. (vi) Never disclose private information about any client without their full consent.

The above principles of good ethical conduct govern the behavior of the statistician as long as the role can offer a foundation for statistical validity evaluation. According to Hill (1981), being honest and objective oriented, in compliance with proper utilization of the statistical procedures without any concept of coming up with favorable results appear to be the most appropriate guideline. This is because it encloses the fundamental ethical codes required in order to attain data transparency, and to produce accurate and reliable information.

With regards to scientific works, scientists can never evade a predisposition contextual view pertaining to the matter under exploration. On the contrary, Christians' contextual views are partially based on nature and partially on the biblical teachings about man. Christians view mankind as a union that narrowly connects scientific materials. However, from the Christians' historical context, (Hill, 1981) Bayes' theorem explains the statistical analysis through a method of induction, which shows how, given the results from an experiment; statisticians may obtain the probability of a hypothesis. Attempts to relate the Bayesian formula to other scientific revolutions thereby reveals the Bayesian method emerging the victor. This clearly develops an understanding on the development of this method as proudly connected to philosophical ties. Christians can thus understand statistical issues and tie them to their own faith via the Christian point-of-view.

In the social context, statistics may also function within the periphery of societal perceptions. Here, there are various ethical problems to which the biblical norms of honesty, love, truth, justice and authority may apply (Hill, 1981). Furthermore, the statistical profession is aware of the ethical issues hence involves in taking a solid stand on professional integrity. On the other dimensions, opinion polls may be of great importance to the government, which values the biblical norm that whoever is in the position of authority has the obligation to serve the people over whom one has authority. Such a government should govern according to the will of her people and according to the principles from the word of God. The opinion polls thereby aid the government from a Christian worldview.