My Knowledge Portal

Citation:

Lorents, A C, Maris, J. M., Morgan, J N, & Neal, G L (July 2006). Ethics of computer use: a survey of student attitudes. Academy of Information and Management Sciences Journal, 9, 2. p.45(16). Retrieved July 02, 2011, from Academic OneFile via Gale:

http://find.galegroup.com/gps/start.do?prodId=IPS&userGroupName=phdiliman

Abstract

Computer ethics is a pressing issue not only in the field of information system, computer science and other related courses, but also in discipline such as business and other industry. This research by Lorents et al. determined whether Information system and Business major undergraduate students differ in terms of tolerance to ethical use of computer, services and products. The study used different scenarios such as misuse of information, hacking, illegal downloading and other unauthorized access of computer to indicate whether students viewed it as ethical or unethical using a Likert scale.

The study revealed that there is only a slight difference between IS students and business majors as they viewed the scenarios given as unethical, though IS students are little less tolerant in some modest breaches of ethics such as for personal use. The study also suggests that the motives or intent of the student plays a significant role in their view of a work as ethical or not. Personal use and intellectual curiosity are seen as somewhat unethical than for-profit purposes and with malicious intent which are perceived as very unethical.

3 Things I Learned

1. Unauthorized access of computer, illegal downloading, and other petty works of misuse and acquiring of information are very unethical regardless of your motives (personal use, for profit, intellectual curiosity, distribution, for non-profit institution, etc) and regardless of the gravity of intent.

2. Netiquette and computer ethics is a serious matter that it should be included or integrated in class subjects not only for IT and IS courses but across all disciplines. After all, we are all using and accessing information with the use and help of computer.

3. We, as information users, information providers and information generators, play a pivotal role in imparting and imbibing computer ethics not only to our end users but also to our family and friends.

Application

As I cater and utilize information, I will observe with utmost consciousness and knowledge the do's and don't's of accessing information so as to be a model of a true library and information specialist.