Abstract

A sample survey of members of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (AERE) found relatively low rates of obvious ethical misconduct, such as data fabrication and falsification, and higher rates of dubious behaviors, such as deliberate overstatement of positive and understatement of negative results. AERE members reported that job-related pressures-including competition with peers, pressure due to professional implication and on-the-job pressure-were the most important causes. The most effective preventive measures, according to respondents, were discussion of ethics in existing classes, codes of ethics, and short courses at professional meetings. The vast majority of AERE members were against government audits and regulations.