Ethical Use of Information

Throughout your studies at ACC, you will develop the skills to ethically use information. Ethical use of information refers to using information in a responsible and ethical manner. This involves respecting the intellectual property rights of others and giving proper credit where credit is due. Ethical use of information also means using information only for its intended purpose and ensuring that it is accurate and reliable.

Some examples of ethical use of information include:

1. Proper citation: When using someone else’s work or ideas in your own research, it is important to give proper credit through citation. This helps to avoid plagiarism and gives credit to the original author or creator of the work.
2. Respect for intellectual property: Intellectual property refers to the ownership rights of authors and creators of original works. This includes copyright, patents, and trademarks. Ethical use of information involves respecting these rights and not using or reproducing copyrighted material without permission.
3. Accuracy and reliability: Ethical use of information also involves ensuring that the information you use is accurate and reliable. This means using credible sources and verifying information before using it in your work.
4. Avoiding misuse of information: Ethical use of information means using it only for its intended purpose and not using it to harm others or for unethical purposes.
5. Transparency: When using information, it is important to be transparent about the sources you use and how you use them. This helps to maintain trust and credibility in your work.

Overall, ethical use of information involves being responsible, respectful, and honest in the way you use and share information. By following college guidelines, like those outline ACC Policy A25: Academic Integrity, you can ensure that you are using information in a way that is fair, legal, and respectful to others.