Do higher education computing degree courses develop the level of moral judgement required from a profession?
| Pages | 116-126 |
| Published date | 17 May 2011 |
| Date | 17 May 2011 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14779961111148631 |
| Author | Lynda Holland |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management |
Do higher education computing
degree courses develop
the level of moral judgement
required from a profession?
Lynda Holland
School of Technology, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK
Abstract
Purpose – Higher education (HE) in the past has been found to have a positive effect on the moral
development of students from a variety of disciplines, decreasing conventional and increasing
post-conventional moral reasoning progressively at each level of study. This research aims to explore
to what extent changes in moral judgement could be detected in students on computing degree
courses, at three different stages of study, in order to establish if HE in the twenty-first century has a
similar effect and what level of moral awareness computing graduates/practitioners exhibit.
Design/methodology/approach – The research takes the form of an exploratory case study which
aimed to investigate the current situation in one institution. The defining issues test (DIT)
questionnaire was used to gather data.
Findings – Results showed little difference in the level of post-conventional thinking between
undergraduate students about to enter HE, final year undergraduates and students undertaking
postgraduate studies.
Research limitations/implications – This research questions if IT students moral judgement
skills are at a level that enables them to be considered professionals.
Practical implications – Recommendationsare made for different teachingapproaches to be adopted
which place greater emphasis on relating learning outcomes to professional codes of conduct, and for
computingprofessional bodies to take a more activerole in defining components of coursesthey accredit.
Social implications – Given the ubiquitous nature of computers and society’s high level of
dependence on them it is argued that post-conventional thinking skills are essential for people
intending to work with computer technology.
Originality/value – Although the DIT questionnaire is been used extensively, no other research has
been found that has utilised it to analyse moral judgement levels of HE students within the same
subject discipline, at different levels of study.
Keywords Profession,Ethics, Moral judgement, Computing, Definingissues test,
Information technology, Professional
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
As early as the 1940s computer technology was recognised as having the ability to
significantly change society and initial concerns were raised relating to the level of
ethical awareness and behaviour that would be needed from people associated with its
development and use in order to protect the general public (Wiener, 1950/1954). About
70 years later, ensuring high levels of ethical behaviour from the people who work with
information technology (IT) has still to be successfully addressed. In an attempt to raise
standards within the industry computing professional bodies[1] require pro fessionalism
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/1477-996X.htm
JICES
9,2
116
Received 12 July 2010
Revised 9 March 2011
Accepted 23 March 2011
Journal of Information,
Communication & Ethics in Society
Vol. 9 No. 2, 2011
pp. 116-126
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
1477-996X
DOI 10.1108/14779961111148631
To continue reading
Request your trial