Question 1

The Walkerton Inquiry concluded that responsibility for Walkerton's water deadly contamination in May 2000 rests with

Accepted Answer

Unethical behaviour at various levels of the Ontario government, from the Walkerton water manager all the way up to the Premier and his cabinet, was found to be responsible for Walkerton's water deadly contamination in May 2000.

Question 2

Which of the following guidelines for ethical communication is considered "practical"?

Accepted Answer

C

Question 3

Groupthink occurs when group members

Accepted Answer

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people when the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. It is characterized by members of the group minimizing conflict and reaching a consensus decision without critical evaluation of alternative viewpoints, often leading to poor decisions. This is because the group pressure leads to a decrease in individual critical thinking and evaluation of potential solutions or problems.

Question 4

Clear critical thinking can help workers write and act ethically, because

Accepted Answer

Clear critical thinking aids in avoiding the fallacy of absolutism, which is the incorrect belief that there are absolute standards of right and wrong that apply to all situations. This awareness helps in making more nuanced and ethical decisions.

Question 5

Whistle blowing is defined as

Accepted Answer

Whistleblowing involves reporting unethical practices or violations of laws, rules, or regulations, typically within an organization, to someone in a position of authority or to an external entity capable of taking corrective action.

Question 6

The law

Accepted Answer

The law can provide a framework for ethical behavior, but it does not cover every ethical dilemma or situation. Thus, it occasionally provides adequate guidelines for ethical actions, acknowledging that ethics can extend beyond legal boundaries.

Question 7

Legal guidelines for writers include

Accepted Answer

All of the choices mentioned are part of legal guidelines for writers. Libelous statements are covered under defamation laws, copyright laws protect original works of authorship, and software is also protected under copyright laws, specifically addressing the protection of computer programs.

Question 8

By definition, ethical communication

Accepted Answer

Ethical communication focuses on honesty, fairness, and integrity in the exchange of information. While it may strive for effectiveness in informing and persuading, its primary concern is not necessarily the achievement of these goals at any cost, but rather the manner in which the communication is conducted. Thus, it may be effective, but its effectiveness is not guaranteed or its sole purpose.

Question 9

Ethical employees should always owe their greatest loyalty to

Accepted Answer

Ethical employees should prioritize the interests and well-being of clients and customers, as serving them effectively and with integrity is fundamental to the ethical standards of most professions and businesses.

Question 10

When an employee learns about his or her company's ethical violations, whistle blowing

Accepted Answer

Whistleblowing can have significant repercussions for the employee, including potential career risks. It's a serious decision that requires careful consideration of the consequences and the ethical implications of both action and inaction.

Question 11

Technical communicators face hard ethical choices in

Accepted Answer

Technical communicators often face ethical dilemmas in deciding how much information to reveal honestly to ensure clarity, accuracy, and fairness in their communication, without misleading or omitting important details.

Question 12

Documents that may be read outside the workplace are primarily responsible for

Accepted Answer

Documents intended for external reading should provide an honest and transparent account of all relevant facts and interpretations to maintain credibility and trust.

Question 13

Workplace writing is legally regulated by

Accepted Answer

Copyright laws regulate the use and distribution of written documents and software, ensuring that the creators' rights are protected.

Question 14

The following is not a good criterion for making ethical judgments

Accepted Answer

Ethical judgments should primarily focus on obligations, ideals, and the consequences of actions on others, rather than on financial implications for a company. Financial considerations, while important in business decisions, do not serve as a good criterion for determining the ethicality of actions.

Question 15

The following exemplifies unethical behaviour:

Accepted Answer

Failing to report test data that reveals potential equipment failure is unethical because it involves withholding critical information that could prevent harm or ensure the safety and effectiveness of equipment or processes.

Question 16

Proprietary information includes any document that

Accepted Answer

Proprietary information refers to information that is owned exclusively by a company and is considered a valuable asset, often because it gives the company a competitive advantage. This includes trade secrets, business strategies, and other confidential data.

Question 17

Which of the following situations most likely contains the potential for unethical communication?

Accepted Answer

The drug commercial showing happy, smiling people while listing possible side effects can be seen as potentially unethical because it may downplay the seriousness of the side effects through the use of positive imagery, potentially misleading viewers about the drug's safety.

Question 18

Pressure to engage in or comply with company-sanctioned unethical behaviour could come from

Accepted Answer

Loyalty to the company and its culture can lead employees to comply with unethical practices if they believe it aligns with the company's interests or expectations.

Question 19

People act ethically, and "do the right thing," often because

Accepted Answer

People act ethically and "do the right thing" often because they subscribe to the moral, "treat others as you would have them treat you." This is known as the Golden Rule, and it is a common moral principle that is found in many different cultures and religions.

Quiz 6: An Overview of the Technical Writing Process