PHILOSOPHY CLASS

Engineering Ethics Dr. James A. Stieb

Philosophy 315-942,943,004 Hagerty Lower Level

Course Syllabus 267-909-5679

Fall 2014/5 stiebja@drexel.edu

Hours: T/Th 2-3 pm

Course Information:

Engineering Ethics, Sections 942, 943 Online BBVista, learning.drexel.edu , and section 004, PSRC 104.

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Required Texts:

Ethics, Technology and Engineering: an Introduction., Ninth Edition. Van De Poel

and Royakers. Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.  ISBN-10: 1444330950  ISBN-13: 978-1444330953

Deborah G. Johnson ed., Ethical Issues in Engineering. (Prentice Hall,

1991). ISBN-10: 0132905787 ISBN-13: 978-0132905787

Recommended Text:

James Rachels. The Elements of Moral Philosophy 4th, 5th or 6th Edition, 2006-2010.  ISBN-10: 0073125474 ISBN-13: 978-0073125473 (also on reserve).

*Some material will be on ereserve or available through Drexel’s databases.

Course Description: This is a philosophy course in engineering ethics. Philosophy argues for conclusions based on premises and ethics studies theories about what is good or bad, right or wrong in human conduct. Engineering is of course a kind of human conduct–the complicated story about building things. So, add philosophy and ethics, and you get engineering ethics: the study of theories about how we should conduct ourselves when building things. It is a branch of applied and professional ethics. And it has a number of problems that we may actually deal with. Here are two:

First problem: methodology. People preeminently approach EE through a “deductive” case-study method that I find question begging. Lots of case studies tell us what is the case in contemporary engineering, but I’d rather know what should be and how to get there. I think we should start with the individual herself and ask what she wants and how to get it. Starting with the person herself is perhaps the only way to actually make anyone more moral. Maybe.

Second problem: goals. Almost everyone assumes ethics means doing good for others. Engineering/business’ only purpose is to serve others. I don’t think anyone or anything’s purpose could possibly be to serve others. I argue that ethics means seeking happiness or true self-interest. But of course we will need to distinguish this from the selfishness and greed people use to vilify engineering and business.

The Rachel’s text provides a simple reflection on ethics and ethical types like egoism, utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, religion and so on. It’s good philosophy in the sense that it is, in places, either importantly right or importantly wrong. The Johnson anthology is more properly applied philosophy at its best: controversial and critical. Firmage and Greenwood battle it out over professionalism, Baron and Duska over loyalty and whistle blowing, Friedman over social responsibilities, Ladd over codes, and so on. Van De Poel

and Royakers write a “canonical” or orthodox textbook that turns out to be rather controversial in places. Meanwhile, a number of recent articles by leading researchers (many of them engineers) bring the subject up to date. This includes an additional topic on the morality of weapons engineering that I like to call “War and Peace.”

[Online class will do discussion posts not presentations] Students will present with my aid on several key topics including morality, social responsibility, codes, whistle blowing, loyalty, professionalism, safety and weapons engineering. Feel free to bring in whatever material you find useful for the topics (but also look at the assigned material). Hopefully we can have some computer/movie-aided fun while learning something too!

 

Course Objectives: At the end of this course students should be able to

1) Recognize and appreciate some of the most important moral and philosophical approaches to engineering ethics debacles, both in theory and in practice.

2) Understand a number of examples or case studies raising moral issues within engineering ethics.

3) Argue effectively about engineering ethics issues.

Course Requirements:

1. Class Participation, Attendance ,

2. One (min 5 page) paper (I will accept drafts for revision) 33%

3. Two brief examinations (midterm and final) 66%

1. Class Participation and Attendance. Do not miss more than 4 days (two weeks) or I will depreciate your grade by + or – for each day missed after that. Students in the face-to-face class will choose material to present in class. [Discussion Board –Online class only. I want each student to write one discussion post each week disagreeing with one of the assigned readings or with another student’s post. Please write 1 to 2 paragraphs explaining what you are disagreeing with. Then 1 to 2 paragraphs explaining why you disagree.]

2. The term paper. Choose a paper topic amongst those covered in the syllabus. The main requirement is that your paper has to do with business, ethics, and our texts. I favor taking copious notes in your texts (the bookstore doesn’t give you much back anyway), underline, doodle, scrawl, so that you have a lot of objections to turn into a paper.

In this paper you will argue your conclusion against opposition. So, get to the point right away. For example, the first couple of lines: “According to <opposition> <conclusion>.” I disagree. In this paper I will argue: <opposite conclusion>.” Above all, have and start with at least one paper you disagree with. After an explicit introduction (in this paper I will argue,etc.), spend 1-2 pgs simply explaining and QUOTING your opposition. Then start ARGUING against them. No just saying “I disagree” isn’t good enough. For this course, if you don’t know, can’t explain, or just have bad reasons for disagreeing; then you don’t disagree.

You should talk about something that is a real issue: a controversy with at least two sides. You should TAKE A SIDE, and in doing so you are not representing any given author YOU ARE REPRESENTING YOURSELF. I want YOUR ARGUMENT, though you can use whomever (even an outside source or two) to help you out. Your paper should be at least 50% in class text sources and be RELATED ESSENTIALLY TO ENGINEERING PRACTICE (even if its fundamentally on a philosophical position). An easy way to do this is to bring in a case study or two. USE ACTUAL REAL LIFE EXAMPLES (like Enron or Microsoft) in place of hypothetical examples (like suppose a Ceo…) whenever possible.

Everyone will probably have to make at least some revisions to the paper. Final copies of the term paper are due on paper and by email by the last day of class, class time.

 

3. The midterm and final. Each student should submit short answer questions for the midterm (weeks 2,3,4) and the final (weeks 6-9), preferably two questions per unit in that week. These should be answerable in 1-1.5 pps. For example, for the midterm, you would write questions on ethical theory, professionalism, and codes. I will select a list of questions for the midterm and final or if need be supply some questions of my own. Otherwise, I will make up the questions yourself. You should also read the texts carefully, consult with your roommate or outside faculty, or whatever you have to do (short of something unethical) to get the answers. NB: Please refer to chapter 4 of Royakkers and Van De Poel for what is meant by “evaluate an argument.” Basically, give the argument and assess its soundness and validity.

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Yes, there is a lot of reading and writing in this class. It is a philosophy class. Feel free to give the folks at the Writing Center something to do, or use the wonderful world wide web. Here’s a few sites you might check out.

1. Markulla Center for Applied Ethics:

2. Ethics Updates

3. IEEE Spectrum:

4. NSPE Home page:

5. Reason Online:

Electronic Access. Please utilize the course’s blackboard page . Students are responsible for knowing how to use blackboard. Use only your Drexel email address for all correspondence. Assignments without your complete name and section may not be accepted. Students may use word processors for in-class exams and other electronic devices such as computers, translators, recorders, and such in-class at my discretion. I answer emails within 2 weeks (usually much sooner). Please contact me again if you have not heard back within 2 weeks. My cell is also on the syllabus so feel free to call.

Final Exam when scheduled by Registrar. Do not make plans or travel arrangements until we have been informed of the date and time. Even if we have a take-home examination it will be due on the assigned date. Assignments and course requirements may be modified as necessary in terms of content. Deadlines will remain the same.

Drexel University Policy on Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is the inclusion of someone else’s words, ideas, or data as one’s own work. When a student submits work for credit that includes the words, ideas, or data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references, and, if verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks as well. By placing his/her name on work submitted for credit, the student certifies the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgments. Plagiarism covers unpublished as well as published sources. Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to:

– Quoting an entire piece of written work without acknowledgment of the source

-Using another person’s ideas, opinions, or theory, even if it is completely paraphrased in one’s own words without acknowledgment of the source

-Borrowing facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials that are not clearly common knowledge without acknowledgment of the source

-Copying another student’s essay test answers

– Copying, or allowing another student to copy, a computer file that contains another student’s assignment, and submitting it, in part or in its entirety, as one’s own

-Working together on an assignment, sharing the computer files and programs involved, and then submitting individual copies of the assignment as one’s own individual work

Students are urged to consult with individual faculty members, academic departments, or recognized handbooks in their field if in doubt regarding issues of plagiarism.

Drexel University Policy on Cheating:

Cheating is an act or an attempted act of deception by which a student seeks to misrepresent that he or she has mastered information on an academic exercise that he/she has not mastered. Examples include, but are not limited to:

-Copying from another student’s test paper

-Allowing another student to copy from a test paper

-Unauthorized use of course textbook or other materials, such as a notebook to complete a test or other assignment from the faculty member

-Collaborating on a test, quiz, or other project with any other person(s) without authorization

-Using or processing specifically prepared materials during a test such as notes, formula lists, notes written on the students clothing, etc. that are not authorized

Taking a test for someone else or permitting someone else to take a test for you

Statement for Students with Disabilities:

Drexel University is committed to providing students who have disabilities with an equal opportunity to fully participate in its courses, Co-Op employment, programs, and activities. Students of Drexel University who have a disability and need accommodations in order to attain equal access must register with the Office of Disability Resources (“ODR”). This MUST be done prior to the midterm! AVL’s are issued by the Office of Disability Services (ODS). For additional information, contact ODS at http://www.drexel.edu/oed/disabilityResources/students/

Tentative Schedule. These are most of the readings I want you to concentrate on, and roughly when. You will be responsible for making sure that each person in your group has by themselves a decent amount to present on, although you may present together. You need not cover everything in a particular week and may bring in additional material but CHECK WITH ME FIRST.

 

Week One: Introductory Material.

1. Johnson Ed., John Ladd “Collective and Moral Responsibility in Engineering: Some Questions” 26-39.

2. Rachels “What is Morality,” 1-19. Review the rest of the chapters esp psych ethical egoism, utilitarianism and absolute rules.

3. Van De Poel and Royakkers, “Introduction” 7-9; Van De Poel and Royakkers, chapter four 109-132.

4. Look up “prisoner’s dilemma” on wikipedia compare with this clip from Beautiful Mind where Nash challenges ethical egoism and Adam Smith.

5. (optional) James A. Stieb “prisoner’s dilemma” from “Social Responsibility Revisited” (on ereserve).

6. Kantian Ethics

7. Rand, Mike Wallace Interview

 

Week Two: Moral Philosophy.

1. (Overview) Charles Harris, “The Good Engineer; Giving Virtue its Due in Engineering Ethics” (on ereserve).

2. James A. Stieb “On ‘Bettering Humanity’ In Science and Engineering Education” (on ereserve).

3. Rachels, overview chapters 5-7, 9-10, “Ethical and Psychological Egoism,” “Are Their Absolute Rules,” “Kant and Respect for Persons”; Utilitarianism for and against.

4. Van De Poel and Royakkers, chapter 3., 65-108.

5. Ursula K. Leguin. “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”

 

Week Three: Professionalism and other Theories.

1. Stieb “Understanding Engineering Professionalism; A Reflection on the Rights of Engineers” (on ereserve).

2. Johnson (Ed.) D. Allan Firmage “The Definition of a Profession,” 63-66;

3. Johnson (Ed.) Ernest Greenwood “Attributes of a Profession,” 67-?

4. (Optional) Michael Davis “Is there a Profession of Engineering?” (on ereserve).

5. Smith et al., “The Responsibilities of Engineers” (on ereserve)

6. Harris, Pritchard and Rabbins “Why Professional Ethics?” 1-12 (on ereseve)

7. Van De Poel and Royakkers, ch 1., 9-30.

8. Donald Trump: A Professional?

9. (Optional) Otto J. Helweg, P.E. “Professional Ethics Without Religion” (use explorer).

 

Week Four: Codes and Cases.

1. Johnson (Ed.) “Engineers’ Creed (and NSPE Codes) or Johnson ed., pp. 93-104

2. J. F. Lozano “Developing an Ethical Code for Engineers: The Discursive Approach” (on ereserve).

3. Johnson (Ed.) John Ladd, “The Quest for a Code of Professional Ethics: An Intellectual and Moral Confusion” 130-137.

4. Van De Poel and Royakkers, ch. 2., 31-64.

5. Boy Scout Code .

6. George Carlin on the 10 Commandments

Week Five: Review and Examishness.

 

Week Six: Social Responsibility vs. Selfishness.

1. Vanusupa et al, “Global Challenges as Inspiration: A Classroom Strategy to Foster Social Responsibility” (on ereserve).

2. Johnson (Ed.) Milton Friedman “The Social Responsibilitiy of Business is to Increase Its Profits,” 78-84;

3. Johnson (Ed.) Robert Hannaford “The Theoretical Twist To Irresponsibility in Business”85-92;

4. Eric Katz “The Nazi Engineers: Reflection on Technological Ethics in Hell” (on ereserve).

5. (optional) James Stieb “Social Responsibility Within and Without Self Interest” (on ereserve).

6. (optional) Friedman, Mackey and Rogers “Rethinking the Social Responsibility of Business”

7. Compare Enron & Malden Mills

8. (optional) More Friedman

 

Week Seven: Safety

1. Johnson (Ed.) Michael McFarland “The Public Health, Safety and Welfare: An Analysis of the Social Responsibilities of Engineers” 159-174

2. Ethan T. Wilding “Framing Ethical Acceptability: The Problem of Nuclear Waste in Canada” (on erseserve).

3. Jameson Wetmore “Engineering with Uncertainty; Monitoring Air Bag Performance” (on ereserve).

4. Martin and Schinzinger “Engineering as Social Experimentation” (in Johnson anthology).

5. Van De Poel and Royakkers, ch 6., 161-197.

6. Japan earthquake

7. BP Oil Spill

8. “The Ford Pinto Crash”

9. Pinto commercial:

10. Pinto Blowup:

11. Challenger

12. Tocoma Narrows

13. Katrina:

14. World Trade Center

15. Vic Tang “Normal Accidents by Charles Perrow (book review)”

16. Perrow’s New Book The Next Catastrophe

17. Crash Test Dummies

 

Week Eight: Employee Rights and Responsibilities: Loyalty & Whistleblowing.

1. Johnson (Ed.) Marcia Baron “The Moral Status of Loyalty” 225-240

2. Johnson (Ed.) Ronald Duska “Whistle Blowing and Employee Loyalty” 241-247.

3. James A. Stieb “Clearing Up the Egoist Difficulty with Loyalty” (on ereserve).

4. Juan M. Elegido “Does it Make Sense to be a Loyal Employee?” (on ereserve).

5. Johnson (Ed.) Richard DeGeorge “Ethical Responsibilities of Engineers in large Organizations: The Pinto Case” 175-186

6. Coast Guard Whistleblowing:. Compare with loyalty in movie “The Informant”

7. Edward Snowden Whistleblowing.

 

Week Nine: War and Peace.

1. George D. Catalano “Promoting Peace in Engineering Education: Modifying the ABET Criteria” (on ereserve).

2. David Haws. “Engineering a Just War” (link on webct, pps 365-366).

3. Van De Poel and Royakkers, ch 10., 277-300.

4. Robert Sparrow “Building a Better WarBot: Ethical Issues in the Design of Unmanned Systems for Military Applications” (on ereserve)

5. (optional) Aaron Fichtelberg “Applying the Rules of Just War Theory to Engineers in the Arms Industry” (on ereserve).

6. (optional) James A. Stieb. “Three Philosophical Difficulties with ‘Preemptive Wars’”

7. Battle For Libya

8. Cluster Bombs.

9. Engineers fortify road in Iraq

10. Robert MacNamara on proportionality

The University grading system is as follows: http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/grades.asp

Grade Grade Points
A+ 4.0
A 4.0
A- 3.67
B+ 3.33
B 3.0
B- 2.67
C+ 2.33
C 2.0
C- 1.67
D+ 1.33
D 1.0
F 0.0
AU 0.0
INC 0.0

Grading: For most purposes, I use standard + or – Grades of A, A-, B+, B . . . and so on, corresponding approximately with the following pattern: 95-100% = A, 90-94% =A-, 87-89% = B+, 84%-86% = B, 80%-84% = B-, and so on. A=outstanding/exceptional; B=Good, some nice points; C=Fair, average, does the job; D=You tried, but not so good, significant problems; F=You didn’t even try or this really isn’t the assignment. Please allow up to two weeks for graded assignments (excluding discussion posts). If you are unsure of your grade after two weeks from an assignment please contact me asap.

Instructor Profile:

James Stieb is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor of Philosophy at Drexel University. He has nearly 15 years of experience teaching Ethics, Applied Ethics, Logic and Critical Reasoning. Dr. Stieb received his undergraduate degree in liberal arts from St. John’s College, and in philosophy from the University of Colorado at Boulder and his doctoral degree in philosophy from Temple University. His current research interests include supporting the equation of virtue ethics and ethical egoism, showing that there are no inevitable conflicts in loyalty, and in general showing the relevance of philosophy and metaphysics to large organizations. He recently wrote an article titled “Understanding Engineering Professonalism; A Reflection on the Rights of Engineers” which appeared in Science and Engineering Ethics .

Student’s Responsibilities:

Incomplete Policy:

At the discretion of an instructor, the grade of “INC (Incomplete) may be reported in place of a letter grade for any course in which the instructor deems that the work has not been completed and that the student can complete the work within an agreed upon time, which must be in accordance with University policy and the statute of limitations governing grade changes.

The conditions and terms for the completion of the course are at the discretion of the instructor and are to be mutally agreed up on by the instructor of the course and the student.

If a final grade is not submitted within one year, the “INC” will turn into an “F” on the student’s record and will be reflected in the students GPA. The grade of “F” will be considered a permanent grade unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Dropping a course or withdrawing from a course:

Once a student is registered, it is his/her responsibility to attend the course, drop the course, or withdraw from the course. Dropping and withdrawing are distinct actions governed by different policies and impact a student’s course enrollment status.

· Dropping a course causes the name of the course to disappear from the student’s transcript.

· Withdrawing from a course causes both the name of the course and the grade of “W” to appear on the student’s transcript. Before withdrawing from a course, students should consult the instructor.

In either case, a signed form is required. There are billing consequences and academic record impact during this process; therefore, the student must attend to the proper procedure when dropping or withdrawing from a course. All students must obtain the instructor’s and the Academic Advisor’s signature on the “Add/ Drop/Withdraw” form, which is available online at http://www.drexel.edu/src/forms.asp or in the lobby of Goodwin College.

Financial/academic record impact for Drop/Withdrawal:

Dropping or withdrawing from courses can have serious financial and academic implications, possibly affecting billing, financial aid, VA benefits, eligibility to participate in NCAA athletic events, and for foreign students, immigration status. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their Academic Advisor and financial aid counselor before withdrawing. Students are considered the responsible parties for any/all transactions processed against their academic record.

Below is the financial and academic record impact of course drop/withdrawal.

DROP/WITHDRAW PROCEDURES

To drop or withdraw a course for which you have paid or contracted:

· Complete drop/withdraw form and obtain instructor and Academic Advisor signatures

· Notify your funding source (if appropriate)

REFUND SCHEDULE

6 week course – drop/withdraw period 8&10 wk course–

drop/withdraw period

Tuition Refund Record Impact Academic Record
Before1st class session begins Before 1st class session

begins

100% No Record Tuition Refund
By 5pm of day of 1st class session By 5pm of day of 1st

or 2nd class session

100% No Record Tuition Refund
By 5pm of day of 2nd class session By 5pm of day of 3rd

class session

50% “W” on Record
N/A By 5pm of day of 4th

and 5th class session

25% “W” on Record Tuition Refund
By 5pm of day of 3rd class session By 5pm of day of 6th

class session

0% “W” on Record Tuition Refund

Course withdraws will not be processed after the 3rd class session of a 6-week course or after the 6th class session of an 8- and 10-week course. As shown above, withdrawal has financial and academic implications.

Financial Obligations:

Students who do not satisfy financial obligations to Drexel University are not entitled to a grade by the instructor or the University.

The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus if circumstances warrant. All changes will be provided to students in writing.

 
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Help With Discussion Answer 1

Nurse Education Today 31 (2011) e1–e7

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Nurse Education Today

j ourna l homepage: www.e lsev ie r.com/nedt

Developing a framework for critiquing health research: An early evaluation

Kay Caldwell a,⁎, Lynne Henshaw a,1, Georgina Taylor b,2

a School of Health and Social Sciences, Middlesex University, The Archway Campus, Highgate Hill, London N19 5LW, UK b School of Health and Social Sciences, Middlesex University, Hendon Campus, The Burroughs, Hendon, NW4 4BT, UK

⁎ Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 20 8411 6458; fax E-mail addresses: k.caldwell@mdx.ac.uk (K. Caldwel

(L. Henshaw), g.taylor@mdx.ac.uk (G. Taylor). 1 Tel.: +44 20 8411 6475; fax: +44 20 8411 4669. 2 Tel.: +44 20 8411 5383.

0260-6917/$ – see front matter © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. Al doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2010.11.025

s u m m a r y

a r t i c l e i n f o 

Article history: Accepted 25 November 2010

Keywords: Research critique Research evaluation Critical appraisal

A new framework for critiquing health-related research is presented in this article. More commonly used existing frameworks tend to have been formulated within the quantitative research paradigm. While frameworks for critiquing qualitative research exist, they are often complex and more suited to the needs of students engaged in advanced levels of study. The framework presented in this article addresses both quantitative and qualitative research within one list of questions. It is argued that this assists the ‘novice’ student of nursing and health-related research with learning about the two approaches to research by giving consideration to aspects of the research process that are common to both approaches and also that differ between quantitative and qualitative research.

: +44 20 8411 4669. l), l.henshaw@mdx.ac.uk

l rights reserved.

© 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Introduction

When undertaking an undergraduate programme in nursing, as in many other academic disciplines, students are required to demon- strate the ability to read, understand and critique subject related research reports. Nursing research was at one time guided by the ‘medical model.’ However, though this model remains influential, Polgar and Thomas (2008) suggest that there have been changes in the role and status of health professionals outside of medicine that have brought different perspectives, and require different approaches to research. A more holistic approach now influences how health care is conceptualized, and how research is conducted by nurses, and the methodology of social research has become an accepted part of nursing research. However, this does not mean that nursing students can focus solely on social science methodologies, they also need to be able to understand, evaluate and utilise research that stems from the more positivist approach that has driven (and continues to do so) a significant volume of health research relevant to their practice.

Green and Thorogood (2009, p5) state that “health research includes any study addressing understandings of human health, health behaviour or health services, whatever the disciplinary starting point.” They further suggest that health research may expand knowledge of society and health, or address an existing health care problem. Undergraduates of nursing therefore have to consider health research in its broadest sense.

A commonmethod of assessing understanding both of nursing and the research methodologies utilized within nursing, is the presenta- tion of a detailed critique of a published research report. Our experience in teaching nursing students across a range of pro- grammes and academic levels has taught us how difficult many of our students find this task, and how limited and inaccessible they found many existing analytical tools to be. With the help of funding from the Learning Development Unit we undertook a project to develop, implement and evaluate a research critique framework that nursing students could use as a guide.

This article analyses the content of frameworks and guidelines that have commonly been used by nurses to engage in a critique of a research report and then presents a new framework that has been specifically developed to aid their knowledge and understanding of the range of methodologies relevant to nurses. This new framework is currently being used to assist teaching and learning activities relating to the critical appraisal of published research by our nursing students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. As such, it is still in the developmental stage and as teachers we continue to reflect on the application of this framework to our teaching. Feedback from students is essential to this development and the article presents formative evaluations from students who have been involved in learning activities during this developmental stage of the framework. This evaluation is on-going and we would welcome comments from our colleagues.

The need for able and competent nurses is self-evident. Oneway of ensuring competence is through evidence based practice and nurses, like all health professionals, are expected to be intelligent consumers of research, entailing the ability to read, understand and apply published research (Murdaugh et al., 1981). A change of culture arose following the move of colleges of nursing into the higher education sector, resulting in an educational culture where critical enquiry and

 

 

e2 K. Caldwell et al. / Nurse Education Today 31 (2011) e1–e7

evidence-based practice is accorded greater priority (Benton, 2005). Most students are introduced to research methods and critical appraisal during their undergraduate education, however, McCaughan et al. (2002) report that qualified nurses reported problems in interpreting and using research. Valente (2003) high- lighted how nurses who had been introduced to a model of essential criteria for analysing sections of a research report could use research to improve patient care.

Work in the field of health and health care is multi-disciplinary and involves a variety of approaches to research. Furthermore the range of such research is wide, from concerns with the relationship between the health needs of a population to aspects of the provision of health services (Bowling, 2009). Government policy and profes- sional guidance insist that professional practice should be based on evidence (Gomm and Davies, 2000).

Given the primacy of the use of evidence in nursing, it is important that students are enabled to critique published research in order to determine the usefulness of that research in their chosen field of work. By ‘critique’wemean the ability to critically appraise published research by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the research and forming judgements concerning its overall quality and applica- bility. Coughlan et al. (2007) and Ryan et al. (2007) have highlighted that the ability to critically appraise research and apply this to the identification of best practice is a key component of nursing practice. The need for nurses to be competent in delivering evidence-based care is explicit in current Nursing andMidwifery Council standards for pre-registration nursing (NMC, 2004) and remain so in the proposed standards for education currently being consulted on (NMC, 2010).

Nursing research, and research that is relevant to nurses, can be of a quantitative or qualitative nature: both research approaches provide valuable information for the discipline of nursing and often complement each other. As a first step in developing a new framework we reviewed what was currently available and accessible to our students.

Literature review

Traditionally, many of the available frameworks for conducting critical review were written within the quantitative paradigm, resulting in a tendency to evaluate qualitative research against criteria appropriate for quantitative research (Sandelowski, 1986; Sandelowski and Barroso, 2002). Use of a quantitative framework can thus lead to unjustified criticism of qualitative research, for example, quantitative frameworks for critique will direct students to raise questions concerning reliability and validity, rather than confirmability, depend- ability, credibility and transferability (Miles and Huberman, 1984). These activities may lead to students appropriating the language of quantitative researchwhen critiquing qualitative research, and can only serve to perpetuate the view of qualitative research as a ‘soft science’ and detract from its value as a research approach in its own right that aims to acquire information that is different from that acquired by quantitative research.

A review of literature that might be readily accessible to nursing students identified various frameworks and sets of guidelines for critical review. In general, these tend to reflect the philosophies of the respective research approaches in that guidelines for quantitative research tend to be in the form of checklists, whereas guidelines for qualitative research tend to be more discursive. However, it is important that approaches to critical review are now acknowledging the value of the two research paradigms, as well as the similarities and differences that arise when conducting critical appraisal. Some authors use separate chapters for critical appraisal of qualitative and quantitative research (LoBiondo-Wood and Haber, 2002; Craig and Smyth, 2007) while others employ different guidelines, or sets of questions, for evaluating the two research approaches, or different research designs (Gomm et al., 2000; Parahoo, 2006; Nieswiadomy,

2008). Several authors provide a separate series of questions for critiquing quantitative and qualitative research, yet there are some questions that are common to the two approaches (Depoy and Gitlin, 2005; Coughlan et al., 2007; Ryan et al., 2007; Moule and Goodman, 2009; Polit and Beck, 2010).

It is possible to detect a trend of moving away from separate frameworks and towards convergence. Ingham-Broomfield (2008) presents a framework that does not intend to separate qualitative and quantitative paradigms, but to assist the user to make ‘broad observations.’ This framework provides a single set of questions that can be applied to any research report, but in doing this in some instances presents the question in a way that might appear to be non- applicable by using terminology that is related to one paradigm rather than both. In a similar vein, Burns and Grove (2007) introduce ‘principles of intellectual research critique,’ which contain 8 broad questions, relating to the significance of the problem, strengths and weaknesses, and the soundness of the chosen methodology. These authors also include generic steps in conducting a research critique, before moving on to separate sets of guidelines for quantitative and qualitative research. In 2009, Burns and Grove published an overview of broad guidelines for conducting critical appraisals of research, including guidance for reading and evaluating the entire study; examining the research; considering the clinical and educational background of the authors and identifying strengths and weaknesses (Burns and Grove, 2009, p602). Again, they then provide detailed separate guidelines for critiquing quantitative and qualitative re- search. Likewise, Greenhalgh’s (2006) book, aimed at medical professionals, includes a chapter addressing general guidelines for critical evaluation of published research, but also includes separate chapters and checklists for different approaches.

There has been considerable debate concerning whether quanti- tative and qualitative research can be assessed using the same criteria (Mays and Pope, 2000; Mays et al., 2005), and a developing appreciation that there is a growing presence of qualitative research in medical science (Collinbridge, 2008). Booth (2006) acknowledges the differences between quantitative and qualitative research, but argues that both approaches should pose and answer the same questions:

• What is the message? • Can I believe it? • Can I generalise?

(Booth, 2006, p116)

This model appears to follow that of Bowling and Ebrahim (2005) who pose similar questions prior to separating guidelines for quantitative and qualitative research. Johnstone (cited in Booth, 2006) claims that, in the light of the growth in research that employs mixed methods, there is a need to establish a common approach between both quantitative and qualitative research. While there are many criteria that will be common to both research approaches such as the identification of an appropriate question, the choice of an appropriate research design, the conduct of a thorough and relevant literature review, there are also discrete areas of difference. For example, variables are not always given operational definitions in qualitative research as sometimes the aim of the research is to seek definitions of the concepts from the viewpoint of the informants.With this in mind, we set out to develop a research critique framework that could be used by students for both qualitative and quantitative studies.

Development of a new framework

Following the review of a range of published critique frameworks, the first step was to develop common features (Table 1). The

 

 

Table 1 Common features of research critique frameworks.

Quantitative Qualitative

Research design Philosophical background Experimental hypothesis Research design Operational definitions Concepts Population Context Sample Sample Sampling Sampling Validity/reliability of data collection Auditability of data collection Data analysis Credibility/confirmability of data analysis Generalizability Transferability

Fig. 1. Research critique framework.

e3K. Caldwell et al. / Nurse Education Today 31 (2011) e1–e7

strengths of the individual critique frameworks were then identified and this enabled the development of a framework that included areas common to both quantitative and qualitative approaches, plus areas that are specific to each. A diagrammatic framework indicates the pathways that are central to both paradigms and those that are different (Fig. 1).

The framework is supported by guidelines that provide an extended explanation of each item.

It begins with questions that address both quantitative and qualitative studies:

• Does the title reflect the content? The title should be informative and indicate the focus of the study. It should allow the reader to easily interpret the content of the study. An inaccurate or misleading title can confuse the reader.

• Are the authors credible? Researchers should hold appropriate academic qualifications and be linked to a professional field relevant to the research.

• Does the abstract summarize the key components? The abstract should provide a short summary of the study. It should include the aim of the study, outline of the methodology and the main findings. The purpose of the abstract is to allow the reader to decide if the study is of interest to them.

• Is the rationale for undertaking the research clearly outlined? The author should present a clear rationale for the research, setting it in context of any current issues and knowledge of the topic to date.

• Is the literature review comprehensive and up-to-date? The literature review should reflect the current state of knowledge relevant to the study and identify any gaps or conflicts. It should include key or classic studies on the topic as well as up to date literature. There should be a balance of primary and secondary sources.

• Is the aim of the research clearly stated? The aim of the study should be clearly stated and should convey what the researcher is setting out to achieve.

• Are all ethical issues identified and addressed? Ethical issues pertinent to the study should be discussed. The researcher should identify how the rights of informants have been protected and informed consent obtained. If the research is conducted within the NHS then there should be indication of Local Research Ethics committee approval.

• Is the methodology identified and justified? The researcher shouldmake clear which research strategy they are adopting, i.e. qualitative or quantitative. A clear rationale for the choice should also be provided, so that the reader can judge whether the chosen strategy is appropriate for the study. At this point the student is asked to look specifically at the questions that apply to the paradigm appropriate to the study they are critiquing (Table 2). To complete their critique, the final questions students need to address are applied to both quantita- tive and qualitative studies.

• Are the results presented in a way that is appropriate and clear?

Presentation of data should be clear, easily interpreted and consistent.

• Is the discussion comprehensive? In quantitative studies the results and discussion are presented separately. In qualitative studies these maybe integrated. What- ever the mode of presentation the researcher should compare and contrast the findings with that of previous research on the topic. The discussion should be balanced and avoid subjectivity.

• Is the conclusion comprehensive? Conclusions must be supported by the findings. The researcher should identify any limitations to the study. There may also be recommendations for further research, or if appropriate, implica- tions for practice in the relevant field.

Use of the framework

The framework is designed to be used both as a teaching tool and as an aid to assessment. One of the motivating factors for producing a framework was to provide clarity and to ensure fairness for those students undertaking a critical review of a research paper for assessment purposes. During our experiences of helping students to perform such critical review we had found that some students had been unable to discriminate between those questions that are appropriate to ask of quantitative research and those that are relevant to qualitative research. We hoped that by placing the questions that are appropriate for the respective research approaches in one single framework we would be able to facilitate the clarification of some of the theoretical positions that inform the respective research approaches and thus, in turn, aid understanding of the need to pose different questions. Thus, the framework can also be used in the classroom for facilitating learning, and as a tool for group activity.

 

 

Fig. 1 (continued).

e4 K. Caldwell et al. / Nurse Education Today 31 (2011) e1–e7

Experience has demonstrated that it is the practice of critically reviewing a research report that is valuable in the learning process. Small group work provides the student with opportunities for rewarding engagements (Quinn, 1995), it allows students to work independently and to discuss and clarify learning. In small groups students have been providedwith both quantitative and qualitative research papers and have used the framework and guidelines to produce their review. Feedback of the review to the larger group allows further discussion and development of knowledge and understanding.

Formative evaluation

The critique framework was used in teaching sessions with two groups of under-graduate nursing and health studies students and one small group of post-graduate students. Nineteen students completed an evaluation form. The aim of this early-stage formative evaluation was to enable us to refine where necessary, especially in relation to any clarification that was seen to be required. The numbers of students responding to particular questions on a 0–5 scale are shown in Table 3. Students were also asked two open questions:

• What did you like most about the framework? • What did you like least about the framework?

What did you like most about the framework?

In response to the first question, the responses can be grouped under two headings: ease of use and practical application.

Ease of use Students liked the presentation of the framework and described it

as straightforward, succinct and precise. The fact that it fits on one page was pleasing to the students and there were also comments relating to its simplicity and brevity.

Practical application Students found the framework easy to follow and understand,

describing it as very easy and very helpful. They described the structure and the questions as good and stated that the framework will help them to advance their skills relating to the research process and methods. It was also felt that the framework provides a useful guide for critiquing research.

What did you like least about the framework?

Some comments suggested that the framework was too short and could be more elaborate, but eight students stated that there was nothing they disliked about it.

 

 

Table 2 Questions relevant to quantitative or qualitative research.

Quantitative Qualitative

Is the design clearly identified and a rationale provided? Are the philosophical background and study design identified and the rationale for choice evident?

The design of the study, e.g. survey, experiment, should be identified and justified. As with the choice of strategy, the reader needs to determine whether the design is appropriate for the research undertaken.

The design of the study, e.g. phenomenology, ethnography, should be identified and the philosophical background and rationale discussed. The reader needs to consider if it is appropriate to meet the aims of the study.

Is there an experimental hypothesis clearly stated and are the key variable identified? Are the major concepts identified? In experimental research, the researcher should provide a hypothesis. This should clearly identify the independent and dependent variables, and state their relationship and the intent of the study. In survey research the researcher may choose to provide a hypothesis, but it is not essential, and alternatively a research question or aim may be provided.

The researcher should make clear what the major concepts are, but they might not define them. The purpose of the study is to explore the concepts from the perspective of the participants.

Is the population identified? Is the context of the study outlined? The population is the total number of units fromwhich the researcher can gather data. It maybe individuals, organisations or documentation. Whatever the unit, it must be clearly identified.

The researcher should provide a description of the context of the study, how the study sites were determined and how the participants were selected.

Is the sample adequately described and reflective of the population? Is the selection of participants described and sampling method identified? Both the method of sampling and the size of the sample should be stated so that the reader can judge whether the sample is representative of the population and sufficiently large to eliminate bias.

Informants are selected for their relevant knowledge or experience. Representativeness is not a criteria and purposive sampling is often used. Sample size may be determined through saturation.

Is the method of data collection valid and reliable? Is the method of data collection auditable? The process of data collection should be described. The tools or instruments must be appropriate to the aims of the study and the researcher should identify how reliability and validity were assured.

Data collection methods should be described, and be appropriate to the aims of the study. The researcher should describe how they have assured that the method is auditable.

Is the method of data analysis valid and reliable? Is the method of data analysis credible and confirmable? The method of data analysis must be described and justified. Any statistical test used should be appropriate for the data involved.

The data analysis strategy should be identified, what processes were used to identify patterns and themes. The researcher should identify how credibility and confirmability have been addressed.

e5K. Caldwell et al. / Nurse Education Today 31 (2011) e1–e7

We recognise that the comments presented here represent the contributions of a small number of self-selecting students and there is a need for a more systematic approach to the evaluation of this framework. This will be undertaken as the framework continues to be used in classroom activities with students. However, the current contributions from students do provide some early indications of the potential value of the framework, and enabled us to have the confidence to install on our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with some minor changes. Overall, the students found the framework easy to use and useful in terms of covering both quantitative and qualitative research and helpful when carrying out a critique of published research. Student responses to the frameworkwere largely positive, suggesting that it is a useful tool in aiding learning about research and in undertaking a research critique. The undergraduate studentswhoused the framework are required to critique a piece of published research for their assignment in their research methods module and it is evident that they felt that the framework would help them with this task.

Students responded favourably to the questions relating to the features that are common to all research, quantitative and qualitative research. However, in this brief evaluation it was not possible to explore this further, for example, by asking themwhy their responses

Table 3 First evaluation of the Framework for Research Critique — undergraduate and postgraduate

How easy was the framework to use? 0=not at all easy; 5=very easy

How useful is it to have a framework covering both quantitative and qualitative research 0=not at all useful; 5=very useful

As a learning tool, to what extent did the framework help you to appreciate the features a) Are common to all research? 0=not at all; 5=to a great extent

b) Are specific to quantitative research? c) Are specific to qualitative research? To what extent did the framework help you to carry out a critique of a piece of research? 0=not at all; 5=to a great extent

were positive or what in particular they found helpful. This will form part of further evaluation as the framework is used more widely.

Once the framework went into general use, we published in our in- house open-access journal (Caldwell et al., 2005), details of its development and use. Thus we opened it up to a larger audience for critique and consideration. We have had an immense amount of interest, not only from colleagues across the University, but also from academics and studentsbothnational and international. Studentsonourprofessional doctorate programme requested that it was utilised on their programme VLE, which enabled us to expand our vision of this being a tool solely for undergraduate nurses, rather it could be seen to have applicability at different levels and across different related subject areas.

A further quantitative evaluation has subsequently been conducted with thirty three, year three undergraduate nursing students. Thirty three students completed the questionnaire (Table 4). Thefirst question addressed ease of use and 31 (84%) of students scored 3 or abovewith 0 being ‘not easy’ and 5 being ‘very easy.’ The second question asked how useful it was to have one framework for the two approaches. 27 (82%) scored 3 or above with 0 being not useful and 5 very useful.

The next three questions examined the features of the framework; Over 90% of students felt that framework helped them appreciate the

students.

0 1 2 3 4 5

2 5 5 7

? 1 7 11

that: 4 8 7

3 13 3 5 8 6 2 8 9

 

 

Table 4 Second evaluation of the Framework for Research Critique — undergraduate finalists.

0 1 2 3 4 5

How easy was the framework to use? 0=not at all easy; 5=very easy

1 1 7 10 14

How useful is it to have a framework covering both quantitative and qualitative research? 0=not at all useful; 5=very useful

4 5 9 13

As a learning tool, to what extent did the framework help you to appreciate the features that: a) Are common to all research? 0=not at all; 5=to a great extent

1 2 8 9 12

b) Are specific to quantitative research? 2 10 12 8 c) Are specific to qualitative research? 2 7 13 9 To what extent did the framework help you to carry out a critique of a piece of research? 0=not at all; 5=to a great extent

1 2 2 13 15

e6 K. Caldwell et al. / Nurse Education Today 31 (2011) e1–e7

features that are common to all research as well as the features that are specific to each paradigm. The last question asked if the framework helped in critiquing research; 30 (91%) of students scored 3 and above with 0 being not at all and 5 being to a great extent.

Discussion

While students could be referred to two separate frameworks, and students continue to be able to choose to use separate frameworks, we believe that the incorporation of the two approaches into one framework serves to assist learning and reinforces the differences between quantitative and qualitative research for the ‘novice’ student of research methods, and we have demonstrated the feasibility of producing a user-friendly framework along the lines suggested by Johnstone (cited in Booth, 2006). Following the introduction of this framework to students we have seen an improvement in the relevance and criticality of the students’ commentary when under- taking a research critiquewhen using this, as it has facilitated the clear identification of the research approach and the questions to be addressed associated with the approach as they work through a structured series of questions. Having acquired understanding at an introductory level, advanced frameworks are available for both research approaches when, and if, students require greater depth at a more advanced level of study, although feedback from our postgraduate and doctoral students indicates that the framework can also be successfully utilised at higher levels of study. Unlike some frameworks for research critique, this framework gives equal weight to both quantitative and qualitative research and uses the language of both paradigms, thus minimising the risk that students will be ‘attempting the impossible’ e.g. trying to identify a hypothesis in qualitative work by using a framework and terms originally designed for quantitative research.

Students have reported positively on the experience of using this framework, and academic staff have reported evidence of enhanced learning and improved levels of achievement. Indeed the authors of this paper have noted more positive (often unsolicited) feedback on this teaching/learning tool than on any other we are currently using. We also recognise that it could have relevance outside of nursing, as it is the second most-accessed paper within the University Research Repository.

Conclusion

Though the framework and guidelines were initially designed for students working at both level five and six, it has also been found valuable with more advanced students. Those undertaking masters and doctoral level study are frequently given the more complex task of writing a critical literature review in preparation for a research proposal or research report. Those students who have not undertaken academic study for some time find this daunting, and often request

revision of key concepts. The framework has proved to be a useful tool in this activity.

For assessment at level two and three, students are frequently required to critically review a paper of their choice. Provision of the framework, with the assessment guidelines, provides a direction for all students. The inclusion of both strategies ensures that whatever the choice of paper all students have guidelines with which to work.

The framework is of value in both teaching and assessment at level five and six, and is also a potentially useful learning aid for students studying at levels seven and eight. It can be used as a teaching tool and displayed on an overhead projector or on PowerPoint, and can also be easily copied as a one page handout for students to work with in the classroom or to take away for study. Further use of the framework is required, but the intention is to place it onWebCT, with the guidelines available as ‘clickable links.’ As such, it will also serve as a revision aid and will allow students to test their own knowledge, clicking on those areas where they feel they need further explanation. The next stage is to facilitate a more systematic evaluation of this framework within nursing, and evaluation across those disciplines outside of nursing that have adopted it.

References

Benton, D., 2005. Clinical effectiveness, In: Hamer, S., Collinson, G. (Eds.), Achieving Evidence-Based Practice. A Handbook for Practitioners, 2nd Ed. Baillière Tindall, Edinburgh.

Booth, A., 2006. Critical appraisal of the evidence, In: Gerrish, K., Lacey, A. (Eds.), The Research Process in Nursing, 5th Ed. Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Oxford.

Bowling, A., 2009. Research Methods in Health. Investigating Health and Health Services, 3rd Ed. Open University Press, Buckingham.

Bowling, A., Ebrahim, S. (Eds.), 2005. Handbook of Health Research Methods. Investigation, Measurement and Analysis. Open University Press, Maidenhead.

Burns, N., Grove, S., 2007. Understanding Nursing Research, Building an Evidence-based Practice4th Ed. Saunders Elsevier, St Louis.

Burns, N., Grove, S., 2009. The Practice of Nursing Research, Appraisal, Synthesis, and Generation of Evidence6th Ed. Saunders Elsevier, St Louis.

Caldwell, K., Henshaw, L., Taylor, G., 2005. Developing a framework for critiquing health research. Health, Social and Environmental Issues 6 (1), 45–54.

Collinbridge, D., 2008. The quality of qualitative research. American Journal of Medical Quality 23 (56), 389–395.

Coughlan, M., Cronin, P., Ryan, F., 2007. Step-by-step guide to critiquing research: part 1: quantitative research. British Journal of Nursing 16 (11), 658–663.

The Evidence-based Practice Manual for Nurses, In: Craig, J., Smyth, R. (Eds.), 2nd Ed. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, Edinburgh.

DePoy, E., Gitlin, L.N., 2005. Introduction to research, Understanding and Applying Multiple Strategies3rd Ed. Mosby, St. Louis.

Gomm, R., Davies, C. (Eds.), 2000. Using Evidence in Health and Social Care. Sage, London.

Gomm, R., Needham, G., Bullman, A. (Eds.), 2000. Evaluating Research in Health and Social Care. Sage, London.

Green, J., Thorogood, N., 2009. Qualitative Methods for Health Research, 2nd Ed. Sage, London.

Greenhalgh, T., 2006. How to Read a Paper. The Basics of Evidence-based Medicine. BMJ Books, London.

Ingham-Broomfield, R., 2008. A nurses’ guide to the critical reading of research. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing 26 (1), 103–109.

LoBiondo-Wood, G., Haber, J., 2002. Nursing Research, 3rd Ed. Mosby, London. Mays, N., Pope, C., 2000. Assessing quality in qualitative research. British Medical

Journal 320 (1), 50–52.

 

 

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Mays, N., Pope, C., Popay, J., 2005. Systematically reviewing qualitative and quantitative evidence to support policy-making in the health field. Journal of Health Services Research and Policy 10 (Supplement 1), 6–20.

McCaughan, D., Thompson, C., Cullum, N., Sheldon, T., Thompson, D., 2002. Acute care nurses’ perceptions of barriers to using research information in clinical-decision- making. Journal of Advanced Nursing 39 (1), 46–60.

Miles, M., Huberman, A., 1984. Qualitative Data Analysis: A Sourcebook of New Methods. Sage, London.

Moule, P., Goodman, M., 2009. Nursing Research. An Introduction. Sage, London. Murdaugh, C., Kramer, M., Schmalenberg, C., 1981. The Teaching of Nursing Research. A

Survey Report. Nurse Educator January–February, pp. 28–35. Nieswiadomy, R., 2008. Foundations of Nursing Research, 5th Ed. Appleton and Lange,

Connecticut. Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2004. Standards for Pre-registration Nursing

Education. NMC, London. Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2010. Standards for Pre-registration Nursing

Education. Draft for consultation. NMC, London.

Parahoo, K., 2006. Nursing Research. Principles, Process and Issues, 2nd Ed. Macmillan Press Ltd, Basingstoke.

Polgar, S., Thomas, S., 2008. Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences, 5th Ed. Churchill Livingstone, London.

Polit, D., Beck, C., 2010. Essentials of Nursing Research. Appraising Evidence for Nursing Practice, 7th Ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia.

Quinn, F., 1995. The Principles and Practice of Nurse Education, 3rd Ed. Chapman, London.

Ryan, F., Coughlan, M., Cronin, P., 2007. Step-by-step guide to critiquing research: part 2: qualititative research. British Journal of Nursing 16 (12), 738–744.

Sandelowski, M., 1986. The problem of rigor in qualitative research. Advances in Nursing Science 8 (3), 27–37.

Sandelowski, M., Barroso, J., 2002. Reading qualitative studies. International Journal of Qualitative Methods 1 (1) Article 5.

Valente, S., 2003. Critical analysis of research papers. Journal for Nurses in Staff Development 19 (3), 130–142.

 

  • Developing a framework for critiquing health research: An early evaluation
    • Introduction
    • Literature review
    • Development of a new framework
    • Use of the framework
    • Formative evaluation
      • What did you like most about the framework?
        • Ease of use
        • Practical application
      • What did you like least about the framework?
    • Discussion
    • Conclusion
    • References
 
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Week 7

This is due on the 12th

In Topic 5, you submitted a treatment plan for your client Eliza. Since the initial treatment plan, several changes have taken place within Eliza’s case. Since the mandatory assessment two weeks ago, you have discovered that Eliza is again on your client listing for the day due to a mandatory evaluation, with the incident report indicating that campus public safety, due to a tip from a concerned resident, found the client passed out and alone in her dorm, smelling of alcohol.

Part 1: Review the initial Treatment Plan submitted in Topic 5.

  1. Reassess your treatment plan diagnoses, goals, and objectives based on the new information provided.
  2. Fill out and submit a new treatment plan evidencing the changes made in treatment utilizing the treatment plan template provided.

Part 2: In a 700-1,050-word essay, answer the questions presented in a separate word document, addressing the following:

  1. Examine the case and propose why the changes occurred.
  2. Reassess the effectiveness and validity of the treatment plan.
  3. Discuss how the treatment plan needs to be adjusted to address the changes in the situation.
  4. Justify the changes both ethically and legally.
  5. Determine what the changes (obstacles) mean to the treatment plan.

Submit the revised treatment plan and essay to your instructor.

While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

 
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PHIL REFLECTION 5

PICK 5 QUESTIONS / PLEASE INCLUDE QUESTION WITH ANSWERS

CHAPTER 10

1.       Outline the development of the “epistemological turn” from Descartes through Locke and Berkeley to Hume.

2. In your own words, reconstruct the basic empirical critique of rationalism.

3. What is the tabula rasa? What is its significance to Locke’s empiricism?

4.     Explain the philosophical significance of the question “Does a tree falling in the forest make a sound if no one is there to hear it?” Then answer it as Berkeley would.

5.      Why is the distinction between impressions and ideas important to Hume’s philosophy?

6.        Apply the empirical criterion of meaning to an example of your own choosing.

7. How does Hume’s bundle theory of the self affect his reasoning regarding personal identity and immortality.

8.    How does Hume account for the external world?

9.  Sketch Hume’s analysis of cause and effect.

10.          Summarize and analyze Hume’s critique of the argument from design. 11.       Construct a Humean analysis of some contemporary moral issue. What are the advantages of Hume’s approach? The disadvantages?

12.        Why does Hume say “I am ready to throw all my books and papers into the fire, and resolve never more to renounce the pleasures of life for the sake of reasoning and philosophy”?”

 
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Group Typology

As a clinical social worker it is important to understand group typology in order to choose the appropriate group method for a specific population or problem. Each type of group has its own approach and purpose. Two of the more frequently used types of groups are task groups and intervention groups.

For this Assignment, review the “Cortez Multimedia” case study, and identify a target behavior or issue that needs to be ameliorated, decreased, or increased. In a 2- to 4-page report, complete the following:

  • Choose either a treatment group or task group as your intervention for Paula Cortez.
  • Identify the model of treatment group (i.e., support, education, teams, or treatment conferences).
  • Using the typologies described in the Toseland & Rivas (2017) piece, describe the characteristics of your group. For instance, if you choose a treatment group that is a support group, what would be the purpose, leadership, focus, bond, composition, and communication?
  • Include the advantages and disadvantages of using this type of group as an intervention.

REVIEW:

http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/SOCW/6060/CH/mm/case_study/index.html

 
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Klein Industries Manufactures Three Types Of Portable Air Compressors: Small, Medium And Large, Which Have Units Profits Of $20.50, $34.00 And $42.00, Respectively. The Projected Monthly Sales Are: Small Medium Large Minimum 14,000 6,200 2,600 Maximum 2

Klein Industries manufactures three types of portable  air compressors: small, medium and large, which have units profits of $20.50, $34.00 and $42.00, respectively.

The projected monthly sales are:

  Small Medium large
Minimum 14,000 6,200 2,600
maximum 21,000 12,500 4,200

 

The production process consists of three primary activities: bending and forming, welding and painting. The amount of time in minutes needed to process each product in each department is shown below:

  Small Medium Large Available time
Bending/forming 0.4 0.7 0.8 23,400
Welding 0.6 1.0 1.2 23,400
Painting 1.4 2.6 3.1 46,800

 

How many of each type of air compressor should the company produce to maximize profit?

(a)  Formulate and solve a linear optimization model using the auxiliary variables cells methods and write a short memo to the production manager explaining the sensitivity information.

(b)  Solve the model without the auxiliary variables and explain the relationship between the reduced costs and the shadow prices found in part A.

P

 
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MN551 Unit 4 DQ 1

 

Case Study:

Case Study Posting Requirements

  1. Make sure all of the topics in the case study have been      addressed.
  2. Cite at least three sources; journal articles,      textbooks or evidenced-based websites to support the content.
  3. All sources must be within 5 years.
  4. Do not use .com, Wikipedia, or up-to-date, etc., for      your sources.

Case Study 1

Structure and Function of the Respiratory System

Brad is 45 years old and has been working as a coal cutter in a mine for the last 25 years. He likes the job because it pays well and the same mine had employed his father. Like many of his colleagues, Brad has had problems with a chronic cough. He has avoided his annual checkups for fear that he will be told he has “black lung,” or coal worker’s pneumoconiosis. The disease causes fibrosis, decreased diffusing capacity, and permanent small airway dilation. In later stages, pulmonary capillaries, alveoli, and airways are destroyed.

  1. How can the disease described above create a mismatch      between ventilation and perfusion? Use your understanding of alveolar dead      space and physiologic shunt to explain your answer.
  2. Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease      have more difficulty exhaling than inhaling. Why is this so?
  3. In general terms, what mechanisms in lung disease can      affect diffusing capacity across alveolar membranes? Use the Fick law to      explain your answer.

Case Study 2

Respiratory Tract Infections, Neoplasms, and Childhood Disorders

Patricia was called at work by a woman at the local daycare center. She told Patricia to come and pick up her son because he was not feeling well. Her son, three-and-a-half-year-old Marshall, had been feeling tired and achy when he woke up. While at daycare, his cheeks had become red and he was warm to touch. He did not want to play with his friends, and by the time Patricia arrived, he was crying. Later that afternoon, Marshall’s condition worsened. He had fever, chills, a sore throat, runny nose, and a dry hacking cough. Suspecting Marshall had influenza, Patricia wrapped him up and took him to the community health care clinic.

  1. Why did Marshall’s presentation lead Patricia to think      he had influenza and not a cold? Why is it important to medically evaluate      and diagnose a potential influenza infection?
  2. Describe the pathophysiology of the influenza virus.      Outline the properties of influenza A antigens that allow them to exert      their effects in the host.
  3. Marshall may be at risk at contracting secondary      bacterial pneumonia. Why is this so? Explain why cyanosis may be a feature      associated with pneumonia.

Case Study 3

Disorders of Ventilation and Gas Exchange

Emmanuel and his mother live in an urban community housing complex. The building is worn down and dirty from the urban dust, cockroaches, and mold. Emmanuel is five years of age and has suffered from asthma for the last two years. One evening, his mother poured him some milk and put him to bed. Shortly afterward, Emmanuel woke up wheezing and coughing. As he gasped for air, he became more and more anxious. His mother ran for his inhaler, but he was too upset and restless to use it. Emmanuel’s skin became moist with sweat, and as he began to tire, his wheezing became quieter. His mother called 911 and waited anxiously for the ambulance to arrive.

  1. Emmanuel uses a corticosteroid inhaler for the      management of his asthma. What is the mechanism of action of this drug?      How is its action different from the β2-agonist inhalants?
  2. Why does someone with severe asthma become physically      fatigued during a prolonged attack? What are the physiological events that      occur during an attack?
  3. One of the complications of respiratory fatigue is the      development of hypercapnia. How does the body compensate for an increase      in CO2? What are the effects of hypercapnia on the central nervous system?

To view the Grading Rubric for this Assignment, please visit the Grading Rubrics section of the Course Home.

 
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Social Policy MIdterm

Social Welfare Policy & Services II 2019 Spring – SWPS II

Mid-Term Exam

• This is an exam: YOU MAY NOT WORK TOGETHER; however, you MAY use whatever lectures, videos, notes, books, websites, articles, etc. that you wish to use

• Make sure to ANSWER ALL parts of each question, DO NOT ANSWER what was NOT asked

• USE YOUR OWN WORDS! o That means DO NOT COPY AND PASTE directly from other sources

• You DO NOT have to cite any sources (for exams ONLY)

• Exam consists of 10 Questions = 100 points ; All answers are found within the lectures, videos, readings, etc. – the course material.

• There are no specific requirements for the length of your answers. In general, I would advise that good answers will be about one half to one full page in length. You want to focus on accuracy of your answers and making sure you have explained your answer. Please use 12-point font, normal margins and single spaced format.

• Completed exams are due back by no later than Monday, July 8th 11:59pm.

Please complete the exam on this document and return this document.

Please include your name and remember to sign the academic integrity statement.

NAME:____________________________________________

 

 

1. Explain the political, social, economic and organizational factors that influence policy formulation and implementation. Define the three key values associated with distributive justice.

2. Ideology and values play an integral part in the social welfare policy conversation. What is ideology? Why does it matter? What are the two main ideologies and political perspectives, according to Gilbert and Terrell? What are the five ideological and political perspectives, according to Blau and Abromovitz. Explain them.

3. A. Benefits can be provided in the form of vouchers, cash, or in-kind (goods or services). Where would you place these three types of benefits on the personal freedom to social control continuum? Explain your answer.

B. Provide examples (TWO for each) of social welfare policy benefits provided in vouchers, in cash, and in-kind.

4. Explain the difference between a residual and institutional view of the role of social welfare policy. Which view is preferred by those with an individual vs. collectivist perspective on social welfare policy provision?

5. A. Explain the difference between universal and means-tested social welfare programs. Provide an example of each type of policy.

B. Provide TWO arguments for means-tested programs and TWO arguments for universal programs.

6. David Ellwood (1988, in Poor Support, Chapter 2) describes three “helping conundrums” that are inherent in all social policies that aim to help the poor: (a) the security-work conundrum, (b) assistance-family structure conundrum, and the (c) targeting-isolation conundrum. (1) Explain what he means by a conundrum

 

 

generally. (2) Select ONE of these conundrums and explain what he means and why it is a conundrum.

7. A. The Official Poverty Line Measure (OPM) is calculated as the cost of a

thrifty food basket multiplied by 3. (1) What was the rationale for this calculation when it was originally created? (2) Why might this calculation no longer be a valid measure of a family’s needs?

B. The Official Poverty Measure (OPM) only includes cash income in its measures of a family’s resources. (1) Why is this a problem for understanding the effects of anti-poverty programs?

8. What are FOUR important immigration trends over the last 40 years? How have these changes contributed to increasing anti-immigrant sentiment among some in the US?

9. The budget proposals (fiscal year 2017-2018) from the House and Senate Republicans included converting several entitlement programs, such as Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps), to block grants to the states. What is the difference between these two types of funding? [Entitlements and Block grants]. What is one argument in favor of block grants? What is an argument against?

10. Social welfare policy is complicated, macro and often times uncomfortable for practitioners to relate to. But it is very clear that policy and practice are intertwined, connected, “married” and relevant to the social work field.

a. List two significant lessons learned from the course thus far. b. What do you understand differently about these two lessons/topics/facts? c. Have they influenced your practice or your interest in advocacy? How? d. Of the topic covered thus far in the course/syllabus which one would you be

interested in learning more about?

 

 

Academic Integrity Statement

On my honor, I have neither received nor given any unauthorized assistance on

this assignment.

Name:__________________________________________________

Date: ___________________________________________________

 
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8-2 Journal Reflection: Reflecting On Learning Assignment

SCS 100 Module Eight Journal Reflection Guidelines and Rubric

Prompt: Identify an area or areas of your life where you will use information learned from this course. How might learning about different perspectives and biases influence your work, relationships, and other areas of your life?

Rubric

Guidelines for Submission: Submit your journal reflection in a Microsoft Word document.

Critical Elements Proficient (100%) Needs Improvement (75%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Engagement of Response

Describes how learning about different perspectives and biases might influence work, relationships, etc.

Description lacks detail and relevance to perspective and bias

Does not provide a description addressing how perspectives and biases might influence work, relationships, etc.

40

Focus of Response

Provides focused and direct reflection when describing both areas posed in the question

Provides reflection, but the focus is unclear o r unrelated to the questions posed

Does not provide reflection or describe the areas posed in the question

40

Communicates Clearly

Clearly communicates key ideas and thoughts in a short-answer response

Response needs clarification in order to support understanding of key ideas and thoughts

Response is not legible and key ideas or t houghts are not understandable

20

Total 100%

 

  • SCS 100 Module Eight Journal Reflection Guidelines and Rubric
    • Rubric
 
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Jindal Family Case Study Essay

Access and review the “Jindal Family Case Study Worksheet” that you completed in Topic 2 to help you complete this assignment.

In a 500-750-word essay, address the following prompts:

  1. Explain the cultural influences on the disciplinary style of Akshat and Rishita. How do their disciplinary styles differ from those of Western contemporary disciplinary styles?
  2. Explain the role of social policy in this situation and why it is necessary.
  3. Describe the effects of multicultural influences on Akshat and Rishita’s parenting practices. How do societal trends and influences impact parenting practices?

Cite three to five scholarly sources to support your claims.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

 
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