Apply Ethical Practice in Study

Apply Ethical Practice in Study

NSWTETH403A

Documents that will be referred to include:

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Graduate School 2008 -2010 Graduate Catalogue Online Pg 1 – 5 (Referred to as Document A)

http://main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=95304

The Charles Sturt University guide to avoiding plagiarism (Referred to as Document B) www.csu.edu.au/division/studserv/learning/plagiarism

The Australian Copyright Council : Copyright Basics ( Referred to as Document C) http://www.copyright.org.au/info/cit014/wp0125

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Examine the principles of ethical practice in study.

Define ethics and ethical practice

“Ethics is a code of values which guide our choices and actions and determine the purpose and course of our lives.”

Ayn Rand, 20th century Russian/ American novelist and philosopher

“Ethics refer to standards of conduct, standards that indicate how one should behave based on moral duties and virtues, which themselves are derived from principles of right and wrong. In order to apply this definition to practical decision making it is necessary to specify the nature of the moral obligations considered intrinsic to ethical behaviour.”

The Josephson Institute of Ethics, “Making Ethical Decisions’

The above accessed from “What is ethics?” Ms Portman http://sun.menloschool.org/~sportman/ethics/definition.html on 03/06/09

Q1.1 Write your own simple definition of ethics in academic study. You may wish to complete this question after reading the rest of the unit.

Identify principles associated with ethical study practice and

Examine the concept of intellectual property.

Read Document A: Academic Ethics and Conduct, Academic Conduct? Honor Code

Q1.2 Name five categories of behaviour that are classified as academic dishonesty.

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

5.)

Read Document B: Pages 1 – 7

Q1.3 Intentional plagiarism occurs when a student deliberately sets out to deceive others that the ideas and words they present in an assignment are their own. What are the five reasons cited for when students plagiarise by mistake?

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

5.)

Q1.4 What is the key to correctly acknowledging sources for your academic work?

Q1.5 Name five examples of types of ‘common knowledge’ that would not require referencing

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

5.)

Examine principles using a range of aspects of study

Aspects of study may include but are not limited to:

· research

· presenting information

· working in a group

· collaboration

· sitting examinations

· submitting assignments

· undertaking fieldwork

· conducting experiments

· gathering qualitative and quantitative data

In classroom situation students break into small groups to discuss how ethical practice may be applied or breached (intentionally or unintentionally) in the above aspects and share ideas as a class. If students are completing this unit by flexible delivery

Q1.6 Choose five of the above aspects of study and give at least one example for each of how ethical practice may be breached.

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

5.)

2. Investigate legislation and policies related to malpractice in study.

Distinguish between the terms unethical and illegal.

The Macquarie Dictionary Second Edition defines the terms thus:

unethical: adj.1.contrary to moral precept; immoral. 2.in contravention of some code of professional conduct.

illegal: adj. not legal; unauthorised

If something is illegal the offender may be prosecuted in court according to the law regarding the offence. If something is unethical, but not illegal, the offender cannot be taken to court, but may have penalties imposed upon them by an organisation e.g.: membership withdrawn.

Investigate legislation related to malpractice in study

Read the text by the Australian Copyright Council: ‘Copyright Basics’ Document C

2.1 What is copyright?

2.2 What does copyright apply to?

2.3 Are ideas subject to copyright?

2.4 What do you have to do to get copyright for your work?

2.5 Does copyright last forever?

Investigate a range of policies related to malpractice in study

Identify the consequences of malpractice in study

Read pages 2 – 5 of Document A and page 8 of Document B.

Note the CSU’s Academic Misconduct Rule is cited in full at www.csu.edu/acad_sec/misc

Q2.6 Name two potential consequences of committing academic misconduct

1.)

2.)

3. Analyse and propose solutions to ethical issues in study

Distinguish between ethical issues and ethical practice.

Ethical issues refer to the theory regarding a situation, whereas ethical practice refers to the practical application of the theory. E.g. In Document B page 2 the ethical issue of plagiarism is discussed. The ethical practice resulting from this issue is for students to follow a recognised referencing system for all their work.

Examine scenarios/case studies involving malpractice.

Analyse scenarios/case studies and propose strategies to avoid malpractice.

See Document 2 pages 26 – 27. In class these scenarios can be proposed for discussion.

Q3.1 Read the four case studies and summarize the message underlying each situation.

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

4. Apply ethical study in practice.

Propose strategies to ensure ethical practice in own study.

Q4.1 Write a list of strategies you will employ when researching and writing an assignment to ensure appropriate ethical practice is followed.

Apply principles of ethical study practice.

Your referencing, both in text and end of text, and bibliography used in academic essays and oral presentations for other units ( E.g. NSWTEGL301B Language and Learning Skills) will form part of the assessment for this module.

References

Portman,Ms, “What is ethics?” Retrieved 03/06/09 http://sun.menloschool.org/~sportman/ethics/definition.html

Bibliography

Delbridge,A.,Bernard,J.R.L.,Blair,D.,Peters,P.,Butler,S.1992, The Macquarie Dictionary, Second Edition, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Graduate School,2005, 2008 -2010 Graduate Catalogue Online Pg 1 – 5. Academic Ethics and Conduct, Retrieved 03/06/09 (Referred tohere as Document A)

http://main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=95304

Charles Sturt University, November 2007,The Charles Sturt University guide to avoiding plagiarism. Retrieved 03/06/09 (Referred to here as Document B) www.csu.edu.au/division/studserv/learning/plagiarism

Australian Copyright Council Copyright basics Retrieved 06/08/09