{"id":673,"date":"2025-07-08T17:28:26","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T17:28:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/?page_id=673"},"modified":"2025-08-25T19:02:49","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T19:02:49","slug":"ethics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/about-us\/ethics\/","title":{"rendered":"Ethics"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-673\" data-postid=\"673\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-673 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_ac9m787 tb_first tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_5jkv787 first\">\n                    <!-- Breadcrumbs module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-breadcrumbs tb_0999129 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t<nav role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"tbp_breadcrumb_trail\"><ul class=\"tbp_trail_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/BreadcrumbList\"><meta name=\"numberOfItems\" content=\"1\" \/><meta name=\"itemListOrder\" content=\"Ascending\" \/><li itemprop=\"itemListElement\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ListItem\" class=\"tbp_trail_item tbp_trail_end\"><a itemprop=\"item\" href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/\" rel=\"home\"><span itemprop=\"name\">Home<\/span><\/a><meta itemprop=\"position\" content=\"1\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><!-- \/Breadcrumbs module -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_x973878 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_4ijk879 first\">\n                    <!-- module fancy heading -->\n<div  class=\"module module-fancy-heading tb_62zy412 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <h1 class=\"fancy-heading\">\n    <span class=\"main-head tf_block\">\n                    Code of Ethics            <\/span>\n\n    \n    <span class=\"sub-head tf_block tf_rel\">\n                    Empowering Ethical Practice in Rural Research, Teaching, and Service            <\/span>\n    <\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module fancy heading -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_p2zr429 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_j9cm429 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_la73395   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p>The Rural Sociological Society\u2019s (RSS\u2019s) Ethics Committee created the Code of Ethics which sets forth the principles and ethical standards that underlie RSS members\u2019 professional responsibilities and conduct. These principles and standards should be used as guidelines when examining everyday professional activities. They constitute normative statements for RSS members and provide guidance on issues that RSS members may encounter in their professional work.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_gsyk723 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_gmno723 first\">\n                            <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_3 tb_b87i723\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col3-1 tb_7l35724 tb_gs593685 first\">\n                    <!-- module feature -->\n<div  class=\"module module-feature tb_dnph724 no-chart layout-icon-left size-small \" data-layout-mobile=\"icon-top\" data-layout-desktop=\"icon-left\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"module-feature-image tf_textc tf_rel\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/RSS-Code-of-Ethics.pdf\">\n                        <span class=\"module-feature-chart-html5 tf_box tf_rel tf_inline_b\" style=\"background-color:#f4f0e8\">\n                                <span class=\"chart-html5-circle tf_w tf_h\">\n                                            <em class=\"module-feature-icon tf_rel\" style=\"color:#2e5b3d\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-balance-scale\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-balance-scale\"><\/use><\/svg><\/em>\n                                    <\/span>\n\n                \n            <\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n    <div class=\"module-feature-content tf_textc\">\n                    <h3 class=\"module-feature-title\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/RSS-Code-of-Ethics.pdf\">Code of Ethics<\/a>\n                        <\/h3>\n                    <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <p>Access the full text of the Code of Ethics to review all standards and principles.<\/p>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module feature -->\n        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col3-1 tb_i57b724 tb_gs593685\">\n                    <!-- module feature -->\n<div  class=\"module module-feature tb_6jmr724 no-chart layout-icon-left size-small \" data-layout-mobile=\"icon-top\" data-layout-desktop=\"icon-left\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"module-feature-image tf_textc tf_rel\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/complaint-guidelines\/\">\n                        <span class=\"module-feature-chart-html5 tf_box tf_rel tf_inline_b\" style=\"background-color:#f4f0e8\">\n                                <span class=\"chart-html5-circle tf_w tf_h\">\n                                            <em class=\"module-feature-icon tf_rel\" style=\"color:#2e5b3d\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-clipboard-list\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-clipboard-list\"><\/use><\/svg><\/em>\n                                    <\/span>\n\n                \n            <\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n    <div class=\"module-feature-content tf_textc\">\n                    <h3 class=\"module-feature-title\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/complaint-guidelines\/\">Complaint Guidelines<\/a>\n                        <\/h3>\n                    <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <p>Steps outlined in our guidelines to ensure a fair and confidential review process.<\/p>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module feature -->\n        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col3-1 tb_jw13724 tb_gs593685 last\">\n                    <!-- module feature -->\n<div  class=\"module module-feature tb_fhyd724 no-chart layout-icon-left size-small \" data-layout-mobile=\"icon-top\" data-layout-desktop=\"icon-left\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"module-feature-image tf_textc tf_rel\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/complaint-filing\/\">\n                        <span class=\"module-feature-chart-html5 tf_box tf_rel tf_inline_b\" style=\"background-color:#f4f0e8\">\n                                <span class=\"chart-html5-circle tf_w tf_h\">\n                                            <em class=\"module-feature-icon tf_rel\" style=\"color:#2e5b3d\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-file-lines\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-file-lines\"><\/use><\/svg><\/em>\n                                    <\/span>\n\n                \n            <\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n    <div class=\"module-feature-content tf_textc\">\n                    <h3 class=\"module-feature-title\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/complaint-filing\/\">File a Complaint<\/a>\n                        <\/h3>\n                    <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <p>Submit a formal complaint for review by the Ethics Committee.<\/p>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module feature -->\n        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_gs591685 tb_d2jd515 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_3bfi515 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_fct2850   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Reporting Ethics Violations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To report an incident of harassment or violation of ethics to the RSS Ethics Committee, contact any member of the Ethics Committee using either the complaint form provided below or by sharing relevant information about the ethics violation. Committee members are listed below. The Ethics Committee is dedicated to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of any member who submits a report.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_4q70281 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_dxyh282 first\">\n                    <!-- module plain text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-plain-text tb_6i94244 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <h2 style=\"margin-top: 2em;\">Ethics Committee<\/h2>\n<div class=\"table-responsive\">\n  <table class=\"table table-striped table-bordered\">\n    <thead class=\"table-dark\">\n      <tr>\n        <th>Name<\/th>\n        <th>Role<\/th>\n        <th>Term<\/th>\n        <th>Email<\/th>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/thead>\n    <tbody>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Andy Smolski<\/td>\n        <td>Chair<\/td>\n        <td>2024\u20132026<\/td>\n        <td><a href=\"mailto:ars7770@psu.edu\"><i class=\"fas fa-envelope\"><\/i> ars7770@psu.edu<\/a><\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Leland Glenna<\/td>\n        <td>Chair-Elect<\/td>\n        <td>2025\u20132028<\/td>\n        <td><a href=\"mailto:llg13@psu.edu\"><i class=\"fas fa-envelope\"><\/i> llg13@psu.edu<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t  <tr>\n        <td>Amanda Crump<\/td>\n        <td>Past Chair<\/td>\n        <td>2025\u20132026<\/td>\n        <td><a href=\"mailto:acrump@ucdavis.edu\"><i class=\"fas fa-envelope\"><\/i> acrump@ucdavis.edu<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t  <tr>\n        <td>Kristi Lekies<\/td>\n        <td>Appointed<\/td>\n        <td>2025\u20132026<\/td>\n        <td><a href=\"mailto:lekies.1@osu.edu\"><i class=\"fas fa-envelope\"><\/i> lekies.1@osu.edu<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t  <tr>\n        <td>Alex Theophilus<\/td>\n        <td>Student Appointed<\/td>\n        <td>2024\u20132026<\/td>\n        <td><a href=\"mailto:a.theophilus@usu.edu\"><i class=\"fas fa-envelope\"><\/i> a.theophilus@usu.edu<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t  \n      <\/tr>\n\t\t<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>  \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module plain text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Code of EthicsEmpowering Ethical Practice in Rural Research, Teaching, and Service The Rural Sociological Society\u2019s (RSS\u2019s) Ethics Committee created the Code of Ethics which sets forth the principles and ethical standards that underlie RSS members\u2019 professional responsibilities and conduct. These principles and standards should be used as guidelines when examining everyday professional activities. They constitute normative statements for RSS members and provide guidance on issues that RSS members may encounter in their professional work. Code of Ethics Access the full text of the Code of Ethics to review all standards and principles. Complaint Guidelines Steps outlined in our guidelines to ensure a fair and confidential review process. File a Complaint Submit a formal complaint for review by the Ethics Committee. Reporting Ethics Violations To report an incident of harassment or violation of ethics to the RSS Ethics Committee, contact any member of the Ethics Committee using either the complaint form provided below or by sharing relevant information about the ethics violation. Committee members are listed below. The Ethics Committee is dedicated to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of any member who submits a report. Ethics Committee Name Role Term Email Andy Smolski Chair 2024\u20132026 ars7770@psu.edu Leland Glenna Chair-Elect 2025\u20132028 llg13@psu.edu [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":48,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-673","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/673","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=673"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/673\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3881,"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/673\/revisions\/3881"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/48"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=673"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}