Analyzing Professional Issues in Information Technology: Case Studies

This assignment delves into several key professional issues within the realm of Information Technology. It begins with a case study analyzing the ethical considerations of usability testing, specifically focusing on the Australian Computer Society Code of Ethics and the importance of voluntary participation by internal employees. The assignment then examines the concept of persuasion, its application in communication, and the use of linguistic devices to influence others. It further explores the psychological phenomenon of procrastination, providing examples and discussing its negative impacts on task completion. Finally, the assignment reflects on the development of time management skills, emphasizing the importance of planning and organization to enhance productivity and balance various responsibilities, such as academic and extracurricular activities. References to relevant literature are included to support the analysis and arguments presented.

1Running Head: PROFESSIONAL ISSUES OF IT
PROFESSIONAL ISSUES OF IT
Student’s Name
Institution

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PROFESSIONAL ISSUES OF IT
Case Study 1
ACS values are the Australian Computer Society Code of Ethics values. The
society was formed to ensure that the computer society community in Australia
follows a specific code of ethics (Hayes, 2004). The code of ethics are values and
ideals which have been set for the purpose of ensuring individuals maintain and
advance the dignity, honor and effectiveness of the information technology
profession. From the case study we know that the website development team wanted
to perform a usability test on a website using internal and external participants. We
shall mainly focus on the method of usability testing which is based on the internal
participants. Based on the terms of employment the internal participants can be
mandated to participate in the usability testing. However is it ethical or correct to
make the employees participate in the usability testing or should it be a voluntary
action. The ACS code of ethics and specifically professionalism is a key aspect in
ensuring its members maintain the code. In our case the web development team
should be professional in the way they undertake their duties most especially the
usability testing which involves internal participants (Ridge, Weckert & Lucas, 2013).
They should ensure that the feedback they get from the internal participants is very
accurate and unbias. For this to happen the participants need to feel at ease and not
under pressure. They need to be offered the opportunity of being part of the usability
testing voluntarily rather than being mandated to do it (Healy, 2013).
The quality of life in relation to usability testing can be enhanced by ensuring

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that the participants are always allowed to share their honest opinions without any
fear of consequences that may befall them later. If the feedback they give after
participating in the testing is honest they can enable the web development team to
improve on various aspects which will make the website more user friendly and will
enable both internal and external users to enjoy using the website and get optimum
results and information from using the website.
Case Study 2
Persuasion is a term used to express the extent of influence that can be exercised
on an individual. When using persuasion an individual attempts to influence another
persons attitudes, beliefs, motivations and intentions (Gass & Selter, 2010). Effective
persuasion is exercising this skill to ensure that it has an impact on the individual or
people you are addressing. Effective persuasion is best exercised through words.
People talk to you or address you in an effort to ensure they can persuade you to
fulfill their goals or communicate a message. The language game is the use of words
or a language such as English to ensure one is able to effectively persuade another
individual. The speaker attempts to win the language game by persuading the listeners
to forgive them for all the problems and pain which had befallen them. The speaker
also uses the language game by emphasizing on various aspects such as the promise
of a better future which will happen if the ingenious people forgive them and work
together with them to grow their Country (Fautsch, 2007) . The linguistic devices the
speaker uses include personification where he attributed a human quality to an idea
when he says they should be forgiven and be part of healing of a nation. Repetition

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has also been used as a linguistic device to emphasize the point of asking for
forgiveness. The speaker places a lot of emphasis on forgiveness because he wants to
apologize for all the misfortunes which have befallen the indigenous people of
Australia in the past. He says that by forgiving them and working together without
caring about the origin of a people, will enable the future of the Country brighter and
better. Symbolism is used when the speaker mentions the healing of a nation and
working together as a chance of people being better in future and co-existing well
together (Higgins & Walker, 2012). The speaker also uses a specific choice of words
in making his message clear. The part of the speech where speaker mentions the
people of Australia no matter their origin are equal partners and have equal
opportunities for them to shape the future of Australia. Symbolism has also been
observed when the speaker mentions forgiveness and working together will symbolize
the unity of the people of the Country. This will encourage peace and collaboration
that will ensure the Country is prosperous in future,
Question 3
Procrastination is when an individual tries to avoid doing a task which needs to
be done. Procrastination usually happens when a task needs to be done and is not
started on until the deadline for completion of the task is very close (Schraw, Wadkins
& Olafson, 2007). Procrastination can be observed in various aspects of life such as
going for a medical or dental checkup. People usually procrastinate of doing such a
task until the last minute when they get sick or they experience a severe tooth ache.
The example of a dental visit in relation to procrastination is when you get a sudden

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tooth ache when going on with your normal life. The toothache is felt in on and off
while eating or drinking cold water. You then say that you need to visit the dentist but
somehow you keep postponing the visit. It can be due to various reasons such as being
too busy or being afraid of visiting the dentist. You end up visiting the dentist at the
last minute after the toothache becomes very severe. Procrastination causes a lot of
inconveniences in the future and therefore it is imperative that we avoid it and always
accomplish tasks in good time.
Question 4
In the recent past I have been able to learn good time management skills. Time
management is simply the ability of an individual to be able to effectively use their
time effectively to accomplish the tasks in which they have set. Time management is a
critical skill for every individual to have and master (Fowler, 2012). If we are able to
manage our time well we can be able to participate in many activities and be more
productive. A good example is when students are about to do their exams. When
students are in school they have a hard time managing their time. This is usually
because they have a lot of extra curricular activities which they give priority as
compared to most of their school duties. It is a normal phenomenon to find students
during the days towards an exam carrying many books, having sleepless nights and
filling the library as they try to catch up on their studies and be ready for their exams
(Baer, 2014). It is good for students to read and also engage in extra curricular
activities. It is better if they can manage their time well so that they are able to
manage both of these tasks. It is important that we are able to manage our time so that

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we do not do a lot of things at the last minute. Procrastination is also very bad when in
school. Postponing assignments is also a very bad thing because students end up
having to do a lot of last minute work to accomplish the needed task. The best way to
gain and maintain good time management skills is always having a plan
(Morgenstern, 2004). When we plan the tasks we shall be doing we are able to
schedule the needed time to accomplish each of those tasks. When we have good time
management skills we can be able to meet all the needed school requirements and
assignments on time while also finding time to engage in extra curricular activities.
These skills being enforced can also be replicated in an individual’s life. Someone
who is able to have good time management skills is able to organize their life and
achieve a lot of things in their lives.

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References
Baer D. (2014). Dwight Eisenhower Nailed A Major Insight About Productivity.
Business Insider.
Fautsch L. (2007). Persuasion. The American Salesman. 52(1): 13-16.
Fowler N. (2012). App of the week: Eisenhower, the to do list to keep you on task.
Venture Village.
Gass R. H. & Selter J. S. (2010). Persuasion, social influence and compliance gaining.
Boston, Allyn & Bacon. p. 33.
Hayes S. (2004). US body sets up here to rival ACS. The Australian.
Healy T. (2013). IT profession deserves better than the ACS. Sydney Morning Herald.
Fairfax Media. IT Pro.
Higgins C. & Walker R. (2012). Ethos, logos, pathos: Strategies of persuasion in
social/environmental reports. Accounting Forum. 36: 194-208.
Morgenstern J. (2004). Time Management from the Inside Out: The Foolproof System
for Taking Control of Your Schedule and Your Life. Owl Books. p. 285.
Ridge J., Weckert J, & Lucas R. (2013). The maturing of a profession. Chapter 2.
Professionalism in the information and communication technology industry.
Australian National University. Pp. 45-48.
Schraw G., Wadkins T. & Olafson L. (2007). Doing the Things We Do: A grounded
Theory of Academic Procrastination. Journal of Educational Psychology. 99: 12-

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25.