Technical Communication Quarterly Apr 1997

A Question of Ethics: Lessons from Technical Communicators on the Job

Sam Dragga

Abstract

Theories of ethics typically emphasize either good character (asking "Who will I be?") or right behavior (asking "What will I do?"). Studies of ethics in technical communication have typically focused on the analysis of behavior, offering heuristics for deciding ethical dilemmas. Interviews with 48 technical communicators, however, reveal little exercise of such analytical processes. In making moral choices on the job, the majority look to feelings, intuition, and conscience. Ethics might be more effectively taught through a narrative perspective, especially by identifying models of moral courage and integrity.

Journal
Technical Communication Quarterly
Published
1997-04-01
DOI
10.1207/s15427625tcq0602_3
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Open Access
Closed
Topics
technical communication
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (10)

  1. Seawright et al. (2026)
    “Is This Ethical?” New Data on the Ethical Principles and Practices of Document…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Jones (2016)
    The Technical Communicator as Advocate: Integrating a Social Justice Approach i…
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  3. Buehl (2014)
    Toward an Ethical Rhetoric of the Digital Scientific Image: Learning From the E…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Ward (2010)
    The Ethic of Exigence: Information Design, Postmodern Ethics, and the Holocaust
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Ding (2009)
    Rhetorics of Alternative Media in an Emerging Epidemic: SARS, Censorship, and E…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
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  1. Dombrowski (2000)
    Ethics and Technical Communication: The Past Quarter Century
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Jennings (2000)
    Employed students: ethical and legal issues in the technical communication classroom
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  3. Bushneil (1999)
    A contrary view of the technical writing classroom: Notes toward future discussion
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Faber (1999)
    Intuitive ethics: Understanding and critiquing the role of intuition in ethical…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Hartung (1998)
    What Are Students being Taught about the Ethics of Technical Communication?: An…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

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