Hide that data, lady

Dear Real Estate Ethicist,

I do research for a trade group that studies real estate market information. One report I compile is on foreclosure data. This month, when my boss saw the numbers were going up, he said let’s “deep six” this month’s report.

Wow, did this make me mad. I pride myself on transparency in data and research. –Disclosure Depressed

Dear Disclosure Depressed,

I assume you knew what you were getting into when you went to work for an industry-funded trade group. I think the group may have done a disservice to its members when it censored your data, but otherwise they can do what they want.

If you want something more pure, go to work for a university or a government agency.

But hold onto your hat; they too will make compromises that will rub your sense of data fairness the wrong way. –Real Estate Ethicist