Over the last decade, practice ethics in adult education has become an increasingly visible
topic of interest and concern in the literature of the field. However, relatively little research has
been done in the whole area of ethics and codes of ethics. This study was undertaken to broaden
the empirical data base within the field and provide further insight into the area of practice ethics.
The purpose of the study was to examine the views of adult educators in British Columbia
about the need for a code of ethics for the field of adult education and to identify the issues,
concerns and dilemmas experienced by them. The study is an approximate replication of a 1991
study by McDonald in the state of Indiana.
Using survey methodology, three groups of adult education practitioners (N = 460)
received a mailed questionnaire that included items related to the study topic and demographic
characteristics. A 60% return rate was achieved. The major findings generated by this study
confirm positive practitioner views about codes of ethics and support the findings reported in the
Indiana study. The findings of this study include:
• The majority of adult educators surveyed believe there should be a code of ethics for the
field of adult education.
• Less than a majority of adult educators surveyed knew of the existence of, or were
currently operating under, a code of ethics.
• The majority of adult educators surveyed indicated an overall positive view about the
general functions of a code of ethics.
• Issues related to the learner are most frequently cited as needing to be addressed in a code
of ethics for the field of adult education.
• The professional association was the most frequently identified organization that adult
educators believe should create, disseminate and enforce a code of ethics.
• The majority of adult educators either disagree or are unsure about the regulating function
of a code of ethics.
• The majority of adult educators surveyed cited examples of ethical
issues/concerns/dilemmas from their practice settings.
• The most frequently cited ethical issues/dilemmas relate to confidentiality concerns and
learner/adult educator relationship issues.
Historically, the debate about the need for a code of ethics for the field of adult education
has been focused within the academic community. This study contributes a practitioner
perspective to the ongoing debate. The strong message conveyed by British Columbia adult
educators about the need for a code of ethics also clearly reflects the growing trend of code
development by professional associations in Canada and the United States. Continued emphasis
on educational efforts to address the issues arising from this study and further research in the area
of practice ethics are suggested. / Education, Faculty of / Graduate
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UBC/oai:circle.library.ubc.ca:2429/6502 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Gordon, Wanda Marja |
| Source Sets | University of British Columbia |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, Thesis/Dissertation |
| Format | 6105672 bytes, application/pdf |
| Rights | For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use. |
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