Requirements:
Note: 1. You must have your case approved by the lecturer to proceed with this assignment.
2. It is acceptable to disguise company and/or personal names.
3. Copyright violations are not permissable cases for this assignment.
Refer to the Marking Scheme for the assignment.
The case must be based on your own experience and observation. It should describe and analyse an ethical dilemma or issue relating to computer technology. An unethical action need not have taken place, but the potential for violation of ethical conduct must be present. The prime criterion is that the computer or information system technology provides the basis of the ethical issue. The case should be about five pages in length, typed, double spaced. It must contain the following (numbered) sections:
1. Relevant (Background) Facts: Describe all the facts of the case.
Analyse the Situation
What are the relevant facts?
What is the subject of this case? What's it all about?
Who are the stakeholders i.e. those who have an interest or stake in the outcome?
2. Ethical Issue(s): What ethical issue or issues are raised by the situation? Be sure to support your observations with reference to some of the ethical concepts and principles discussed in class and/or discovered in your reading.
Discover the Ethical Issues
State the ethical principles involved.
What are the consequences?
What are the costs and benefits? To whom?
Is anyone "using" another person?
3. Resolution: Explore the options for action to resolve the specific situation raised in this case. Explain what you think ought to be done now.
Describe Steps to Resolve the Given Situation
What are the options at this time?
How can they be exercised?
Are they legally and/or morally justifiable? Explain.
4. Changes: Suggest some organisational or systems changes which might have prevented this situation and/or which will help prevent similar ethical problems from arising in the future.
Prepare Measures to Prevent Recurrence
What organisational, systemic, and/or societal changes are needed?
Consider changes in personnel, organisation structure, policy, law, and technology in your response.
Consider the consequences of your changes.
Adapted from: Kallman, E.A. (1992) Teaching Computer Ethics Through Real Life Experiences, Interface, 14(2), 56-59.