Management of GIS

1
Management of GIS

• 451-624
• GIS Certification and Ethics
• Beato L. Cefre, Jr.
• 315417

2
Definition of Terms (Kemp 2003)

• Certification
• - is granted by the board, often under the
  control of Professional Association it
  demonstrates that the individual is competent in
  a certain criteria.
• Accreditation
• - is granted to educational institution or
  organization, and is intended that the education
  provider meets the performance standard.

3
Definition of Terms

• Qualification
• - can be obtained through successful completion
  of a formal university course of study.
• Licensure
• - regulated by legislation and intended for
  legal protection in the area of health, safety
  and welfare as a result of action by the licensed
  individual.

4
Do we need GIS certification?

• Some important reasons why GIS Certification is
  essential(Kemp 2003 Huxhold Craig 2003)
• To help those who have the passion of using GIS
  to understand and achieve the necessary
  professional development.
• To guarantee the ethical behavior by members and
  provide a basis for validity of allegation
  against GIS practitioner.
• To assist prospective employers to assess and
  hire GIS professional.

5
Do we need GIS certification?

• To define and protect professional knowledge.
• To assist aspiring GIS professionals and
  professionals outside the GIS profession choose
  their educational opportunities.
• To develop standard GIS job description.
• To contribute to the development of Geographic
  Information Science.
• To establish and maintain links to other GIS
  education bodies.

6
Why not certify?

• Issues about GIS Certification
• No clear definitions of the profession
• No clear understanding of the necessary skills
  and knowledge
• Control of the profession may be assigned to a
  single organization
• Potential to limit growth of the field, exclude
  qualified people
• Impacts on academic freedom

7
History of GIS Certification (Kemp 2003)

• 1989 - D. L. Pugh researched if the field can be
  considered a profession.
• 1990 certification became a hot issue in the
  community of GIS
• 1991 ASPRS quietly initiated a certification
  program with designation of Certified Mapping
  Scientist GIS/LIS granted for those who passed
  the peer review of their experience and training
  as well as in a written examination.

8
History of GIS Certification

• 1993 Nancy Obemeyer suggests that whether we
  like it or not, certification is an idea that is
  becoming reality
• 1997 UCGIS wrote a letter encouraging the
  association not to participate in developing
  certification program but rather encourage
  individual members to be willing to advise and
  support such initiatives from professional
  organization.

9
History of GIS Certification

• 1998 URISA Board of Directors established GIS
  certification Committee and evaluate the formal
  competency of professional design and use of GIS.
  
• 2002 Professional Certification in GIS was
  considered an international level by ISO TC 211
  -Geomatics/Geographic Information. concluded its
  deliberation with draft report speaking out
  against global certification.
• 2004 Program formally started and run by
  independent certification organization GISCI.

10
Ethics in GIS Profession

• Why do we need Ethics? (Frankel 1989)
• It enhances a professions reputation
• It serves as an enabling document
• Acts as a source of public evaluation
• Preserved establish professional biases
• Deters unethical behavior
• Provides support system for members
• Acts as a basis for adjudicating disputes

11
GIS Code of Ethics (URISA Journal Vol. 15 No.1
2003)

• I. Obligations to Society
• 1. Do the best work possible
• 2. Contribute to the community the extent
  possible, feasible and advisable
• 3. Speak out about issues
• II. Obligations to Employers Funders
• 1. Deliver quality work
• 2. Have a professional relationship
• 3. Be honest in representation

12
GIS Code of Ethics

• III. Obligation to Colleagues and the Profession
• 1. Respect the works of others
• 2. Contribute to the discipline
• IV. Obligation to Individuals in Society
• 1. Respect privacy
• 2. Respect individual

13
GIS Code of Ethics

• This code of ethics is intended to provide
  guidelines for GIS professionals. This will help
  the certified professional make suitable and
  ethical choices. It should provide the basis for
  evaluating their work and the works of others
  from a moral point of view. Individual not
  following this guidelines will be criticized by
  their professional colleagues. Following this
  code, GIS professional will help and enhance
  public trust in the discipline.

14
Conclusion

• This implementation of GIS certification and
  adoption of GIS Code of Ethics will provide the
  detailed and complete plan to define and evaluate
  the practice of profession in GIS. It will help
  not only the GIS Professional but also the
  individual or group of people who want to be the
  part of it.

15
Thank You!!!