FAQ: How do I locate a professional code of ethics?

What are professional ethics and why do we need a code? According to the Encyclopedia of Ethics, professional ethics are commitments and values that certain professionals within our society follow (Goldman, 2001). Adhering to a set of values and norms in a profession provides individuals with clear expectations, guidance, and a structured framework. This also allows the public to better understand the behavior, norms and expectations when they engage with these groups.  

Searching the Web

1. Start with a profession or specific type of organization in mind. Keep in mind that some codes may require either a paid association membership or signing up for free. You are always encouraged to sign up for free but are not required to join any paid membership or organization.
2. Try a simple keyword search in the open web search of your choice. Let’s say you are looking for any code of ethics that librarians might have. You know that there are several large professional organizations such as the American Library Association or the American College of Research Libraries. Here are a few sample searches you could try:
   • librarians AND code AND ethics
   • libraries AND ethics AND professional
   • American Library Association AND code AND ethics
3. One of the results you will see from the first sample search is a Professional Ethics - Tools, Publications & Resources page This link opens in a new window on the American Libraries Association website. On that site you will see a professional code of ethics as well as lots of other links to standards and guidelines that might be useful to you. Be curious and take some time to dive into the information you find and let it lead you into other relevant areas.

Using the Occupational Outlook Handbook

Another way to unearth a professional code of ethics is to use the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook This link opens in a new window. This handbook allows you to search by occupation groups such as architecture and engineering, business and financial, healthcare, and more.

1. Select an occupation you are interested in. For example, Architects This link opens in a new window from the Engineering section.
2. Look in the “How to Become One” section. In our “Architects” example, there is information on education, training and licenses, certifications, and registrations.
3. Look in the “Education” section. You will see that the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and the National Architectural Accrediting Board are mentioned and they are hyperlinked so you can go right to their homepages.
4. Visit the homepages of these boards. These are great organizational websites to visit to see if a code of ethics is available for the architectural profession.

Have you tried some of these tips above and have questions? Please reach out to a librarian via chat or email from the top right of our library homepage.

References

Goldman, A. H. (2001). Professional ethics. In L. C. Becker & C. B. Becker (Eds.), Encyclopedia of ethics (2nd ed.). Routledge.