Ethics Case StudyFor this assessment task students are required to read and critically evaluate a case study that deals with a complex ethical scenario. Students will be required to write a report applying the case study analysis technique of reading the case study carefully, identifying the key facts presented, read the questions set, and understand what is being asked in each one. And finally, apply the ethical concepts and theoretical models to the questions being asked. Case study reports should be between 1000
CASE STUDY Software testing A small software company is working on an integrated inventory control system for a very large national shoe manufacturer. The system will gather sales information daily from shoe stores nationwide. This information will be used by the accounting, shipping, and ordering departments to control all of the functions of this large corporation. The inventory functions are critical to the smooth operation of the system. Jane, a quality assurance engineer with the software company, suspects that the inventory functions of the system are not sufficiently tested, although they have passed all their contracted tests. She is pressured by her employers to sign off on the software. Legally she is only required to perform those tests which have been agree to in the original contract. However, her considerable experience in software testing has led her to be concerned over risks of the system. Her employers say that they will go out of business if they do not deliver the software on time. Jane contends if the Inventory sub-system fails, it will significantly harm their client and its employees. If the potential failure were to threaten lives, it would be clear to Jane that she should refuse to sign off. But since the degree of threatened harm is less, Jane is faced with a difficult moral decision (ACS, 2004). Ethical dilemma Should Jane sign off on the software? Reference ACS. (2004). Case studies and their clauses in the code. http://www.acs.org.au/publication/docs/ACS_CaseStudiesFinal.pdf http://www.acs.org.au/publication/docs/ACS_CaseStudiesFinal.pdf Sally Firmin 1 14/01/21 02 itech 7400 ethics case study requirements 2021-07.docx Assessment Task 2 ITECH 7400 IT Service Management & Professional Culture Name Ethics Case Study Purpose The purpose of the ethics case study is to apply critical reasoning and decision-making skills, to solve a complex ethical problem in a professional practice learning setting. Timelines and Expectations Percentage Value of Task: 10% (35 marks). Due: Week 4 – Sunday 18, April 2021, 11:59 pm. Minimum time expectation: This task will take approximately 10 hours to complete. Learning Outcomes Assessed The following learning outcomes are assessed by completing this assessment: K1-K6, S1-S4, A1-A3. Assessment Details Background A case study analyses a real-life situation where existing problems need to be solved. It should relate the theory to a practical situation; for example, apply the ideas and knowledge discussed in the coursework to the practical situation at hand in the case study. Researchers describe how case studies examine complex phenomena in the natural setting to increase understanding of them (Heale & Twycross, 2018). For assistance and examples in answering case studies, see: https://students.flinders.edu.au/content/dam/student/slc/case-studies.pdf https://students.flinders.edu.au/content/dam/student/slc/case-studies.pdf Sally Firmin 2 14/01/21 02 itech 7400 ethics case study requirements 2021-07.docx Requirements This is an individual task. For this assessment task students are required to read and critically evaluate a case study which deals with a complex ethical scenario. Students will be required write a report applying the case study analysis technique of reading the case study carefully, identifying the key facts presented, read the questions set and understand what is being asked in each one. And finally apply the ethical concepts and theoretical models to the questions being asked. Case study reports should be between 1000 to 1200 words in length and take approximately 10 hours to write. Students will be required to complete this task outside timetabled classes. An electronic copy of an ethical case study is available in Moodle. Students should provide an outline of the appropriate theories and answer any two (2) of the following questions in relation to the case study: 1. Apply the consequence based (utilitarian) ethical theory to this case and provide an answer to the ethical question raised. Distinguish between act and rule utilitarianism. 2. Apply the duty-based (deontology) ethical theory to this case and provide an answer to the ethical question raised. Distinguish between rule and act deontology. 3. Apply the contract-based (rights) ethical theory to this case and provide an answer to the ethical question raised. Distinguish between moral and legal contracts. 4. Apply the character-based (virtue) ethical theory to this case and provide an answer to the ethical question raised. Select any two (2) appropriate virtues. 5. Choose any two (2) elements of the ACS's code of ethics that you think are relevant to this case and provide an answer to the ethical question raised. Explain why you think the selected elements are relevant. A suggested case study report structure is as follows. Title page Executive summary Table of contents 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Case Study Report for: [insert case study name] 2.1 Question [#] 2.1.1 Overview of theory 2.1.2 Analysis and solution 2.2 Question [#] 2.2.1 Overview of theory 2.2.2 Analysis and solution 3.0 Conclusion 4.0 References 5.0 Appendices [optional] The introduction section of the report should provide context and background on the ethical issue. It should clearly indicate the dilemma being discussed and provide an overview of how you intend to address the problem and proposed solution(s). The body section of the report should contain a section for each question selected (see report structure above). Each section should contain a brief overview of the appropriate ethical theory, an analysis and proposed solution to the ethical dilemma. The discussion should show an Sally Firmin 3 14/01/21 02 itech 7400 ethics case study requirements 2021-07.docx analysis and synthesis of research undertaken and your own ideas. The reference list must contain authentic academic literature (6–10 references). Gather these references from various sources such as assigned text-books and readings, journal articles etc. For assistance with in- text referencing and formatting your reference list in APA format see FedCite. The conclusion section of the report should draw together all the ideas that have been presented and validated. The detail should arise clearly from the analysis given in the body of the report. It should explain why one conclusion is preferred to another and offer recommendations. No new data or ideas should be introduced. A quality report will contain all components including executive summary, introduction, and conclusion consistent with instructions outlined in writing guide. It will demonstrate a synthesis of content, knowledge, skills, and ideas acquired from lectures, tutorials and academic authors. Academic presentation will show compliance with length, writing free or typographical and grammar errors and presentation consistent with layout and appearance guidelines. The reference list will contain maximum number of references and be APA compliant as outlined in FedCite. Academic Presentation Assessments should be presented in accordance with: • Helpsheets: https://studyskills.federation.edu.au/student-skills/helpsheets/ • Writing guides: https://studyskills.federation.edu.au/assessment/written-tasks/ • Layout and appearance: https://studyskills.federation.edu.au/student-skills/writing/layout-and- appearance/ Referencing Reference lists and in-text references should be presented in APA format: • See FedCite – referencing tool: https://federation.edu.au/library/student-resources/fedcite Submission Submit an electronic copy of your report via Moodle (in .docx format), name your report using the following format: coursecode_assessmentnumber_yourname_studentID.docx Feedback This assessment will be marked by the course coordinator, lecturer and/or tutors. Feedback and marks will be provided individually in Moodle. Marks will also be available in FDL Marks. Plagiarism Plagiarism is the presentation of the expressed thought or work of another person as though it is one's own without properly acknowledging that person. You must not allow other students to copy https://studyskills.federation.edu.au/student-skills/helpsheets/ https://studyskills.federation.edu.au/assessment/written-tasks/ https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/wmryCXLWxJFOvjBNfVFUsK?domain=studyskills.federation.edu.au/ https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/wmryCXLWxJFOvjBNfVFUsK?domain=studyskills.federation.edu.au/ https://federation.edu.au/library/student-resources/fedcite Sally Firmin 4 14/01/21 02 itech 7400 ethics case study requirements 2021-07.docx your work and must take care to safeguard against this happening. More information about the plagiarism policy and procedure for the university can be found at: http://federation.edu.au/students/learning-and-study/online-help-with/plagiarism Please refer to the Course Description for information regarding late assignments, extensions, and special consideration. A reminder all academic regulations can be accessed via the university’s website, see: http://federation.edu.au/staff/governance/legal/feduni-legislation Marking Criteria/Rubric Assessment Criteria Marking Scale Poor Excellent 1 5 Report components 0 First question – overview of theory 0 – analysis and solution 0 Second question – overview of theory 0 – analysis and solution 0 Academic presentation 0 Evidence of research 0 Total Mark [35 marks] 0.0 Total Worth [10%] 0.0 D – http://federation.edu.au/students/learning-and-study/online-help-with/plagiarism http://federation.edu.au/staff/governance/legal/feduni-legislation Sally Firmin 1 12/02/21 tips on case study analysis.docx Tips on Case Study Analysis The aim of this short handout is to provide some basic information to help students understand case analysis. What is it? There are many definitions of what a case study is. The one offered below by Mort, Cross and Downey (2002) is a good summary: A case study is an account of an activity, event or problem that contains a real or hypothetical situation and includes the complexities you would encounter in the workplace. Case studies are used to help you see how the complexities of real-life influence decisions. In the eyes of many students there is often some mystique surrounding case studies. They can find them daunting and difficult. This may be because case studies often attempt to capture the complexities of real-life situations – they appear complex and difficult only to the extent that real life working situations are. Why? Case studies are analysed for a number of reasons: • creating an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge about management in a practical situation; • developing skills in diagnosing problems, evaluating alternatives and preparing workable plans of action; • developing skills in working out solutions to organisational problems; and • increased exposure to a range of different firms, managerial situations and organisational issues (Neupert & Fry, 1996). Case study analysis provides the mechanism by which the skill of applying theoretical models to work based situations can be developed. Analysing cases will serve to expand your experience beyond a work or life situation and may expose you to new ways of looking at old problems. After working through a problem in a totally different and unrelated context you may be able to look at your own situation with “new eyes”. How?