Charles Sturt University: Ethical Implications of Student Data Use

This case study delves into the ethical considerations surrounding the collection and use of student data in universities, specifically referencing a scenario at Arizona University where student ID card swipes were used to gather data on student activities and locations. The analysis applies several ethical theories, including Utilitarianism, Deontology, Virtue Ethics, and Contract Theory, to evaluate the ethical implications of such data collection practices. It argues that the collection of student data without informed consent raises significant privacy concerns and violates ethical principles. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of protecting student privacy and ensuring transparency in data collection processes, recommending that universities prioritize ethical considerations and student awareness in their research practices. Desklib provides access to similar case studies and solved assignments for students seeking assistance with their academic work.

Students and Sensors: Data, education, privacy, and research
SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND MATHS, CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY
Students and Sensors: Data, education, privacy, and research
Assignment 3: Applying Ethical Theory
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Students and Sensors: Data, education, privacy, and research
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Utilitarianism Theory.......................................................................................................................1
Deontology theory...........................................................................................................................2
Virtue theory....................................................................................................................................2
Contract theory................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion and recommendations...................................................................................................4
References........................................................................................................................................5
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Students and Sensors: Data, education, privacy, and research
Introduction
In this paper the discussion will be made by considering the ethical theories. The case study
which is selected for the task is Students and Sensors: Data, education, privacy, and research.
The case focuses on the universities in which the information of the students is collected for
various reasons. In the Arizona University it can be evaluated that researchers collected the data
of the students by swiping the student ID cards. The case also discusses about the activities of the
students and the relations with the other students can also be evaluated. The case tells about the
CatCard which is swiped up by the researchers and it tells about the exact location and
information of the students (Raicu, 2018).
The information of the location and time can also be seen by focusing on the daily operations of
the students. The information which is gathered is considered as one of the major issues as it
directly affects the privacy of the students. In the process of information collection process, the
students who are the part of it have the knowledge that how the data is collected. Also there are
students who do not have the knowledge that why the information is gathered with the aim of the
research. In this discussion the focus will be given on the concepts related to IT ethics. The
theories that will be discussed in this paper are Utilitarianism, contract, deontology and virtue.
These theories will be elaborated by focusing on the case study.
Utilitarianism Theory
The utilitarianism theory concerned with this case focuses on the capability of the individual that
will help to predict the consequences in context to the act. It has been analyzed that the choice
can also focus on the entire benefit related with the majority of the people which is not ethically
correct. If focus is given on the Utilitarianism theory it has been analyzed that there are two types
which are concerned to it like rule and act. The Act utilitarianism emphasizes on the person who
manage the activities in context to the benefits of the individuals. It also reduces the overall
feeling of the person without giving emphasis on the social constraints in which there are basic
laws which should be considered. Also the utilitarianism law take into consideration the laws
which focuses on fairness and also on justice (Michaelson, Pratt, Grant & Dunn, 2014).
In the case, this theory is not considered as collecting the information can result in beneficiary to
the researchers and also it is involved in gathering of the data. For conducting research study it
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Students and Sensors: Data, education, privacy, and research
has been seen that information of the students is collected. The theory emphasizes on the theory
which can help the people to avail the benefits. There are many people who are linked with the
case study like students. The students also do not focus on the advantages by the researcher as
their security of data is at risk (Neubert & Dyck, 2016).
Deontology theory
The deontology theory also discuss about the people who believe and focus on the obligations
and duties at the time of making decisions. In relation to deontology theory it can be analyzed
that the people should focus on the obligations by focusing on the people of the society. This
can also be analyzed that to uphold the duty of the particular person is also ethically correct. Also
the people who focus on this theory will try to maintain their promise and also consider the law.
Due to this the impact can also been seen on the process of decision making as at the time of
making the decisions the person consider the specific duties (Vadastreanu, Maier & Maier,
2015).
The research also emphasizes on the entire case study, in which it has been seen that focus is not
given on the rules and regulations. The law also emphasizes on the case study and it is important
for the researchers to emphasize on the laws and regulations so that it can be easy to maintain the
entire research. But when the data is considered of the students in context to the Cat Card then it
has been seen that it is taken without permission of the students. For maintaining the entire
research study, the ethical rule is considered which can help the students to know about the data
which is collected. But in the given case study, it has been analyzed that researchers collect the
data without having any consent of the students and it also not emphasize on the considering the
rules of this theory (Austin, 2017).
Virtue theory
This theory emphasizes on judging the person by specific character and it do not focus on
judging the actions which can be different from the behavior. This theory is also taken into
consideration by the person morals and also with the help of the motivation factor. The theory is
known when the person is given rating in relation to the irregular and unethical behavior. It can
be analyzed that virtue theory in relation to the case study stated that there are many researchers
who is popular in the university and they focused on maintaining the track of the students
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Students and Sensors: Data, education, privacy, and research
without emphasizing on the consent of the students. In the University of Arizona it has seen that
moral of the person is considered which assist the researchers to do the research.
The researchers also focus on the character of the person and unethical actions are not considered
in reference to the University of Arizona. It has been analyzed that researchers emphasizes on the
evaluating the character of the person and it is expected to not consider any unethical act with the
data which is collected form the overall evaluation. Also the emphasis is given on maintaining
the safety of the individual so that information can be misused of the students.
Contract theory
This theory emphasizes on the people who are living together in the society and it has been seen
that agreement should be considered that focuses on enhancing the moral rules which are linked
with the behavior of the person. There are many people who are living in the society and they
think that they can consider their own choices. The theory also links with the social contract
which is known as the old philosophy which tells that moral of the individual should focus on
contract that can assist to help the living standard of the society. The social contracts also not
emphasize on the laws but focuses on raising hands (Campbell, 2016).
In America, the focus by the US constitution to set out the government so that steps can be taken
which are not taken. The people who are living in America also agrees with the government
which considers the overall obligations that are moral and also the political obligations that can
be seen in reference to the social contract. It can help to maintain safety of the people and also
focuses on maintaining the overall living standard of the people.
According to the case study, the social contract also states that people who are living in the
society should consider the moral rules and also the rule of behavior. The social contract also is
not related with collecting the data. It can be analyzed that researchers collected the data without
taking permission from the students and also the information is taken into research work. The
overall contract related with the society should be managed. The social contract theories is not
taken into consideration in relation to the case study as it has been analyzed that students have no
information which is collected for the research purpose (Skyrms, 2014).
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Students and Sensors: Data, education, privacy, and research
Conclusion and recommendations
By focusing on the entire case, it can be analyzed that it is important to maintain the privacy
issue of the students. The case also tells that with student number the universities are also
emphasizing on collecting the information of the students like the activities which they do on
daily basis. The CatCard of the students are discussed in this case study by emphasizing on the
routine operations of the students and also it helps to search the linkage between the students.
The information which is gathered of the students is taken without giving knowledge to the
students. Also, there are various ethical problems that are related with this case. So, it is
important to give information to the students so that they can know about the information which
is taken by the people.
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Students and Sensors: Data, education, privacy, and research
References
Austin, N. (2017). Normative Virtue Theory in Theological Ethics. Religions, 8(10), 211.
Campbell, T. D. (2016). The legal theory of ethical positivism. Routledge.
Michaelson, C., Pratt, M. G., Grant, A. M., & Dunn, C. P. (2014). Meaningful work: Connecting
business ethics and organization studies. Journal of Business Ethics, 121(1), 77-90.
Neubert, M. J., & Dyck, B. (2016). Developing sustainable management theory: goal-setting
theory based in virtue. Management Decision, 54(2), 304-320.
Raicu, I. (2018). Students and Sensors: Data, education, privacy, and research. Retrieved from
https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/internet-ethics/resources/students-and-sensors-data-
education-privacy-and-research/
Skyrms, B. (2014). Evolution of the social contract. Cambridge University Press.
Vadastreanu, A. M., Maier, D., & Maier, A. (2015). Is the success possible in compliance with
ethics and deontology in business. Procedia Economics and Finance, 26(15), 1068-1073.
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