Professional Practices Exam 1 review

Moore's Law

the observation that the number of transistors in an integrated circuit doubles about every two years, leading to exponential increases in computer speed and capability.

Microchip

has far-reaching economic, social, and political consequences, similar in impact to the printing press, because it enables rapid technological advancement and widespread digital transformation.

Computerized Devices

Examples include automobiles, TVs, clocks, watches, phones, cash registers, cameras, and ovens.

Cell Phones

Positives: global communication, access to information, convenience. Negatives: privacy concerns, distraction (especially while driving), and potential for misuse (e.g., sexting, organizing illegal activities).

Kill Switch

allows a remote entity to disable applications or delete files on a device, mainly for security, but it raises concerns about user autonomy and potential misuse.

Social Networking

enables easy sharing of personal and professional information, organizing groups, and connecting globally, but also introduces risks like cyberbullying, privacy loss, and misinformation.

E-commerce

allows direct sales between buyers and sellers, reduces overhead, enables comparison shopping, and supports a peer-to-peer economy, but also raises trust and privacy concerns.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

branch of computer science focused on making computers perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as pattern recognition, speech recognition, and decision-making.

Turing Test

evaluates a machine's ability to exhibit intelligent behavior indistinguishable from a human.

Robots and Smart Sensors

Robots perform tasks in hazardous environments, assist in disaster recovery, and help people with disabilities. Smart sensors collect data for motion, temperature, and position, enabling automation and assistive technologies.

Ethics

the study of what it means to do the right thing, focusing on rules and principles that guide our actions and interactions with others.

Deontological Theories

associated with Kant, emphasize duty and absolute rules (e.g., 'do not lie'), regardless of consequences.

Utilitarianism

the ethical theory that an act is right if it increases overall happiness or utility for all affected people.

Natural Rights

fundamental rights such as life, liberty, and property, which imply ethical rules against killing, stealing, deception, and coercion.

Negative and Positive Rights

Negative rights (liberties) are freedoms from interference (e.g., freedom of speech), while positive rights (claim-rights) are entitlements to certain things (e.g., the right to a job), often requiring others to provide them.

Golden Rule

the principle of treating others as you would want to be treated.

Social Contract

the idea that people willingly submit to common laws to live in a civil society, ensuring basic liberties and fairness.

Organizational Ethics

Some argue organizations can be moral entities if they act intentionally and have formal decision structures, but individuals within organizations are ultimately responsible for actions.

Ethical Acts

Acts can be ethically obligatory, prohibited, or acceptable. Not all harm is unethical; some ethical acts may disadvantage others.

Laws and Ethics

Some laws enforce ethical rules, others set conventions. Not all legal acts are ethical, and not all ethical acts are legal. Ethics fills gaps where laws are unclear or lag behind technology.

Importance of Ethics for Companies

Ethical conduct builds reputation, attracts employees and customers, reduces legal risks, and creates a positive work environment.

Ethical conduct

Builds reputation, attracts employees and customers, reduces legal risks, and creates a positive work environment.

Ethical lapses

Can lead to fines, loss of business, and damaged reputation.

Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index

Ranks countries by perceived levels of public sector corruption, helping assess risks when doing business internationally.

Key steps for promoting ethics in organizations

Establish a code of conduct, provide training, communicate regularly, offer reporting channels, enforce rules, and reward ethical behavior.

Business communication

The process of transferring information and meaning between senders and receivers using written, oral, visual, or electronic channels.

Internal audiences

Are within the organization (e.g., employees).

External audiences

Include customers, suppliers, investors, and the public.

Five characteristics of effective business communication

Practical, factual, concise, clear, and persuasive.

Eight phases of the communication process

1) Sender has an idea, 2) Encodes the idea, 3) Produces the message, 4) Transmits the message, 5) Audience receives the message, 6) Audience decodes the message, 7) Audience responds, 8) Audience sends feedback.

Ethical communication

Includes all relevant information, is true, and is not deceptive.

Examples of unethical communication

Plagiarism, selective misquoting, misrepresenting numbers, and distorting visuals.

Ethical dilemma vs. ethical lapse

An ethical dilemma involves choosing between conflicting but valid alternatives; an ethical lapse is a clear violation of ethical standards.

Audience-centered approach

Focusing on the needs, values, and expectations of the audience to communicate effectively and respectfully.

Cultural pluralism

Accepting and respecting multiple cultures on their own terms, avoiding assumptions and judgments.

Tips for intercultural communication

Assume differences, withhold judgment, show respect, tolerate ambiguity, look beyond the surface, recognize biases, and adapt communication style.

Constructive feedback

Feedback that focuses on improving processes and outcomes, not criticizing individuals.

Three principles of workplace etiquette

Respect, courtesy, and common sense.

Technology in communication

Should be used as a tool to aid, not replace, interpersonal communication.

Main sections of a report or proposal

Introduction, body, and close.

Introduction of a report

Should include context, subject/purpose, main ideas preview, and tone/relationship with the audience.

Body of a report

Includes explanations of the problem/opportunity, facts and evidence, results of studies, analysis of actions, advantages/disadvantages, procedures, methods, criteria, and support for conclusions.

Purpose of the closing section

To emphasize main points, summarize benefits, refer back to the structure, and outline action items.

Characteristics of effective report content

Accuracy, completeness, balance, clarity, logic, and proper documentation.

Key elements of a proposal introduction

Background/problem statement, proposed solution, scope, and organization.

Body of a proposal

Includes proposed approach, work plan, qualifications, and detailed cost breakdown.

Purpose of the proposal conclusion

To summarize key points, emphasize benefits, restate merits, and request a decision.

Guidelines for drafting effective online content

Build trust, adapt for global audiences, use reader-oriented content, present information concisely, and compose effective links.

Elements that help readers navigate long reports

Headings, transitions, and previews/reviews.

Headings, transitions, and previews/reviews.

Six principles of graphic design for visuals

Consistency, contrast, balance, emphasis, convention, and simplicity.

Three steps for integrating visuals and text

Position visuals near relevant text, refer to visuals by number, and write effective titles/captions/legends.

Difference between a synopsis and an executive summary

A synopsis or abstract is a brief overview of key points, while an executive summary is a fully developed mini-version of the report.

Four tasks in completing business reports and proposals

Revise, produce, proofread, and distribute.

Visual literacy

The ability to create and interpret visual messages effectively.

Main types of visuals and their uses

• Tables: Present detailed data in rows and columns. Line charts: Show trends over time. Surface (area) charts: Show cumulative totals over time. Bar charts: Compare sizes or changes in items. Pie charts: Show parts of a whole as percentages. Flowcharts: Illustrate processes or sequences. Organization charts: Show relationships in organizations. Maps: Show locations or routes. Drawings/diagrams: Explain concepts or procedures. Photographs: Show exact appearances. Animation/video: Provide dynamic visual explanations.

Guidelines for preparing tables

Use common units, round numbers, label headings clearly, separate rows/columns, limit information, and document sources.

Best practices for bar and pie charts

Keep bar widths consistent, space bars evenly, use logical order, limit pie slices, emphasize important segments, and label all parts with values.

Data visualization

Advanced graphical displays that can show large, complex, or dynamic data sets, such as tag clouds or 3D maps.

Benefits of using templates for visuals

Ensure consistency, save time, and promote better design across documents.

Integration of visuals with text

Place visuals near relevant text, refer to them clearly, and use descriptive titles and captions.

Three main parts of a formal report

Prefatory parts, text (introduction, body, close), and supplementary parts.

Common prefatory parts

Cover, title fly, title page, letter of authorization, letter of transmittal, table of contents, list of illustrations, synopsis/abstract, and executive summary.

Supplementary parts

Appendixes, bibliography, and index.

Purpose of proofreading and distribution

To ensure accuracy, completeness, and proper presentation before delivering the document to the intended audience, either physically or electronically (preferably as a PDF for security and consistency).

First Amendment

protects freedom of speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Main types of communication media and their legal protections

Print media have the strongest First Amendment protection; broadcast media are regulated by the government; common carriers (e.g., phones) must provide service to all; the Internet is increasingly treated like print media in terms of protection.

Communications Decency Act (CDA) of 1996

the first major Internet censorship law, but its main parts were ruled unconstitutional for being too broad and vague.

Child Online Protection Act (COPA)

made it a federal crime for commercial websites to make harmful material available to minors, but it was also found unconstitutional for being too broad.

Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

requires schools and libraries receiving certain federal funds to install filtering software, and it was upheld in court.

'Least restrictive means' principle

Laws restricting speech must use the least restrictive means possible to achieve their goals, to avoid unnecessarily limiting free expression.

Legal status of child pornography

Production, possession, and distribution of child pornography are illegal, with harsh penalties, even for virtual or computer-generated images in some cases.

'Sexting' and its legal implications

sending sexually explicit images or texts, often by minors. If the subject is under 18, it can be prosecuted as child pornography, though some states have reduced penalties for minors.