All statisticians are expected to produce statistical outcomes of high quality and reliability. To ensure reliability in statistical performance and outcomes and to meet societal expectations, certain standards of conduct (SOC) must be established such that individual statisticians embrace their own principles and so that the community of statisticians as a whole functions with more self-control.
In 2008, the Biometric Society of Japan began revision of the code of conduct, and the working group drafted an SOC. This particular draft re.ected the opinions of statisticians and the basic concepts which aligned well with ethical guidelines of the American Statistical Association and the International Statistical Institute. As forced guidelines rarely result in full compliance and increased ethical conduct, the SOC offers a framework to encourage individual biostatisticians to establish and hold their own principles and to act responsibly with integrity.
The SOC comprises a preamble, mission statement, values, ten principles and background information. The draft SOC was approved by the Council of the Biometric Society of Japan in November 2013.
The SOC will help statisticians improve their capacity to perform sound statistical practices, improve the working environment, cultivate the next generation of statisticians with professionalism, and acquire societal trust.