Assessment 2 Instructions: Ethical Issue and Action Plan

Write a 6-8 page assessment of an ethical issue in a case study and construct an ethical analysis based on the application of ethical principles.

Introduction

Note: The assessments in this course build upon one another, so you are strongly encouraged to complete them in sequence.

As a psychology professional, you will encounter ethical dilemmas at times in your work. Dealing with controversial and ambiguous real-life situations within the framework of a complex society provokes challenges. Familiarity with the APA principles, use of critical thinking, consulting with others, and ongoing gains in professional experience enhance our ability as professionals to effectively apply ethical standards in practice. In this assessment, you will apply this understanding to a case study problem.

Overview

Notes:

• The assessments in this course build upon one another, so you are strongly encouraged to complete them in sequence.
• For this assessment, you will continue to work with the same case study you chose for your Assessment 1.
  • Review the Case Studies, if necessary.

In this assessment you will apply ethical principles to analyze an ethical dilemma within the case you chose.

Instructions

Write a 6–8 page report in which you complete the following:

1. Brainstorm several alternatives for resolving the ethical dilemma in the case.
2. Analyze alternatives for resolving the ethical dilemma and come to a conclusion.
3. Analyze and document the possible ramifications for at least three alternatives. Then, choose a course of action.
4. Apply ethical codes and standards to support the plan of action.
5. Explain the research methods used in multiple research studies relevant to the case, and present the findings.
6. Explain your course of action, using research findings from at least two studies to support your plan. You can use (but are not required to use) additional research beyond the two studies to support your plan.

The following is the recommended structure for organizing your assessment:

• Create a title page:Write a title that reflects the purpose of your work. It is suggested that you use the APA Paper Template [DOCX] to format your paper according to the APA manual (current edition).
• Write an introduction:For the introduction section of your paper, include the title at the top of the first page. (In APA format, the word Introduction is not used as a heading.) Briefly summarize:
  • The ethical issue in the case you have chosen.
  • How professional standards and other resources, in general terms, point toward solutions.
  • How the issue in general relates to larger societal problems.
• Create a heading titled Applied Ethical Principles and Standards:Use the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct to assess which of the principles and standards relate to the particular ethical issue in this case, and analyze how they do so.
• Create a heading titled Alternative Solutions:
  • Brainstorm several alternatives for resolving the ethical dilemma in the case. Thoroughly analyze the possible ramifications for at least three alternatives and document them. Then, choose a course of action.
  • Explain your chosen course of action and support it based on both ethical principles and current psychological research (published within the past decade).
• Create a heading title Research:Present at least two research studies that support your thinking and approach to ethics in the case. Present the research methods and findings and analyze the relevance of the findings to the case.
• Create a heading titled Conclusion:Briefly summarize the importance of the problem and make a compelling appeal for implementation of your action plan.

Keep in mind that while your writing must conform to APA standards, you must explain all information in a manner that can be understood easily by a nonacademic or nonscientific audience.

Refer to the Ethical Issue and Action Plan Scoring Guide to ensure you meet the grading criteria for this assessment.

Additional Requirements

Your assessment should meet the following requirements:

• Written communication:Written communication is well organized and free from errors that detract from the overall message.
• APA style:Comply with current APA style and formatting.
• Number of resources:A minimum of three academic resources.
• Length:6–8 typed, double-spaced pages, excluding the cover page and references.
• Font and font size:Times New Roman, 12 point.

Portfolio Prompt: You are encouraged to save this learning activity to your ePortfolio.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment scoring guide criteria:

• Competency 2: Apply empirical research findings to issues in psychology.
  • Apply psychological research findings to support a plan of action.
• Competency 3: Use scientific research methods and findings to address psychological phenomena.
  • Explain research methods used in multiple research studies.
• Competency 4: Solve problems in the field of psychology through critical and scientific analysis, and innovative thinking.
  • Analyze alternatives for resolving an ethical dilemma.
• Competency 5: Evaluate decisions or actions based on cultural competence and ethical principles.
  • Apply ethical codes and standards to support a plan of action.
• Competency 7: Communicate effectively with diverse recipients in a manner that is consistent with expectations for psychology professionals.
  • Communicate clearly, supporting a central idea with good organization of thought, and correct grammar and sentence structure.
  • Apply APA style and formatting to written work.

 

 

 

 

Ethical Issue and Action Plan Scoring Guide

CRITERIA	NON-PERFORMANCE	BASIC	PROFICIENT	DISTINGUISHED
Analyze alternatives for resolving an ethical dilemma.	Does not describe alternatives for resolving an ethical dilemma.	Describes alternatives for resolving an ethical dilemma.	Analyzes alternatives for resolving an ethical dilemma.	Analyzes and evaluates alternatives for resolving an ethical dilemma.
Apply ethical codes and standards to support a plan of action.	Does not describe a chosen course of action that could be based on ethical principles.	Describes a chosen course of action that is implicitly based on ethical principles.	Applies ethical codes and standards to support a plan of action.	Assesses how ethical principles and standards support a chosen plan of action.
Explain research methods used in multiple research studies.	Does not explain research methods used in multiple research studies.	Explains research methods used in multiple research studies but the explanation is incomplete, inaccurate, or otherwise flawed.	Explains research methods used in multiple research studies.	Explains research methods used in multiple research studies. Evaluates the appropriateness of the methods used in each study.
Apply psychological research findings to support a plan of action.	Does not describe relationships between a chosen course of action and current psychological research.	Describes relationships between a chosen course of action and current psychological research.	Applies psychological research findings to support a plan of action.	Cites specific research to support all elements of a chosen plan of action.
Communicate clearly supporting a central idea with good organization of thought, and correct grammar and sentence structure.	Does not communicate clearly supporting a central idea with good organization of thought, and correct grammar and sentence structure.	Communicates to support a central idea, but there are multiple errors in organization of thought, or grammar and sentence structure that interfere with the communication.	Communicates clearly supporting a central idea with good organization of thought, and correct grammar and sentence structure.	Communicates clearly supporting a central idea with good organization of thought, and correct grammar and sentence structure with few errors.
Apply APA style and formatting to written work.	Does not apply APA style and formatting to written work.	Applies APA style and formatting to written work with errors in attribution to sources through in-text citations or references, or in APA style for formatting documents.	Applies APA style and formatting to written work.	Applies APA style and formatting to written work. Exhibits correct attribution of sources through in-text citations and references with few errors, and adheres to APA style for formatting documents.