Professional Ethics & Standards Flashcards

A CAP-certified analyst discovers that a model they deployed six months ago contains a coding error that inflated projected savings presented to a client. What does the INFORMS/CAP Code of Ethics require the analyst to do?

Answer: Disclose the error to the client promptly and correct the analysis

The CAP Code of Ethics requires honesty and prompt disclosure of errors that affect stakeholders' decisions, regardless of when they are discovered.

During a project, a client asks a CAP analyst to remove outlier data points solely because they weaken the case for a decision the client has already made. The most ethical response is to:

Answer: Explain that data may only be excluded for defensible methodological reasons and document any exclusions

Analysts must not manipulate data to support predetermined conclusions; exclusions require sound methodological justification and transparent documentation.

A CAP holder is asked to lead a deep-learning project but has no experience with neural networks. Under the ethical standard of professional competence, the analyst should:

Answer: Disclose the limitation and either gain competence, collaborate with qualified experts, or decline

The competence principle requires practitioners to work within their expertise or transparently supplement it through training or qualified collaboration.

An analytics consultant simultaneously serves two competing retailers and realizes insights from one engagement could benefit the other. Which action best aligns with CAP ethical standards?

Answer: Disclose the potential conflict of interest to both clients and maintain strict information barriers

Conflicts of interest must be disclosed to affected parties, and confidential information from one client cannot be used to benefit another.

A CAP analyst's predictive hiring model shows significantly lower selection rates for a protected demographic group, though overall accuracy is high. The most ethically appropriate first step is to:

Answer: Investigate the disparity, assess for bias, and inform stakeholders before deployment

Ethical practice requires assessing and disclosing potential discriminatory impacts before a model influences consequential decisions about people.

When presenting analytics results to executives, a CAP professional is ethically obligated to communicate:

Answer: Results along with material assumptions, limitations, and uncertainty

Honest communication requires conveying assumptions, limitations, and uncertainty so decision-makers understand the reliability of the results.

A junior team member tells a CAP-certified project lead that a senior colleague fabricated validation results. The project lead's ethical responsibility is to:

Answer: Take the concern seriously, investigate through appropriate channels, and protect the reporter from retaliation

Ethical leadership requires investigating credible misconduct allegations through proper channels while safeguarding those who report in good faith.