Structure for Evaluating an Ethical Dilemma
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Describe the action(s) that raises an ethical question.
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Determine whether the action conflicts with relevant scientific conventions.
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Articulate any relevant social or professional responsibilities that
the actor has in the situation.
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Discuss what kinds of alternative actions would be ethically prohibited
and why they would be.
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Identify a series of alternative actions that would be ethically permitted
in the specific case and discuss why they would be acceptable.
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Identify which actions would be ethically encouraged in the case and
discuss why certain actions are better than others.
from Stern and Elliot (1997) The Ethics of Scientific Research: A
guidebook for Course Development. Hanover, NH: University Press of
New England
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