Tutors 21 | - Freelance Writer
Jan 05, 2024 | #1
QUESTION I - Ethical dilemma
I am working on my MBA and my professor has a problem with the person who is doing my data entry and analysis because she is a family member. He is making noises about it being unethical to utilize data she generates because she could skew it in favor of my thesis. Now, he is suggesting that I pay a student in the Computer Science Department to do my stats. I need that data for my thesis and I need it yesterday! What do I do?
Answer
Unfortunately, the answer to that question is "it depends." Why are you using a family member to run your statistics? What are her qualifications to do this type of work? What program is she using? Does the software have built-in protections to prevent alterations in data generation? For that matter, are the qualifications of the suggested "student in the Computer Science Department" any better than those of your family member? This is an important question because your findings must be without question. If your family member has no knowledge of statistics, then you might actually be able to turn that into a plus. You can put, in your thesis, that she was simply a data entry worker. The computer program generated the data and you did the analysis. On the other hand, if she is a leading authority on some obscure topic, such as state sales and tax use, and your thesis just happens to be on state sales and tax use; then your professor may, just may, have a point. If you look at your thesis as a springboard to an eventual dissertation, you really do not want to introduce any hint that you might have cut corners along the way. Think about his suggestion. If he has good reason for it, consider hiring the student. If there is no reason for it, document the capacity in which she did the work, her experience, or lack of same, in the field, and respectfully decline his suggestion. As always, document document document.
QUESTION II - My thesis advisor should retire
My thesis advisor is an elderly lady who should have retired years ago. Over the course of the past two decades, business practices, especially in the international market, have changed considerably. She has not kept up with the times and is making "minor changes" to my thesis that would get me laughed out of my committee. She does not know the laws that support my thesis and is unwilling to learn. What can I do?
Answer
You have one of the toughest questions there is to answer for business graduate students. In your profession, the law is paramount, especially in light of such situations as Enron and WorldCom. As an MBA student, you cannot afford to ignore the law, especially with the advent of the Internet and the globalization of the marketplace. If your thesis advisor is really that far out of touch, it sounds to me as if you need to make a change. I would advise you to speak, privately of course, with the other members of your committee. It may be that one of them is especially interested in your topic and would be willing to take you under their wing. This could be explained to your present advisor in just those terms. It is not unusual for MBA students to change thesis advisors when they discover someone else on their committee who is interested in, and knowledgeable about, their topic. Remember, your problem thesis advisor will still be on your committee, so best not to leave her with hard feelings. Be polite and show excitement about having "accidentally found" someone who is so "perfect" for you and your topic. This should smooth things over and make it much easier for you to make the transition away from your former advisor.
QUESTION III - Patient Confidentiality
I have to write an essay on one aspect of why respecting patient confidentiality is important. I need to pick one these four reasons: Respect for patient autonomy; implied promise; virtue ethics; or consequentialism. Which one would be easier to write on?
Answer
All four of the reasons you cite are very important grounds for protecting patient confidentiality. However, I am not sure you only want to concentrate on one that is 'easier' to write on. While that may indeed make the writing process more enjoyable for you, you may also want to consider which of the four is more important to the patient - or even to your professor. Hopefully you have developed some understanding of what your instructor values in this regard or maybe you personally have stronger feelings about one of these concepts that another.
For example, which is more important: the protection of patient rights; protection of the hospital; or possibly maintaining your own high ethical standards? I would suggest that you decide where you stand on this issue and write from the angle that is closest to your personal value system. If you do not have strong feelings one way or the other, then you could choose to write from whatever aspect has been highlighted most in your classes or text books. Regardless, you do not want to get into the bad habit of only writing what is 'easiest', as this will only hurt you in the long run.
QUESTION IV - Case Study
I wanted to use a case study method to complete an assignment in my class on business ethics, but my instructor says that he wants me to pick a different method. He says I won't learn as much from case studies. Do you have any idea what he is talking about?
Answer
I am sure your instructor would be happy to explain his reasoning if asked, but I will attempt to provide some possible explanations. Despite the importance of case studies in teaching business ethics, they tend to be narrowly focused and require little accountability on the students' part. Students may suggest solutions to an ethical issue that are unrealistic for realities of organizational life, including political maneuvering, power relationships, and profit concerns.
It has also been noted that the case study method is deficient in promoting character development and often misses the affective aspect of learning altogether. In addition, while dispassionate critiques make for excellent critical thinking skills, they may not engage the personal values and convictions of the student. This is perceived as being particularly counterproductive when, as is often the case, multiple ethical systems are being used simultaneously. Therefore, the case method approach runs the risk of valuing the thinking process so highly that content, virtuous attitudes, and conduct may be given less attention than they deserve.
Answered by Sarah, truewriter4life@gmail.com
I am working on my MBA and my professor has a problem with the person who is doing my data entry and analysis because she is a family member. He is making noises about it being unethical to utilize data she generates because she could skew it in favor of my thesis. Now, he is suggesting that I pay a student in the Computer Science Department to do my stats. I need that data for my thesis and I need it yesterday! What do I do?
Answer
Unfortunately, the answer to that question is "it depends." Why are you using a family member to run your statistics? What are her qualifications to do this type of work? What program is she using? Does the software have built-in protections to prevent alterations in data generation? For that matter, are the qualifications of the suggested "student in the Computer Science Department" any better than those of your family member? This is an important question because your findings must be without question. If your family member has no knowledge of statistics, then you might actually be able to turn that into a plus. You can put, in your thesis, that she was simply a data entry worker. The computer program generated the data and you did the analysis. On the other hand, if she is a leading authority on some obscure topic, such as state sales and tax use, and your thesis just happens to be on state sales and tax use; then your professor may, just may, have a point. If you look at your thesis as a springboard to an eventual dissertation, you really do not want to introduce any hint that you might have cut corners along the way. Think about his suggestion. If he has good reason for it, consider hiring the student. If there is no reason for it, document the capacity in which she did the work, her experience, or lack of same, in the field, and respectfully decline his suggestion. As always, document document document.QUESTION II - My thesis advisor should retire
My thesis advisor is an elderly lady who should have retired years ago. Over the course of the past two decades, business practices, especially in the international market, have changed considerably. She has not kept up with the times and is making "minor changes" to my thesis that would get me laughed out of my committee. She does not know the laws that support my thesis and is unwilling to learn. What can I do?
Answer
You have one of the toughest questions there is to answer for business graduate students. In your profession, the law is paramount, especially in light of such situations as Enron and WorldCom. As an MBA student, you cannot afford to ignore the law, especially with the advent of the Internet and the globalization of the marketplace. If your thesis advisor is really that far out of touch, it sounds to me as if you need to make a change. I would advise you to speak, privately of course, with the other members of your committee. It may be that one of them is especially interested in your topic and would be willing to take you under their wing. This could be explained to your present advisor in just those terms. It is not unusual for MBA students to change thesis advisors when they discover someone else on their committee who is interested in, and knowledgeable about, their topic. Remember, your problem thesis advisor will still be on your committee, so best not to leave her with hard feelings. Be polite and show excitement about having "accidentally found" someone who is so "perfect" for you and your topic. This should smooth things over and make it much easier for you to make the transition away from your former advisor.
QUESTION III - Patient Confidentiality
I have to write an essay on one aspect of why respecting patient confidentiality is important. I need to pick one these four reasons: Respect for patient autonomy; implied promise; virtue ethics; or consequentialism. Which one would be easier to write on?
Answer
All four of the reasons you cite are very important grounds for protecting patient confidentiality. However, I am not sure you only want to concentrate on one that is 'easier' to write on. While that may indeed make the writing process more enjoyable for you, you may also want to consider which of the four is more important to the patient - or even to your professor. Hopefully you have developed some understanding of what your instructor values in this regard or maybe you personally have stronger feelings about one of these concepts that another.
For example, which is more important: the protection of patient rights; protection of the hospital; or possibly maintaining your own high ethical standards? I would suggest that you decide where you stand on this issue and write from the angle that is closest to your personal value system. If you do not have strong feelings one way or the other, then you could choose to write from whatever aspect has been highlighted most in your classes or text books. Regardless, you do not want to get into the bad habit of only writing what is 'easiest', as this will only hurt you in the long run.
QUESTION IV - Case Study
I wanted to use a case study method to complete an assignment in my class on business ethics, but my instructor says that he wants me to pick a different method. He says I won't learn as much from case studies. Do you have any idea what he is talking about?
Answer
I am sure your instructor would be happy to explain his reasoning if asked, but I will attempt to provide some possible explanations. Despite the importance of case studies in teaching business ethics, they tend to be narrowly focused and require little accountability on the students' part. Students may suggest solutions to an ethical issue that are unrealistic for realities of organizational life, including political maneuvering, power relationships, and profit concerns.
It has also been noted that the case study method is deficient in promoting character development and often misses the affective aspect of learning altogether. In addition, while dispassionate critiques make for excellent critical thinking skills, they may not engage the personal values and convictions of the student. This is perceived as being particularly counterproductive when, as is often the case, multiple ethical systems are being used simultaneously. Therefore, the case method approach runs the risk of valuing the thinking process so highly that content, virtuous attitudes, and conduct may be given less attention than they deserve.
Answered by Sarah, truewriter4life@gmail.com