Ethical Paper

Purpose: The student must demonstrate the ability to research and write effectively on a topic in medical ethics (see the list below). The assignment develops the research abilities, the writing techniques, and the organization skills necessary to prepare an analytical and thoughtful exposition

Format: Typed, double-spaced, and titled, with 1 inch margins all around; Times New Roman font, size 12, stapled. Number every page. The text of the paper should be 5 pages in length.  The text should be written in the third person. Every source of information used in the paper must be appropriately attributed and cited in APA format.  For APA information, consult the links posted on Moodle or the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10/.

1. Content and Research: Begin by informing yourself about some of the current topics in bioethics and the resources that are available for researching topics in bioethics. There are many resources that explore these issues from the disciplines of medicine, nursing, law, philosophy, religion, economics, history, politics, and others. When you search on the Internet, look for information at appropriate websites; i.e. non-commercial sites that have no particular vested interest in promoting a particular viewpoint. Some commercial sites are useful if they provide links to quality sites or summaries of information.  But in the bioethics arena, you must be alert to identifying and discerning special interest biases when you search on the Internet. Do not overlook the library! There are many excellent books written on bioethics topics readily available in Kresge Library, Rochester Hills Public Library and other local public libraries.

2. Once you have a feel for what you might be interested in further exploring, select an ethical dilemma from the list below. Select the topic as early as possible so that you have adequate time to research the topic in general and think about the ethical and legal issues involved. 

3. Research the current literature (e.g. books and peer-reviewed articles) on the legal and bioethical issues involved.You will need to cite at least five sources of research in your paper.Select a minimum of three peer-reviewed professional/ scholarly journal articlesrelevant to your topic to deepen your knowledge of the ethical dilemma.  

4. Now conduct an analysis of the dilemma by: 1) applying three of the major moral principles (NOT ethical theories) learned in class and explained in your text book to this dilemma; and 2) determining a solution to the dilemma. 

In your paper you will describe the bioethical dilemma in the factual situation and inform the reader of any necessary factual background.  Define the key terms used in the analysis and discuss the alternative points of view on the dilemma using the bioethics and legal principles learned in class.  Focus on three moral principles associated with the dilemma.  (It is not necessary to describe the dilemma using every principle discussed in class.)  HINT: Discuss the dilemma with classmates and others to help you formulate your analysis.  The paper will conclude with your viewpoint on how to resolve the dilemma based on the research and application of the moral principles.

Evaluation: The Case Analysis will be evaluated on:  (a) your understanding of the bioethical and legal principles involved; (b) evidence of information literacy by being a critical consumer and user of the informed literature in presenting your analysis; (c) evidence of critical thinking skills through appropriate drawing of conclusions; (d) evidence of evaluation and discussion of the relevance of findings; and (e) evidence of effective communicationskills in the written case analysis. Specifically, the following items will be evaluated in grading the Case Analysis:

Your writing: Punctuation, grammar, spelling, organization, professional style of writing, length of paper, and referencing technique; and the content:Accurate and appropriate information from refereed and quality sources, completeness, appropriate choice of ethical arguments, no inclusion of superfluous or repetitive information, integration of information, appropriate depth, thorough and well-grounded analysis, and well-supported arguments for student’s point of view.

Content and Research: Begin by informing yourself about some of the current topics in bioethics and the resources that are available for researching topics in bioethics. There are many resources that explore these issues from the disciplines of medicine, nursing, law, philosophy, religion, economics, history, politics, and others. When you search on the Internet, look for information at appropriate websites; i.e. non-commercial sites that have no particular vested interest in promoting a particular viewpoint. Some commercial sites are useful if they provide links to quality sites or summaries of information.  But in the bioethics arena, you must be alert to identifying and discerning special interest biases when you search on the Internet. Do not overlook the library! There are many excellent books written on bioethics topics readily available in Kresge Library, Rochester Hills Public Library and other local public libraries.

Once you have a feel for what you might be interested in further exploring, select an ethical dilemma from the list below. Select the topic as early as possible so that you have adequate time to research the topic in general and think about the ethical and legal issues involved. Research the current literature (e.g. books and peer-reviewed articles) on the legal and bioethical issues involved.You will need to cite at least five sources of research in your paper.Select two peer-reviewed professional/scholarly journal articles relevant to your topic to deepen your knowledge of the ethical dilemma.  You will then conduct an analysis of the dilemma by applying three of the major moral principles (NOT ethical theories) learned in class and explained in your text book to this dilemma and determining a solution to the dilemma. 

The paper will describe the bioethical dilemma in the factual situation and inform the reader of any necessary factual background.  It also will define the key terms used in the analysis.  The paper will discuss the alternative points of view on the dilemma using the bioethics and legal principles learned in class.  The paper should focus on three moral principles associated with the dilemma.  It is not necessary to describe the dilemma using every principle discussed in class.  Discuss the dilemma with classmates and others to help you formulate your analysis.  The paper will conclude with your viewpoint on how to resolve the dilemma based on the research and application of the moral principles.

Evaluation: The Case Analysis will be evaluated on:  (a) your understanding of the bioethical and legal principles involved; (b) evidence of information literacy by being a critical consumer and user of the informed literature in presenting your analysis; (c) evidence of critical thinking skills through appropriate drawing of conclusions; (d) evidence of evaluation and discussion of the relevance of findings; and (e) evidence of effective communication skills in the written case analysis.

The particular items that will be evaluated in grading the Case Analysis include:

Writing: Punctuation, grammar, spelling, organization, professional style of writing, length of paper, and referencing technique.

Content:Accurate and appropriate information from refereed and quality sources, completeness, appropriate choice of ethical arguments, no inclusion of superfluous or repetitive information, integration of information, appropriate depth, thorough and well-grounded analysis, and well-supported arguments for student’s point of view.