GEOETHICS IN THE GEOSCIENCES

Questionnaire
Geoethics in the Geosciences
Authors:

Silvia Peppoloni and Giuseppe Di Capua
Person responsible for data collection and storage:

Giuseppe Di Capua (giuseppe.dicapua@ingv.it)

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics: http://www.geoethics.org
Objectives

The goal of this questionnaire is to understand how much the geoscience community is aware of the importance of the ethical and social aspects of geoscience research and practice.

The feedback received will help IAPG select priorities in its strategy of promoting geoethics.

Topics

The questionnaire covers the following topics:
- Research integrity and professionalism in conducting geoscience activities.
- Respect towards colleagues and appropriate behaviours in the working environment.
- Conflicts of interest.
- Awareness of geoscientists' responsibilities towards society in the dissemination of scientific results, in geoscience communication and geo-education activities.
- Roles and responsibilities of geoscientists in the decision-making process.
- Relationship between the geoscience community and stakeholders.
- Responsibilities of geoscientists towards the Earth system.
Comments

We address this questionnaire to all members of the geoscience community, and are promoting it through the web channels of the IAPG and partner organisations, to assure wide international participation.
You can fill in the questionnaire anonymously. We aimed it at people in the performance of their institutional/professional activities, without implying personal data or information related to their private life.
People filling in the questionnaire act on a voluntary basis. This questionnaire does not contain any reference to political, religious or racial topics. Before filling in the questionnaire, we ask the interviewee to provide her/his own acceptance of statements related to having read the above information, the freedom to withdraw from the survey at any time, and to remain anonymous.

Time needed for filling in the questionnaire

You should be able to complete the survey in 30 minutes.

Procedures for data management

IAPG's procedures for data collection, storage, protection, retention and destruction comply with the "EU GDPR" policy (European Union - General Data Protection Regulation): https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/data-protection-eu_en.

Acknowledgements

This questionnaire is an initiative of the IAPG – International Association for Promoting Geoethics, partially funded by the IUGS – International Union of Geological Sciences.

The questionnaire has been realized with the great contribution of Jan Boon (IAPG-Canada co-coordinator) and Ruth Allington (IAPG Board of Experts).

We are also grateful to Susan Kieffer and Shrikant Limaye (IAPG Vice-Presidents), Margaret Brocx, Nic Bilham, and Roberto Greco (IAPG Continental Coordinators), Martin Bohle (IAPG Board of Experts), for their help to improve further this questionnaire.

We also thank Peter Bobrowsky (IAPG Continental Coordinators), Christine McEntee, and Luis González de Vallejo (IAPG Board of Experts) for taking part in the test phase of the questionnaire.

More information

For more information, please, send an email to iapgeoethics@aol.com
Questionnaire

GEOETHICS IN THE GEOSCIENCES
Please try to complete all questions marked with an asterisk, unless you prefer to remain anonymous.

CONSENT FORM*

	I accept
I confirm that I have read and understood the information provided about the survey and have had the opportunity to ask questions.
I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw at any time, without giving any reason and without my legal rights being affected.
I know that it is not mandatory to indicate my name, gender, nationality, and email, and that my answers to the questionnnaire can be completely anonymous.

Date

DayMonthYear
Interviewee information
First name (optional)
Last name (optional)
Gender (optional)
Country in which you are currently based*
Nationality (optional)
Age*

< 2020-4041-60>60
Email (optional)
example@example.com
Educational qualification*

DegreePhDMasterOther
Affiliation*
Work activity*

Researcher/TechnologistSenior researcher/technologistResearcher/Technologist directorUniversity professorPractitionerFreelanceTechnicianSchool teacherStudent/PhD studentRetiredOther
Fields of activity*
How many years of professional experience do you have?*
PART A – General inquiry
1) How would you define ethics? (multiple choice)*

Exploring issues around human choicesGuidance towards right and wrong humans' choicesConfronting ethical dilemmasIdentifying values on which to base right and wrong humans' behavioursDefining codes of conduct/behaviourEstablishing legal constraints to humans behavioursOther
2) Have you ever heard about ethics applied to the geosciences, namely geoethics?*

YesNo
2a) If yes, how did you hear about it? (multiple choice)*

InternetNewspapersTelevisionRadioScientific meetingsScientific publicationsSocial networksProjectsColleaguesOther

3) What is your opinion about the importance of geoethics for geoscience research and practice?

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Irrelevant, 5 is Essential

4) In how much of your research/professional activity do you consciously need to consider geoethics?

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Never, 5 is Always

5) How important is geoethics for the organisation in which you work?

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Irrelevant, 5 is Essential

6) Why should a geoscientist behave ethically (choose up to 3 which you consider to be most important)?*

It is the right thing to doIt is in accordance with personal ethicsA scientist always acts in an ethical wayIt is an advantage for the scientist/practitionerTo be compliant with lawsTo be compliant with professional codes of conduct or laws and regulationsTo avoid negative repercussions on career and reputationTo get the trust of clients and communitiesTo earn professional and scientific credibilityTo best serve societyTo protect the environmentOther
7) When researching/practicing geosciences, which of the following are the most important reference values for you? (choose up to 3)*

Honesty in all aspects of my activityAccountability in conducting my workProfessional courtesy and fairness in working with othersBeing compliant with laws and regulationsAssuring societal benefitsProviding environmental protectionDoing a good jobOther
8) In your work, which elements among the following are of most importance? (choose up to 3)*

ReliabilitySharingCredibillityPrestigeIntegritySatisfactionRelationshipsCareerOther

9) How important is awareness of your individual responsibility in your work activities?

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Irrelevant, 5 is Essential

10) In your experience, did you ever observe any of the following behaviours within your working environment? (multiple choice)*

Theft or other criminal behavioursPlagiarismDisrespect of authorshipHarassmentConflict of interestsUncooperative attitudesNegligence in professional practice or applying scientific methodsGender or racial discriminationFalsification of dataNone of theseOther

11) How important is responsibility towards colleagues in your work activities?*

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Irrelevant, 5 is Essential

12) How well do you feel supported by your organisation and colleagues in ethical/behavioural matters?*

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Not supported, 5 is Well supported

13) Have you ever been a whistleblower in your organisation?*

YesNoOther
13a) Would you consider that it was safe to be a whistleblower in your organisation?*

YesNoOther
14) Among the following fields of activities, where do you see clear ethical or social implications? (multiple choice)*

Risk reductionClimate change studiesEnvironmental monitoringData acquisition, storage, elaboration and management (data life cycle)Geoscience educationNatural resources exploitation and managementRelationships between geoscientists, media, and decision makersGeoscience communicationGeoheritage and geodiversity enhancementLand use managementWater and groundwater managementFossil conservationWorking environmentHazard studiesOther
15) Do you think that your activities have an impact on society?*

YesNo
15a) If yes, on which social actors in particular? (choose up to 3)*

CitizensDecision-makersLawmakersUniversitiesAuthoritiesIndustryProfessional geoscience associationsStudentsNGOsAllOther
15b) What these impacts are? (optional)

16) How important is responsibility towards society in your work activities?*

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Irrelevant, 5 is Essential

17) Do you think that your activities have an impact on the natural environment?*

YesNo
17a) What these impacts are? (optional)

18) How important is responsibility towards the natural environment in your work activity?*

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Irrelevant, 5 is Essential

PART B – Inquiry on specific aspects related to the organization to which you belong or you are affiliated (e.g. if you are a freelance worker)
19) Is there an ethics board or office in your organisation?*

YesNoI don't know
20) Does your organisation have a code of conduct or a code of ethics?*

YesNoI don't know
21) Has your organisation a communication strategy?*

YesNoI don't know
21a) If yes, who is the target audience for communication? (choose one or more)*

CitizensDecision makersMediaUniversitiesSchoolsAuthoritiesIndustryProfessional communityNGOsI don't knowOther
22) What type of channels does your organisation use for communication? (choose one or more)*

WebsiteNewspapersTelevisionRadioNewsletterSocial networksI don't knowEmailOther
23) In your opinion, what are the most important subjects to be communicated to the target audience? (choose one or more)*

Raw dataElaborated dataScientific and technological resultsInformation on georisksScientific methodsTechnologies availableScientific uncertainties and probabilities of occurenceBest practicesCorrect behaviours for citizensGeoscience knowledgeInformation for decision-makersEnvironmental thresholdsOther
24) Does your organisation carry out geoeducation activities?*

YesNoI don't know
24a) If yes, who is the target audience for geoeducation? (choose one or more)*

StudentsGeneral publicTeachersResearchersChartered geoscientistsJournalistsTechniciansPublic officersI don't knowOther
24b) If yes, which tools does your organisation use for geoeducation? (choose one or more)*

SeminarsDidactic laboratoriesMuseumsConferencesVideosWebinarsE-learning modulesExhibitionsI don't knowOther
25) In your opinion, which are the most important aspects that geoeducation should develop? (choose one or more)*

Geoscientific knowledgeCapability for risk mitigationAwareness about hazardsValue of environmental heritage and geoheritageResponsible use of geo-resourcesRespect for natural dynamicsCapacity in sustainable approachesImportance of geosciences for daily lifeOther
26) Does your organisation have a policy for the data life cycle?*

YesNoI don't know
27) Do you think that data produced by your organisation may be subject to misuse?*

YesNoI don't know
27a) If yes, for which purposes? (choose one or more)*

TerrorismIndustrial espionageFinancial speculationsCrimeMedia scoopIdeological mattersScientific controversiesOther
28) Does your organization have a policy related to publications?*

YesNoI don't know
28a) If yes, which aspects have been considered? (choose one or more)*

CopyrightPatent policyDispute resolutionsConflict of interestsAuthorshipPlagiarismI don't knowOther
29) Does your organisation have an anti-corruption office, leader, policy or other mechanism to deal with corruption?*

YesNoI don't know
30) Does your organisation have a policy for inclusion and access for personnel with disabilities?*

YesNoI don't know
31) Does your organisation have a gender balance policy?*

YesNoI don't know
32) Which of your stakeholders are interested in your geoscience activity? (choose one or more)*

UniversitiesGovernment agenciesPublic companiesTechniciansLawmakersDecision-makersProfessional environmentPrivate companiesSchool teachersCitizens/Community membersI don't knowNGOsOther
33) If you don't work in a company, does your organisation have relationships with commercial organisations ("industry")?*

YesNoI don't knowNot applicable
33a) If yes, does it receive funding from commercial organisations ("industry")?*

YesNoI don't know
34) Does your organisation at times find itself in situations of real or perceived conflict of interest?*

YesNoI don't knowNot applicable
34a) If yes, how much does this conflict affect the activities of your organisation?*

Very muchModerateNot muchNot in the leastI don't know
35) Do you at times find yourself in situations of real or perceived conflict of interest?*

YesNoI don't know
35a) If yes, do these situations arise within your organisation, with external stakeholders or both?*

Yes, within my organisationYes, with external stakeholdersYes, within my organisation and with external stakeholdersNoOther
36) Is there a policy to limit the environmental impact of the activities of your organisation?*

YesNoI don't know
37) Are there activities or initiatives in your organisation that enhance sustainability?*

YesNoI don't know
37a) If yes, can you describe these activities or initiatives in short? (optional)

0/100
CONCLUSION
38) Geoethics consists of….. (please, choose 10 elements that best describe geoethics):*

AwarenessGood senseChangeBureaucracyResponsibilityUsefulnessDevelopmentControlRespectNecessityTheoryObstacleCollaborationEnhancementPracticeIdeologyKnowledgeEducationScienceMonopolyProgressCommunicationOpinionCensorshipTransparencyCooperationCultureProtectionInclusivityPragmatismManipulationReliabilityHonestyObservationVaguenessSustainabilityIntegrityInformationAbstractionDeontologyRightManagementDoubtfulnessCareDutyExploitationRegressionTrustBalanceUtopiaDamageSafetyConservationDiversity

39) Do you want to suggest other elements?

	Click to edit
1)
2)
3)

40) In your opinion, how important is it that each of the following geoscience themes is practised or studied with a geoethical perspective? Please, give a score, from 1 (lowest) to 4 (highest).*

	Click to edit
Geoscience communication
Geodiversity and biodiversity conservation
Geoeducation
Geoheritage enhancement
Natural resources
Inclusivity policy
Natural risks
Environmental monitoring
Data management
Professionalism
Gender balance
Global warming
Climate change
Deontological codes
Research integrity
Relationships scientists-media-decision makers
Conflict of interest
Relationships science-industry
Relationships science-citizens
Adaptation
Resilience
Prevention
Sustainability

41) Do you want to suggest other themes?

	Click to edit
1)
2)
3)

42) To which of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals can geoscientists most contribute? (multiple choice)*

1. No poverty2. Zero hunger3. Good health and well-being4. Quality education5. Gender equality6. Clean water and sanitation7. Affordable and clean energy8. Decent work and economic growth9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure10. Reduced inequalities11. Sustainable cities and communities12. Responsible production and consumption13. Climate action14. Life below water15. Life on land16. Peace, justice and strong institutions17. Partnerships for the goals
43) Do you know the definition of "Geoethics" provided by the IAPG?*

YesNo
44) Do you know the "Cape Town Statement on Geoethics" by the IAPG?*

YesNo
45) Do you know the "Geoethical Promise", included in the Cape Town Statement on Geoethics?*

YesNo
46) Do you know the "White Paper on Responsible Mining" by the IAPG Task Group on Responsible Mining?*

YesNo
If in one or more of the answers to the questions 43), 44), 45), and 46) you chose "NO", visit the IAPG website to get more information: http://www.geoethics.org
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Geoethics in the Geosciences

Questionnaire