STANDARDS, PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND LIABILITY
Questions for Discussion -- March 12 and 17
Professional Standards (Thurs. March 12)
Reading: Review various codes of professional ethics
Questions:
- What standards are typically included in professional codes of ethical behavior?
- What purpose do professional standards serve?
- What, if anything, is the relationship between professional standards and quality of performance?
- What constitutes service effectiveness?
Misinformation
Reading:
Olszak. Mistakes and failures... (Course Reader)Questions:
- What are the common sources of misinformation for the information services provider?
- How can one guard against dissemination of misinformation?
Liability and Malpractice (Tues. March 17)
Readings (available in folders):
- Schwartz, Diane G. and Dottie Eakin. Reference service standards, performance criteria and evaluation. Journal of Academic Librarianship 12:1 (1986)(copy in folders)
- Dragich, Martha J. Information malpractice: some thoughts on potential liability of information professionals. Information Technology and Libraries (Sept 1989) (copy in folders)
- Denis, Sabine and Yves Poullet. Questions of liability in the provision of information services. Online Review 14:1 (1990) (copy in folders)
- Halvorson, T.R. Selected aspects of legal liabilities of independent information professionals in Electgronic information delivery, ed by Reva Basch. Gower, 1995. (copy of Ch 10 in folders)
Questions for Discussion:
- What are the potential sources of liability in information service provision?
- What is the probability of being sued for malpractice?
- How does one guard against malpractice?