Autonomy Some Computer Professionals example essay topic

Despite the undisputed success of professionalism, many debates and questions remain unanswered going back as far as Flexner 1915, this has been centred around how professions should be defined, which occupation should be called professionals, and by what institutional criteria. There is no single, integrating characteristic of all professions and it is impossible to derive a clear theoretical category, there has and is many characteristics and personal views to attempt to define professionalism. One of the most widely discussed issues is "which occupation should be called professionals?" this question leads to challenge at a theoretical level of thought; this is done by looking at different approaches to definitions. One way of defining a profession is to adopt an idealist approach, such an approach described by Hayle and John (1995) as the "Criterion approach" leads to a set of defining characteristics against which the conduct of a professional can be measured, this approach has been used by many ethicist who list either traits or characteristics when defining a professional. Another approach to the question of definition is a social constructivist approach, which views the profession as a relative concept susceptible to different constructions according to the time and place. "A profession is a lifelong occupation with a specific set of competencies based on theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in institutions of higher educations", (Synthesized definition by Matas sarin-Jacobs, 1984) This definition is based on the preceding definitions given by Cogan (1953), Hughes (1983), Barber (1963), Vollmer and Mills (1966), and Schein (1972).

Deborah Johnson also states a similar characteristic in her definition "Professions require mastery through higher education, only members of the profession possess this knowledge". But where as Abraham Flexner 1915 states a professional needs knowledge but does not state in higher education "a professional possesses and draws on a store of knowledge that is more than ordinary" Taking a look back in history the mid-Victorian movement for the reform of secondary and higher education petered out, due to the fact it wasn't easy for the majority to find the money to launch their children into professional life. As a late ICS man remarked "money for younger sons was scarce and it was not easy to be independent" (Professional Men P. 202). According to another characteristic by Deborah Johnson "members of professions typically have a good deal of autonomy in their work compared to other occupations in which members simply act on orders given". Deborah Johnson is not the only person to state this characteristic; Ronald Pavalko states, "Occupational autonomy, the profession is self-regulating and self-controlling, only members of the profession judge and certify who is competent to practise".

Again Matas son-Jacobs states in his synthesized definition "A profession establishes self control and self regulation by forming an association of colleagues; this association then being responsible for establishing and maintaining autonomy through its code of ethics, credentialing mechanisms, definitions and standards of practise and competence. The profession is granted this autonomy through public recognition that the service provide is essential and that only this profession possess the legitimate knowledge to provide this service" Several Scholars have approached the problem of definitions by compiling lists of "traits". Ronald Pavalko (1971) discussed a continuum between an occupation and a professional. Pavalko has included theory or intellectual technique, relevance to basic social values, training periods motivation, autonomy commitment, service of community and codes of ethics.

However such lists (traits) have not solved the problem of definition for three main reasons (Erat 1994) Without any clearly argued justification, each list appeals to be based on the author's view of the most salient characteristics of high status professions. When Hickman and Thomas (1969) applied to a list of thirteen commonly agreed traits to forty-three qualifying associations they found a continuum of scores from 0 - 13 without any clear cut off points and little evidence of some traits taking precedence over others. Several traits culturally specific, with greater significance in some countries than others. Pavalko argues that because of these attributes (traits) professionals are perceived to exhibit that high quality of work in terms of requisite expertise, experience and dedication to service, which justifies public respect and trust. But while most definitions overlap in the elements, traits or attributes, a number of tallies have demonstrated a persistent lack of consensus about which traits are to be emphasized in theorizing (Millers on 1964) Deborah Johnson also states in her characteristics: - "Professions usually have a professional organisation recognised by a state government that controls admission to the profession and sets standards for practise."Professions fulfil an important social function or are committed to a social good".

Abraham Flexner also states the following characteristics: - "A profession strides to add to and improve its body of knowledge through research"A professional possesses a theoretical and intellectual grasp that is different from a technicians practise."A professional applies theoretical and intellectual knowledge to solving human and social problems."A professional strives to add to and improve its body of knowledge through research". After Comparing and researching into other people's views and opinions and characteristics of defining professionalism, there seems to be a lot of similarity with the characteristics, for example quite a few scholars or ethicist's use higher education and autonomy. I also think that there should be a global definition for professionalism. After analysing the different characteristics that have been viewed by others, I would include a definition of the following characteristics -.

Profession is a body of theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in institutions of higher education... Professions have a great deal of Autonomy. Improve body of knowledge through research. Strong sense of commitment and loyalty and high moral standards to the profession...

Knowledge and skills vital to the well being of a large portion of society. Joining a professional body bound by a professional conduct of ethics. Looking at the characteristics from above to define a professional, I have chosen a doctor to see if this corresponds with the characteristics. Professionalism in medicine has been based on Hippocratic oath, Hippocratic is viewed as the father of medicine, and most physicians upon graduation take the oath from medical school. In modern medical practise, professionalism has been closely identified with scientific and clinical knowledge and skills unique to its practitioners. Higher Education (doctor) Medical education is the most vital point of the doctors profession and how it is actually delivered, knowledge is only gained by higher education, but it is not only education that is taught in these institutions, attitudes, communication, skills, ethics, team working and quality improvement and many other principles are being reflected equally in specialist training and continuing professional development throughout life, which is also another major characteristic in professionalism.

Great deal of Autonomy (doctor) A profession is defined by a degree of autonomy or self-regulation; a doctor has a great deal of autonomy and freedom. Where they can set up their practise and provide a service to the society by using their expert skills knowledge and their freedom of treatment. I would have to say that a doctor is strongly matches this characteristic, even though doctors would argue that autonomy in medicine is decreasing. (Doctor) A doctor matches this characteristic as a doctor is always in practise and research of medical changes. As time and nature changes, there are also changes in the practise of medicine and social conditions and expectations. With all these changes, doctors have to evolve and change with the developments.

The one thing that has not changed and will not change is the fact the public needs doctors who are knowledgeable and skilled, ethical and committed. I believe all doctors have to match these characteristics or they will be labelled as "problem doctors". Commitment and loyalty and high moral standards (doctor) Doctors in Britain will have a regular assessment throughout professional life to show they remain fit to practise. This statement also shows that the doctor professional is committed and loyal to the professional.

Knowledge and skills vital to the large portion of the society. (Doctor) Doctors and medicine have a privileged relationship with society, there must be trust between the doctor and the patient and also respect for the patient and colleagues, and also there must be respect for the institutions and health service bodies. This also raises the question of high moral standards for the professional as a whole. Joining a professional body (doctor) Every doctor after leaving medical school has to join the medical register. The General medical council (GMC) is there to make sure that when doctors join the medical register, weather the doctor is qualified at a medical school in Britain or another country, that they have the competencies described in the good medical practise. Doctors that come from abroad to study are committed to do so in accordance with the good medical practise.

Bound by a professional code of conduct and loyalty (doctor) This also carries on from joining the medical register and the general medical council, where you have follow the professional code of conduct. One of the medical analogies is "we have learnt that it is important to share knowledge and experience with patients and carers, to help them understand what is happening to them and the options for treatment" it is also a doctors responsibility to follow ethical duty to serve patients and the community to the best of its ability, this again shows loyalty to the professional and the society. In conclusion of weather a doctor matches those characteristics of professional, I strongly agree that it does match and that a doctor is a professional due to the fact that a doctor has received higher education, and it is only when you receive education and qualifications you can then join the medical register which is another characteristic for a professional. By joining the General medical register a doctor is then also bound by a professional code of conduct, which is stated in the GMC.

As the society will always depend on doctors and medicine, doctors are always researching into medicine to improve their knowledge, especially as there are so many changes in medicine. It is then due to these changes that a doctor has to take regular assessments throughout their professional life to make sure they remain fit to practise, this then shows they are committed and loyal to their profession. A doctor also has the knowledge and skills for a large portion of the society; they have a privileged relationship with the society. Many people have argued that computer professions do not have the same status as doctors, lawyers etc. Computing and software engineering has not as yet emerged as a fully-fledged profession, but many of the computer professions characteristics do match with the characteristics stated above. Higher Education (computer professional) Most computer professions have mastered an esoteric body of knowledge via higher education, to gain skills and knowledge in particular areas of computing, with research based abstract and technical knowledge through extensive reflective practise.

Many jobs do require knowledge of the use of computers, but on the other hand people who know how to use various databases, word processing packages etc wouldn't really be considered professionals. Autonomy (computer professional) Some computer professionals have a great deal of autonomy in the decisions they make. Other computer professionals are employees of large firms and software shops where they are quite restricted in their duties and autonomy. They often work on only a small part of a larger system and have little knowledge or control over decisions made about the larger projects. (Computer professional) Computers and their technology are always changing; there is always new versions of software being released, new developments of the Internet, new software and hardware developed, so constant research into these technologies is vital to keep to the computer profession. Commitment and loyalty and high moral standards (computer professional) Computer professionals are committed to their work, as that is what they have studied, for example if a programmer is writing a piece of software, he would be committed to finish the project off, but on the other hand, others don't have the same authority and autonomy to be committed to their profession and decide to move on to other fields of work.

(Computer professional) As all professionals, computer professionals have the knowledge and skills from higher education, but when it comes to the society and social functions, it seems clear that computing is now a crucial part of the society. Computing supports social institutions and professions, which are aimed at fulfilling a variety of social functions. Joining a professional body. (Computer professional) For computing professionals there is a professional body, the British computer society, which is part of the engineering council, which has strict entry standards. However it's not compulsory to become a member of the BCS in order to practise as a computer professional.

The BCS code of conduct sets the professional standards of competence, conduct and ethical practise for computing in the UK. The BCS has also obtained a royal charter. As well as the BCS, there is also the ACM, IEE and IFIP. Code of Ethics (computer professional) There is no published code of ethics, which all computer professionals are required to follow, but one kind of ethical issue which mite face a computer professional is weather to disclose a conflict of interest to a client. And as mentioned earlier BCS code of conduct sets the professional standards of competence, conduct and ethical practise. The BCS covers four main areas, public interest, duty to employers and clients, duty to the profession and the professional competence and integrity.

In conclusion to see how closely a computer professional corresponds to the definition of a professional as stated above, I think it loosely fits with the characteristics stated, as only some characteristics match where as others are not fully matching Doctors have the right and responsibilities such as prescribing drugs, keeping confidential information etc. Computer professionals do not have the same responsibilities as a doctor would but they are still responsible to protect the public health, privacy and the general welfare. For example just by following the ten commandments of computer ethics, computer professionals are responsible for their own work, other peoples work, honest to their colleagues in their surroundings and to the society as a whole. They also have the responsibility to share technical knowledge with the public by encouraging understanding of computing and also have to accept responsibility to society, meeting social responsibilities as well as quality performance. (ACM - General moral imperatives 1.1) Responsible for ensuring that computer systems improve and not degrade the quality of working life, to consider personal and professional development, safety and human dignity or all work. (ACM - General moral imperatives 1.1 & BCS code 2) Computer professionals who are in decision-making positions should verify that systems are designed and implemented to protect personal privacy and improve personal dignity.

Computer professionals must attempt to ensure that the products of their efforts will be used in socially responsible ways, meet social needs and avoid harmful effects to health and welfare. If system features are represented to users, the computing professional is responsible for any resulting injury. Copies of software should only be made with authorisation. Computing professionals are responsible to ensure that system elements perform as intended.

Responsible to clearly define appropriate and inappropriate uses of organisational computing resources. The Impact steering committee also states suggests traditional and ethical concepts Quality of life Use of power Risks and responsibilities Property rights Privacy Equity and access As well as following the commandments as above, computer professionals also have to follow the duty-based ethics (pluralism), which also overlap with some of the responsibilities from the ACM code and BCS code. These consist of: - Fidelity Reparation Justice Beneficence Self-improvement Gratitude Non-injury. Computer professionals also argue the rights that should be accorded to the developers of a piece of software, this then also brings up problems of coping software (theft).

I would have to agree with Forest or and Morrison (1990) when they stated, "Computing and software engineering has not as yet emerged as a fully-fledged profession". But many of the computer professions characteristics do match with the characteristics stated above. Higher education does give the person the knowledge and skills of an area in computers, but that does not mean if you understand databases you are then a computer professional. Some computer professions do have autonomy in their work and decisions, whereas others do not, this is due to large firms and restricted duties (depending on the organisation) I also think as there is a lack of authority and autonomy, the commitment and loyalty is not there either, people have the option to go into other fields of jobs such as management etc where there computing skills can still be used.

As mentioned before computer professionals are a crucial part of the society due to fact everything now is working of computers, but whereas a doctors relationship with his / hers patients has and will always be vital, because the public will always need medicine and doctors. So there is a big difference for computer professional's role within society. Even though the computer professionals have a professional body to join (BCS), it is not compulsory where as a doctor would have to register with the medical register. Also the BSC guides professionals in ethical values there is no published code of ethics, which all computer professionals are required to follow Looking at all the facts and information regarding Computer professionals, my decision would be that they loosely fit with the characteristics stated above and they are not professionals at the moment, but with the new technologies and the demand for more and more computers, it will not be long before they are classed as computer professionals.