Overview of Data Collection Methods at University of Arizona
The project is focused on the data collection and data research methodologies used by the University of Arizona (UA). In the case study, the researcher investigated the number of swipes of a student ID card to check the movements of the students. However, after analyzing the overall data, it was found that most of the students are not swapping their CarCards (ID Cards) properly. Many students were not even aware of the fact their CarCard has the capacity to track down their daily activities and later these cards will be collected by the authority. A large number of students used their cards during the initial days of college (Tavani, 2011). However, later they stopped using these cards. Various ethical theories such as Deontology theory, Utilitarianism Theory, Virtue theory, and Contract theory will be discussed and analyzed in the context of this case study to understand the ethical issues faced by these students.
It is a moral theory used to determine what is wrong or right. It is the most basic type of ethical theory (Kagan, 2018). As per Utilitarianism theory, an act is considered as good if a maximum number of people get advantage from it. Utilitarianism theory compares all the relevant actions to promote overall pleasure or happiness and reject the action that causes unhappiness (Mill, 2016). Utilitarianism philosophy used to relate economic, social or political decisions. The theory of utilitarianism is also been criticized by many people for the following reasons. As many of the critics say that the utilitarianism does not provide the protection of the individual rights. Moreover, they have mentioned that not all the theories can be measured by the same standards. The critics mentioned that the happiness is more complex than it is mentioned in the theory (Tavani, 2011).
In the context of the case study, the lecturers or higher authority of the University of Arizona should explain the importance of the card swapping to all the individuals in the university premises. As per the Utilitarianism principle, the authority should also justify how card swapping can boost the morality of the students. However, the students should not be forced to do this activity. It also should be taught that if students use this card for illegal activities, they could be penalized for their actions. As a utilitarian, the students should understand that usage of their ID cards could help them to learn many things through lab activities and other related educational activities. However, if a particular student fails to follow the rules and regulations designed by authority, he should be punished for his actions (Tavani, 2011).
Utilitarianism
Deontology is a normative ethical theory used to understand the relationship between the morality and duty of human actions. This theory considers a list of actions and chooses the best depending on the characteristics, which are ethically good (Paquette, Sommerfeldt & Kent, 2015). The theory grasps some acts that are morally mandatory despite their consequences meant for human welfare. Many of the philosophers mentioned this theory based as a “non consequential” on the view of the people and moral decision-making. Deontological theories can be described in various forms
Kantianism
According to Kant, if all people were categorically imperative, everyone would be living in a moral system. The system according to him would be based on two crucial aspects, which are impartiality and universality (Tavani, 2011). Every individual living in such a system would be treated equally and in a fair manner. Additionally, being imperative and based on the aspect of impartiality, this does not allow a person to be favored or privileged over another.
German philosopher, Immanuel Kant developed this theory (Beiser, 2018). It contains two questions:
- Can I propose an act that everyone act realistically?
- Do the actions respect the goals of other human beings rather than own purposes?
If the answer to the first question is no, then the act must not be performed. Similarly for second questions also if others negate with the question, the action must not be performed.
Divine Command Theory
It is a highly controversial theory. Many philosophers, including J.L. Mackie, Plato, and Kai Nielsen, have analyzed it. This theory state that moral responsibilities and morality ultimately depend on God (Al-Attar, 2015).
Contemporary Theory
This theory deconstructs the traditional concepts and viewpoint regarding language, identity and cultural differences of the person. The contemporary theory can be compared to the new criticism that can be considered as a traditional because of its belief on a universal truth, which is for every human being (Luthans, Luthans, & Luthans, 2015). This is regardless of the cultures or any period. It is only used to believe in its own analysis of the literary texts. In the comparison of the contemporary theory, it can deconstruct the conventional explanation of the literature in its own analysis; it can also provide attention to the aspects of the literary texts which are ignored by the traditional theories that include the race, gender as well as the class.
This theory is one of the oldest theories in the western philosophies, which is having the relation with the Greek civilization. As per Plato, there are four virtues: temperance, Courage, wisdom, and justice. The theory focuses on the faith that a temperament to perform a right thing is more helpful than following a set of and policy and ethics. Virtue is typically considered as a character feature such as honesty or kindness (Tavani, 2011). Typically, virtue is meant as a positive human characteristic. When one person acts as an ethicist of good value, he should tell that not swapping of ID cards is not acceptable as it reflects a negative impression on the character of the students. Along with this argument, the person should validate his arguments and should explain how the morality can be destroyed by this incident (Bell, Dyck & Neubert, 2017).
Deontology
In this theory, the learning is based on legal agreements between the organization and any single individual associated with the company. There can be various uncertain factors and conditions, which are affecting this theory (Koszegi, 2014). The theory is applicable to multi-party discussions and it contains both professional and informal agreements that are used to encourage people. The theory provides guidance to the students as well as the lecturers and data researchers to structure their list of actions (Tavani, 2011). This theory often provides a clear perceptive about the policies and other legal factors that are followed inside an organization. In this case, the theory will consider various factors within the UA and relate those factors for the betterment of the students. Further, the case study focuses on enhancing motivation and developing a sense of moral obligation not only as a society, but also as an individual. The theory is recognized as a minimalist theory of morality. Based on the case study it can be understood that in absence of a explicit contract, an individual does not harm any other person and additionally there exists very little or absolutely zero obligation to provide assistance to others.
The model displays the risky behavior that can cause the moral hazard (Kostovetsky, 2015). To provide the response to the moral hazards the university can make the student’s performance contracts so that the students have to improve their actions. The students will do according to the rules and regulations if they will get performance marks for doing that process.
This kind of model helps to monitor the people who are working in the company (Gilbert & Sullivan, 2018). In the case it can be applied, as the students do not punch their card while entering the university campus, the university has to make a model. In which the students have to provide the information that they are in the college. The information, which will be, synchronizes to the server (Tavani, 2011). This server will help the students to get extra marks extra marks for providing information about their presence in the college.
Conclusion
The overall conclusion is that moral principle plays a vital role in maintaining the internal environment of a university campus. The students and teachers should mutually understand each other and they should respect the rules and regulation in the institution to sustain a healthy environment. If some students do not follow certain rules, they should be educated about the consequences regarding their actions. Moreover, all the ethical theories should be applied to understand the behavioral ethics of those students and how it can be improved. In this way, the students will discover the practical ways to improve their behavioral traits. They will understand the proper ways of decision-making and relevant skills to improvise moral reasoning. It is recommended to use all kinds of the mentioned ethical theories to analyze human behavior and develop it.
References
Al-Attar, M. (2015). The ethics and metaphysics of divine command theory. The Routledge companion to Islamic philosophy. 9(6), 51-74
Beiser, F. C. (2018). Frederick Beiser: The Genesis of Neo-Kantianism, 1796-1880. Issues, 4(2), 138-145.
Bell, G. G., Dyck, B., & Neubert, M. J. (2017). ethical leadership, virtue theory, and generic strategies . Radical Thoughts on Ethical Leadership, 2(1), 91-113.
Gilbert, W. S., & Sullivan, A. (2018). The Signs of Signaling. The Case Against Education: Why the Education System Is a Waste of Time and Money, 9(6), 51-74
Kagan, S. (2018). Normative ethics. 4th ed. Abingdon: Routledge.
Kostovetsky, L. (2015). Political capital and moral hazard. Journal of Financial Economics, 116(1), 144-159.
Koszegi, B. (2014). Behavioral contract theory. Journal of Economic Literature, 52(4), 1075-1118.
Luthans, F., Luthans, B. C., & Luthans, K. W. (2015). Organizational Behavior: An Evidence-based Approach. IAP.5(2), 88-98
Mill, J. S. (2016). Utilitarianism. In Seven Masterpieces of Philosophy (pp. 337-383). 4th ed. Abingdon: Routledge.
Paquette, M., Sommerfeldt, E. J., & Kent, M. L. (2015). Do the ends justify the means? Dialogue, development communication, and deontological ethics. Public Relations Review, 41(1), 30-39.
Tavani, H. T. (2011). Ethics and technology: Controversies, questions, and strategies for ethical computing. John Wiley & Sons.
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