NSPE Code of Ethics Case Study (ENGINEERING RESEARCH — CLIENT CHANGES TO REPORT)

FACTS:

Engineer A is a research professor at a major engineering college. He performs important research in connection with certain new technologies in the field of transportation. As part of his work, the university has received a number of grants from major corporations and the federal government. As the principal investigator, Engineer A collaborates with several other research professors at the university as well as graduate students. In addition, he routinely meets with representatives of government agencies and private funding groups and reports on the status of his research, and publishes the results in professional journals and at technical conferences. Engineer A has a long standing relationship with the university and is a tenured professor. He has received multiple honors and awards for his services. Engineer A highly values his reputation as a professor and researcher. Engineer A meets with the major commercial sponsor of his transportation research and present the results of his research in a paper, including charts, graphs, and other illustrative material. The commercial sponsor clearly has a significant interest in the research report and its conclusions and, subsequently, the commercial sponsor makes certain changes in the research report bearing Engineer A’s name without his knowledge and approval. The changes include altering report text, altering tables and removal of figures. Engineer A seeks assistance concerning the appropriate course of action.

QUESTION #1: Would Engineer A be ethical in taking action against the sponsor?

QUESTION #2: Was the sponsor ethical in altering Engineer A’s report?