Question

Look at the attached Excel file which contains two column charts identifying data for a company: Week 1 Discussion Topic 2 Ethics.xls. Notice that the data is depicted differently, however, the data presented is really the same. Is it ethical to present data in a different way in order to make the data appear more favorable? Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

Presentation of data in any particular way that attracts the attention of the audience is not unethical provided there is no manipulation of data. Thus, the order can be chosen by the presenter of data as to make it more favourable and there is nothing wrong in it as long as the data are authentic and does not intend to deceive the audience. An organization or entity would always like to show it in favourable situation and it is absolutely understandable. Thus, presentation of data in a particular order to make it more favourable for the organization is allowed provided the data is authentic and has not been manipulated to paint a particular picture for the organization and supressing a particular aspect of the organization. Thus, there is nothing unethical about providing all positive data about an entity at the beginning and then to come to the negative points and accordingly, provide data about the same at the end.

Thus, from the above it is clear that presentation of data in a particular order is not unethical provided data has not been manipulated to show a particular picture for an entity.