Ethics in Engineering Design

Description: This quiz covers the ethical considerations that engineers must take into account when designing products and systems.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: engineering ethics product design systems engineering
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Which of the following is NOT a fundamental ethical principle in engineering design?

  1. Safety

  2. Reliability

  3. Cost-effectiveness

  4. Sustainability


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Cost-effectiveness is not a fundamental ethical principle in engineering design because it does not directly relate to the safety, reliability, or sustainability of the product or system.

What is the primary responsibility of an engineer in the context of ethics?

  1. To protect the public

  2. To maximize profits

  3. To meet the demands of the client

  4. To advance the state of technology


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The primary responsibility of an engineer is to protect the public by ensuring that their designs are safe and reliable.

Which of the following is NOT a potential ethical concern in engineering design?

  1. Using materials that are harmful to the environment

  2. Designing products that are difficult to repair or recycle

  3. Failing to consider the safety of the end user

  4. Using design techniques that are not well-established


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Using design techniques that are not well-established is not a potential ethical concern in engineering design because it does not directly relate to the safety, reliability, or sustainability of the product or system.

What is the term for the process of identifying and evaluating the ethical implications of a design decision?

  1. Ethical analysis

  2. Risk assessment

  3. Cost-benefit analysis

  4. Environmental impact assessment


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Ethical analysis is the process of identifying and evaluating the ethical implications of a design decision.

Which of the following is NOT a stakeholder in the context of engineering design?

  1. The end user

  2. The client

  3. The engineer

  4. The government


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The government is not a stakeholder in the context of engineering design because they are not directly involved in the design process.

What is the term for the principle that engineers should strive to minimize the negative impacts of their designs on the environment?

  1. Sustainability

  2. Environmental stewardship

  3. Green engineering

  4. Life cycle assessment


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Sustainability is the principle that engineers should strive to minimize the negative impacts of their designs on the environment.

Which of the following is NOT a potential ethical concern in the context of engineering design for sustainability?

  1. Using materials that are difficult to recycle

  2. Designing products that have a short lifespan

  3. Using energy-efficient design techniques

  4. Using renewable resources


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Using renewable resources is not a potential ethical concern in the context of engineering design for sustainability because it is a positive step towards reducing the environmental impact of the product or system.

What is the term for the principle that engineers should consider the safety of the end user when designing products and systems?

  1. Safety engineering

  2. Human factors engineering

  3. Ergonomics

  4. Risk assessment


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Human factors engineering is the principle that engineers should consider the safety of the end user when designing products and systems.

Which of the following is NOT a potential ethical concern in the context of engineering design for safety?

  1. Failing to consider the potential for human error

  2. Designing products that are difficult to use

  3. Using materials that are known to be hazardous

  4. Designing products that are not crashworthy


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Designing products that are not crashworthy is not a potential ethical concern in the context of engineering design for safety because it is a positive step towards reducing the risk of injury or death in the event of an accident.

What is the term for the principle that engineers should strive to design products and systems that are reliable and durable?

  1. Reliability engineering

  2. Quality engineering

  3. Robust design

  4. Fault tolerance


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Reliability engineering is the principle that engineers should strive to design products and systems that are reliable and durable.

Which of the following is NOT a potential ethical concern in the context of engineering design for reliability?

  1. Using materials that are known to be unreliable

  2. Designing products that are difficult to maintain

  3. Failing to consider the potential for wear and tear

  4. Designing products that are not fault-tolerant


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Designing products that are not fault-tolerant is not a potential ethical concern in the context of engineering design for reliability because it is a positive step towards reducing the risk of failure.

What is the term for the principle that engineers should strive to design products and systems that are cost-effective?

  1. Value engineering

  2. Life cycle costing

  3. Cost-benefit analysis

  4. Economic analysis


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Value engineering is the principle that engineers should strive to design products and systems that are cost-effective.

Which of the following is NOT a potential ethical concern in the context of engineering design for cost-effectiveness?

  1. Using materials that are known to be expensive

  2. Designing products that are difficult to manufacture

  3. Failing to consider the potential for cost overruns

  4. Designing products that are not durable


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Designing products that are not durable is not a potential ethical concern in the context of engineering design for cost-effectiveness because it is a positive step towards reducing the long-term cost of ownership.

What is the term for the principle that engineers should strive to design products and systems that are easy to use and maintain?

  1. Human factors engineering

  2. Ergonomics

  3. Usability engineering

  4. Maintainability engineering


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Usability engineering is the principle that engineers should strive to design products and systems that are easy to use and maintain.

Which of the following is NOT a potential ethical concern in the context of engineering design for usability?

  1. Designing products that are difficult to understand

  2. Designing products that are difficult to operate

  3. Designing products that are difficult to maintain

  4. Designing products that are not accessible to people with disabilities


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Designing products that are not accessible to people with disabilities is not a potential ethical concern in the context of engineering design for usability because it is a positive step towards ensuring that everyone can use the product or system.

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