Assessment Task: Moral Reasoning.
Type: Essay
Due Date: 14/5/22.
Word Limit: 1500 words(+-100) including in text references not counting the reference list.
Submission: Turnitin match should be less than 15%.
Reference: Must provide in text reference and also reference list with correct APA 7th
edition. Accepted references will be book, peer reviewed journal article, book section. For website it must have a government website not the others.
Unit outcomes assessed:
1. Understand and differentiate between various theories of ethics.
2. Apply the theories of ethics within a range of cultural and professional contexts.
3. Recognise the ethical dimension in contemporary professional and social issues, and propose solutions that demonstrate academic and professional integrity.
Task Description:
Students are to research moral reasoning and ethical theories and apply this to resolving an ethical dilemma.
Step 1: Research the factors that impact moral reasoning and review ethical decision-making models.
Step 2: Select either a minimum of THREE (3) ethical theories (It is recommended that these include utilitarianism and Kantianism) or the four healthcare ethical principles. Compare and contrast these theories and principles in terms of rules, values, and perspectives.
Step 3: Describe an ethical dilemma related to a professional context. Consider how this dilemma can best be resolved using an ethical decision-making model and the application of ethical theories or healthcare ethical principles.
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
• Write an introduction which describes what moral reasoning is and what role it plays in everyday life; identify either a minimum of THREE (3) ethical theories or the four healthcare ethical principles and state the purpose of the essay (10 Marks).
• Use academic sources to identify the factors that affect moral reasoning and the role that ethical analysis plays; describe the key elements of the three ethical theories or the four healthcare ethical principles you have chosen and compare their perspectives; identify the strengths and limitations of each (30 Marks).
• Use academic sources to describe an ethical dilemma in the professional workplace and explain what moral values are in conflict; identify an appropriate ethical decision-making model; state the facts, stakeholders, legal constraints and other relevant considerations; explain the decision-making process used to resolve the dilemma; justify the decision using the ethical theories or the healthcare principles (40 Marks).
• Write a conclusion that summarizes the complexity of moral reasoning and the difficulty of making the right ethical decision (10 Marks).
• Format and reference correctly using APA (7th edition) (10 Marks).
Marking Rubric:
INTRODUCTION
: Addresses all key elements using peerreviewed or primary sources:
-Defines what moral reasoning is
-States either the three (minimum) ethical theories or the four healthcare principles the essay will be exploring
- States the purpose of the essay
-Describe the importance of moral reasoning in professional situations
-Provides relevant examples of poor moral reasoning
-Explains the complex nature of moral reasoning
-Justifies the importance of moral reasoning in professional situations
-Uses at least FOUR (4) peer-reviewed articles
(10 marks)
ETHICAL THEORIES:
Addresses all key elements using peerreviewed or primary sources:
- Describes the key elements and perspectives of each ethical theory (minimum three) or the four healthcare principles
-Compares and contrasts the different theories or healthcare principles
-Provides the historical context for all the selected ethical theories or healthcare principles
-Provides examples to illustrate all the selected ethical theories or healthcare principles in action
-Identifies the strengths and limitation of each theory or healthcare principle
- Explains the role played by emotion and intuition in moral reasoning
-Critically evaluates the limitations of ethical theories or healthcare principles in real world decision-making
-Uses at least FOUR (4) peer-reviewed articles to support evaluation
(30 marks)
ETHICAL DECISION MAKING:
Addresses all key elements using peerreviewed or primary sources:
-Defines what an ethical dilemma is
-Provides brief description of the selected dilemma
-Applies an ethical decision-making model to resolve the dilemma
-States what moral values are in conflict in the selected dilemma
-Compares and evaluates the legal, personal and situational factors relevant to the dilemma
-Explains and provides relevant examples of cognitive biases in relation to the selected dilemma
-Critically evaluates the strengths and limitations of ethical decision-making models
-Uses at least FOUR (4) peer-reviewed articles to support ethical decision making
(40 marks)
CONCLUSION:
Addresses all key elements using peer reviewed or primary sources:
-Summarises the key elements of effective moral reasoning
-Summarises the relevance of ethical theories or healthcare principles
-Summarises the benefits or drawbacks of the selected ethical decision-making
-Summarises the conflicting roles played by intuition, feelings and reason in ethical decision making
-Justifies the importance of ethics in professional training
-Uses at least FOUR (4) peer-reviewed articles to support conclusion
(10 marks)
References:
Addresses all key elements using peer reviewed or primary sources:
- Addresses correct APA style in-text referencing technique
- All in-text references included in the reference list
- Reference list with correct APA style
- Consistently correct APA style in-text referencing technique
- Reference list in alphabetical order
- Reference list with hanging indent and single spaced.