Perhaps Sieber still states it best:
A code of ethics specifically for program evaluators ... would be a minimum standard;
it would only state what the profession expects of every evaluator in the way
of honesty, competence, and decency in relation to those ethical problems that are
clearly defined at present.
In contrast, being ethical is a broad, evolving personal process .... Ethical
problems in program evaluation are problems having to do with unanticipated
conflicts of obligation and interest and with unintended harmful side effects of
evaluation. To be ethical is to evolve an ability to anticipate and circumvent such
problems. It is an acquired ability .... As one undertakes new and different kinds
of evaluation and as society changes, one’s ability to be ethical must grow to meet
new challenges. Thus, being ethical in program evaluation is a process of growth
in understanding, perception, and creative problem” solving ability that respects the
interests of individuals and of society. ( 1980, p. 5 3)