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Analysis of an Ethical Scenario or Case Study

Case Study

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A “case study or [analysis of an] ethical scenario, [is] a short narrative of one or more events that involve one or more ethical issues. The intent is that a student reading such a scenario is expected to analyze the participants' actions and arrive at a judgement concerning their ethical nature” (Liffick 1995)

In essence the student is performing a critical analysis however with a different twist that your more traditional methods. The Student needs to be organised and an outline will be prepared. The outline will help them to deconstruct the scenario and then allow then to write an essay. Identifying the stakeholders, asking ethical and social questions of their actions or , then answering these questions are central to a critical analysis.

Use methodology below as a guide. There is a Case/News template that will help you.

A. List the all stakeholders and their actions.

B. Shorten the list (if possible) by simplifying assumptions.

C. Ask and answer the IBO’s (2006) following key questions that pertain to the scenario.

Social issues

"The analysis of social issues can be guided by answering the following key questions.

1. What are the social issues associated with a particular IT development?
2. How did the IT development emerge?
3. Who are the stakeholders—individuals, institutions, societies who initiate and control the IT developments and are affected by them?
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages for the stakeholders?
5. What feasible solutions can be applied to overcome problems?
6. What is the social impact of the IT development on human life? This may include some or all of the following areas: economic, political, cultural, legal, environmental, ergonomic, health and psychological.
7. What are the social impacts on local and global communities?' (IBO 2006)

Ethical issues

The analysis of ethical issues can be guided by answering the following key questions from the IB syllabus.

1. "What are the ethical issues associated with a particular IT development?
2. Who is responsible?
3. Who is accountable?
4. What policies, rules or laws apply to the situation?
5. What are the alternative ethical decisions?
6. What are the consequences of these decisions?" (IBO 2006)

D. Identify the relative IT systems

Now compose your essay. Be sure to follow the format of: Introduction, Body and Conclusion. Try not fall into the trap of writing your essay by moving down the above key questions and points until you reach the end.

IT News Presentation

1. Subscribe to at least three online reliable news sources, i.e. The Australian IT, BBC technology email, etc.
2. Find an article related to the impact area being studied (unless otherwise stated), cut it out or print it out.
3. Identify the issue/s mentioned and how it is related to the impact area of study. Annotate and/or highlight your article indicating relevance to the course, social and ethical issues and IT systems in context.
4. You will present the IT news article to the class. Be sure to summarise it and then explain point 3.
5. Collate the articles into a portfolio in a display book.
6. The presentation and the portfolio of articles will be graded.

• Use the Case/News template as a guide to help, especially at the start of the analysis.

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References

Information technology in a global society: guide. Cardiff Wales, UK: International Baccalaureate Organization, 2006.

Liffick, Blasie. "Analyzing Ethical Situations." 28 3 1995 1-17. 29 08 2006 http://cs.millersville.edu/~liffick/scenario.html.