ACCT1081 Assessment 1 – Research into Current Ethical Issue

Assessment Task

1.  Research into current ethical issue (Written Component)

This is worth 20% of your marks and should not exceed 1,500 words excluding appendices.

You are required to work in groups of two students to search existing databases of: newspapers, periodicals, YouTube, academic articles, etc. to find a current business event that involves either ethical or unethical practice and behaviour. The business event should have occurred within the last two years.

You are then required to discuss the following issues:

1. What are the relevant facts of the case? 
2. Who are the relevant stakeholders, and why are they considered such?
3. What are the ethical issues?
4. Apply each of the three ethical perspectives (utilitarianism, deontology, and the justice theory) to the case.

2. What is academic integrity?

3. What compromises academic integrity?

Assessment Requirements – Summary

This assessment carried a weight of 20% and required students to complete a written component (up to 1,500 words, excluding appendices). It consisted of three main parts:

1. Research into a Current Ethical Issue

   • Work in pairs to identify a business event within the last two years involving ethical or unethical practices.
   • Sources could include newspapers, periodicals, YouTube, or academic articles.
   • The written analysis was required to cover:
     • Relevant facts of the case
     • Identification of stakeholders and their roles
     • Key ethical issues involved
     • Application of three ethical theories:
       • Utilitarianism
       • Deontology
       • Justice theory

2. What is Academic Integrity?

   • Provide a clear definition and explanation of academic integrity in the university context.

3. What Compromises Academic Integrity?

   • Discuss the behaviours, actions, or practices that undermine academic integrity (e.g., plagiarism, cheating, collusion).

Key skills assessed: Research, critical thinking, application of ethical theories, academic writing, and understanding of academic integrity.

Mentor’s Step-by-Step Guidance

The academic mentor supported the student through a structured process:

1. Understanding the Task & Breaking Down Requirements

   • Mentor explained the weighting, length, and expectations of the assessment.
   • Clarified that the chosen case study must be recent (within two years) and must present a clear ethical dilemma.

2. Selecting a Suitable Case

   • Guided the student in searching reliable databases and media sources.
   • Encouraged choosing a case with multiple stakeholders and ethical complexity (e.g., corporate misconduct, sustainability failures, or workplace ethics).

3. Structuring the Case Analysis

   • Helped the student frame the facts chronologically and objectively.
   • Discussed how to identify and justify relevant stakeholders (shareholders, employees, customers, regulators, community).
   • Highlighted how to pinpoint the ethical issues without bias.

4. Applying Ethical Theories

   • Mentor explained how to apply utilitarianism (consequences and overall benefit), deontology (duty and principles), and justice theory (fairness and equality).

   • Encouraged the student to present arguments under each theory systematically.

5. Addressing Academic Integrity Components

   • Guided the student to define academic integrity in their own words, supported by university or scholarly references.

   • Clarified common violations of academic integrity (plagiarism, contract cheating, unauthorized collaboration, fabrication of data).

6. Drafting & Refining

   • Mentor reviewed drafts, ensuring arguments were well-structured, evidence-based, and aligned with marking criteria.
   • Emphasized clear writing, proper referencing, and critical analysis.

Outcome & Learning Objectives Achieved

By the end of the process, the student produced a well-structured report that:

• Presented a clear and well-researched case study of an ethical issue.
• Identified stakeholders and explained their interests in relation to the case.
• Applied three ethical frameworks effectively to evaluate the case from different perspectives.
• Provided a strong explanation of academic integrity and what compromises it.
• Used appropriate referencing and academic conventions throughout.

Learning Objectives Achieved:

• Ability to research and analyze real-world business ethics issues.
• Application of theoretical ethical frameworks to practical contexts.
• Enhanced skills in critical thinking and ethical reasoning.
• Clear understanding of academic integrity and its importance in higher education.
• Improved academic writing and referencing skills.

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