University of Michigan-Flint

Faculty Name:  Judith Carlisle

Department:  Computer Science, Engineering and Physics

Campus Address:  214E Murchie Science Building

Email:  carlislj@umflint.edu

Phone:  810-762-3131

Project Description:  Who bears the responsibility for the assurance of software safety?  The most commonly cited code of ethics within the software development community is the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM)/Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)'s co-developed code of ethics.   This code places the responsibility of ethical software development squarely on the shoulders of the system developer.  The Department of Defense (DoD),however, expresses that management should actively participate in and lead safe software development practices:

Many companies have begun to provide training in issues of professional responsibility as it pertains to computer ethics.  Training topics may include issues computer and network security, appropriate use of company computer resources, ramifications of accepting gifts from (present and?) potential suppliers.     Ethical behavior with regard to these topics may seem straightforward and easy to delineate.  These programs have typically been instituted either in response to lawsuits within the company or lawsuits addressed at peer companies within a particular organization's business domains.  These training programs have not been directed at addressing ethical issues of actual product development, particularly software product development issues such as adequate software testing.  These topics may cause irresolvable ethical conflicts for organizational software engineers.

Software has become more pervasive in product development and much of the eventual behavior and value to the user of the product is actually provided by software.  This is a dramatic shift from past products where the actual hardware of the product provided the ultimate value to the user.   For example software is becoming an increasingly important feature provider to the end product in the automotive sector.  High-end Mercedes Benz' have over fifty microcontrollers, providing key functionality for the user.  Many of these microprocessors provide safety related or safety-critical functionality such as airbag control, anti-lock brake control, stability control, roll-over control, pre-crash braking, back-up warning aids, etc.  Increasing reliance on software to provide the basic value of the product has placed greater demands on the software engineers developing these products in terms of scope of content and time to market, which can sometimes result in potential tradeoffs being required related to software quality.  While this may result in a product of reduced pleasure of use to the end user, the results can often be significantly worse.

Deficiencies and setbacks in the software development process can lead to a dilemma for software developers where what the developer wants to do conflicts with what the developer must do.   The purpose of this research effort is to try to understand the awareness, consciousness, and comfort of the average software developer related to the ethical issues related to the development of their product.  Therefore, the first objective is to identify the awareness of the developers toward the ethical issues associated with safety-related product development.  Another objective is to identify the level of training made available to the developers by their companies related to ethics in product development.  Another objective concerns assessment of the software developers' comfort level with the actual testing process through which they put their product.  The final objective is to determine if developers are at ease with their level of ethical understanding of if they feel there is a need for these issues to be addressed. 

For this GSRA position, we are looking for a graduate student facile with statistical analysis.   Presently, the survey is being distributed.  This position would require the student to be able to participate in the collection, statistical coding, and analysis of the results.  The student would also play a vital role in the dissemination of outcome --- both with regard to paper writing and possible conference presentations.

Semesters Desired:  Fall 2011 AND Winter 2012

GSRA Position Description:  The GSRA would be involved in analysis aspect of the post survey process.  S/he and the professors will research and determine the best statistical analysis techniques to use to analyze the data.  The student will assist in the coding of data, actual running of tests, and can participate in discussion of testing results.

Specific Day/Time Requirements:  GSRA work would take place at times convenient to both student and faculty.  the position is more task motivated in that the tasks would have to be completed on a weekly basis, but actual times of attendance will be determined each semester.

Special Requirements:  good knowledge of statistics

Graduate Students in These Programs May Apply:  ANY Graduate Student; Business Administration (MBA); Computer Science and Information Systems (MS); Public Administration (MPA)