Create and analyze a case study of your own. Present and explore an ethical issue. Work with an issue that pertains to your chosen profession or career path (nursing), or that you find to be compelling. Use the Ethical Assessment Model to present and analyze your case study.
Selecting your case:
A case study is an examination of a particular event, situation, or person over a period of time. A case study should present a challenge in which there is a question about the right thing to do. A case study in ethics explores a real-world situation that presents one or more people with choices to make that have ethical significance. In other words, a case study in ethics enables us to explore and practice the critical thinking that is necessary for ethical competency. It does so by presenting circumstances in which our moral agency can be engaged – we are faced with challenges regarding what choice to make, and we recognize that there is some responsibility for making these choices with skill. A case study is not the same as an examination of an issue. A case study does not examine an entire issue, though it can be used to illustrate a particular principle or thesis as it applies to a general issue. This means that a case study essay could be written about specific situation in which a woman faces a question in which abortion might be an option. However, an examination of abortion as a general topic would not be adequate as a sole topic for this assignment.
To identify a case study, you may research an actual event from news or journal reports. You may examine an existing case study from a professional or academic source other than the assigned text. (Many professional organizations maintain clearinghouses of case studies for the purpose of ethics training. You may use one of these that fits your intended career path.) Create a hypothetical case study using your own observation, experience, and imagination.
Presenting your case study:
The Ethical Assessment Model provides a structured means to explain, explore, and analyze a case study. Use the Ethical Assessment Model by includuing Model’s four main steps: Ethical Situation, Background, Ethical Assessment, Results.
Ethical Situation:
Begin with a careful explanation of your case. Bring as much relevant detail into this case as you are able. What are the facts of the situation? What is the moral challenge or conflict? What is at stake in this situation, and who is at risk of harm?
Recognizing that your understanding of the situation is limited, identify what you do not fully understand. Research these areas to help build your understanding. Remember that there will always be more to know, and recognizing your limits, keep your mind open for new information as you proceed.
Your sources here should provide important detail that helps you to understand the situation and factors that shape the choices that are available. Technical details can be important to help you understand what is, and isn’t strategically possible. Details regarding laws and regulations can help you to understand administrative boundaries.
Background:
Bring more attention to the stakeholders who are impacted by this situation and by the choices to be made. What do you know about how each person is viewing this issue and what influences their view? What do you know about what outcomes each person wishes to see? In what ways are different people in agreement, and in what ways are they in conflict? Recognizing that you do not know everything about these people, identify where their backgrounds, motives, and perspectives remain mysterious?
Recognizing that your understanding of the people in this situation is limited, identify what you do not fully understand. Remember that there will always be more to know, and recognizing your limits, keep your mind open for new information as you proceed.
Knowing that you can never fully understand what someone else experiences, be open to any insight you can find into what it is like for the different people in this case to face this particular situation. Your sources might help you to grasp more of the lived experience of people who face situations like the one you are exploring. First-hand accounts from people who have gone through similar experiences can help to build your perspective.
Ethical Assessment:
Once you have examined the situation and the perspectives of the different people involved, you are ready to analyze the ethical aspects of your case using the three levels of assessment.
Administrative Level: Recall that the administrative level draws boundaries. What boundaries have already been drawn? What laws or regulations apply or should be applied? What boundaries need to be drawn? Consider applicable principles or provisions in relevant codes of ethics. Are there any rights at stake? The Kantian categorical imperative can help you to examine questions of duty, rights, and respect.
Strategic Level: Recall that the strategic level seeks the best possible outcome. Your work in the background will help you to identify possible outcomes to pursue. What are the available means to pursue those outcomes? Work to determine what is at stake in pursuing each outcome. Given the options for action that are available, which option stands to bring about the best outcome. A utilitarian calculation can help you to weigh these options against each other.
Interpersonal Level: Recall that the interpersonal level is marked by willingness to offer direct care for someone’s needs. Identify who is most vulnerable in this situation. Who’s needs are the greatest. Is there anyone who is uniquely qualified or otherwise positioned to see to the needs of the most vulnerable? Compassion and kindness can always be shown. Where are they most needed in this situation?
Results:
Reflect on your assessments and engage your critical thinking. This section is the conclusion of your argument. You brought in evidence as you assessed the ethical situation and background. You analyzed the evidence as you engaged the three levels of ethical assessment. Now, take the time to offer your thoughtful conclusion. Explain what we know from your analysis. Explain the options available and what is at stake with these options. What do we know and what questions remain? What course of action do you recommend? Why do you believe this is the best option?
Use of sources
Include at least three scholarly references. The sources of these references should provide important evidence for your case or perspective that helps to deepen your ethical analysis.
At least one reference must come from the required text (I will take care of this). At least two other references must come from scholarly sources other than the text. (Examples include papers in an academic journal, texts written by academic authors, material from academic websites, and data from research institutions). You may also use relevant news sources, databases, or anything that helps to deepen your exploration.
You may use either APA or MLA formatting in citing your sources.
Sources should provide important detail that makes it easier to understand the situation and factors that shape the choices that are available. Technical details can be important to help understand what is, and isn’t strategically possible. Details regarding laws and regulations can help to understand administrative boundaries.
