This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND PRACTICES - COLUMN 167


Topical Index-Table of Contents to the Professional Ethics and Practices Columns


A topically based Index-Table of Contents, “pe&p index.xls” cov ering columns, articles, and letters to the editor that have been referred to in the PE&P columns in Excel format is on the AIPG web site in the Ethics section. This Index-Table of Contents is updated as each issue of the TPG is published. You can use it to find those items addressing a particular area of concern. Suggestions for improvements should be sent to David Abbott, dmageol@msn.com


Compiled by David M. Abbott, Jr., CPG-04570 5055 Tamarac Street, Denver, CO 80238 303-394-0321, dmageol@msn.com


What Constitutes Publication?


The answer to this question used to be simple. A paper was published when included in a journal/magazine, newspa- per, or book. The web introduced new and much wider forms of publication. Editor John Berry faced the question when he received a submission of an article that the author had posted on LinkedIn. To his credit, the author noted the LinkedIn posting in his submission. Does this constitute publication?


As was done in the “Submitting a paper to two or more publishers at the same time” topic in column 164, I looked at the AGU’s publication policies for guidance. Under the heading “Dual Publication Policy,” there is a subhead- ing “Prior Publication” that states:


AGU publishes journals and books for the purpose of disseminating reports of original investigations to its membership, the general scientific community and the public at large.


In order to preserve the integrity of AGU publications with respect to publishing original investigations, AGU prohibits the submission of material for publication that has been previously published in any form that constitutes public distribution. Specifically, any document that is accessible to a library user, who does not have special access or privileges, directly or indirectly in paper or elec- tronic form is considered published, except as noted below.


Previously published explicitly does not include oral or poster presen- tations, meeting abstracts or student theses/dissertations. AGU does allow posting of preprints and accepted papers in not-for-profit preprint serv- ers that are designed to facilitate com-


munity engagement and discovery across the sciences. Any other online publication with a service that pro- vides archiving with citation proto- cols and public retrieval capabilities constitutes prior publication.1


Because the LinkedIn article is pub- licly accessible, it has been published. Similarly, posting an article on a blog constitutes publication. Whether such publication will be given credit for aca- demic advancement or other standing is another matter and that will in part depend on the specifics of the situation. Likewise, whether this paper will still be considered for republication by another journal will depend on the Editor and the journal’s editorial policies. Such republication is a means of giving wider distribution to a worthwhile paper.


Report Recommendation — Stop Working on This Project


In columns 33 and 34 (Aug & Sep


      much exploration/examination/test- ing is enough?” Certainly, that all too common recommendation that “more work should be done” to provide greater assurance in the interpretations and conclusions reached is true. But is the increased assurance likely to change the conclusions? When is “enough is enough” the correct answer? I was recently exam- ining the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration’s Code of Ethics, in par- ticular, Clause 5 of the Code and inter- pretation f thereunder which states, A member “shall advise the member’s client or employer whenever the member believes, based on the member’s studies, that a project proposed by the client or employer may not be viable.” This inter- pretive clause gets directly to the point of “How much exploration/examination/


testing is enough?” I think that this ethical provision should be added to the AIPG Code of Ethics as new Rule 3.2.4. What do you think? Should this proposed Rule 3.2.4 be added to the AIPG Code of Ethics?


The Ethics of Being a Committee Member


A fellow CPG contacted me about a sit- uation in which the chair of a geoscience organization’s committee was allegedly representing his/her personal views as the views of the committee. These were views about which continuing discussion was occurring and there was opposition to some of the chair’s opinions. The CPG’s question was, “Is there something in the AIPG Code of Ethics that addresses this sort of conduct? The answer is not specifically. There are provisions that generally but non-specifically cover the situation. These are:


•Canon 4. Obligations to Professional Colleagues. Members shall respect the rights, interests, and contributions of their profes- sional colleagues.


•Standard 4.1. Members shall respect and acknowledge the profes- sional status and contributions of their colleagues.


•Standard 4.2. Members shall be accurate, truthful, and candid in all communications with others regard- ing professional colleagues.


Presenting one’s personal views as those of the committee disrespects the rights, interests, and contribu- tions of the other committee members. Communicating one’s personal views as those of the committee is inaccurate, untruthful, and misleading.


The issues in this case arose because of an article that reviewed the history and current status of the committee’s


1. https://publications.agu.org/author-resource-center/publication-policies/dual-publication-policy. www.aipg.org Jul.Aug.Sep 2018 • TPG 37


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64