Diploma in Computing Level 7

(with strand in Software Development)

DC201 Ethics and Professionalism in Computing

Level 6, Credits 7
NQF Level 6 (7 credits)
Case Study 1
(40% towards your final grade)

Final Result: _______________

Student Name
Student ID
Student Signature
Assessor

Assessor Signature ___________________

Instructions:
1. All assignments must be accompanied by a covering assignment sheet provided by the
lecturer.
2. Assignments must be submitted before 4:00pm on the due date at the IT Department
office.
3. Each assignment must have a professional report structure with clear outline. Please refer
to writing academic reports handouts of the professional development workshops.
4. Academic dishonesty and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students found engaging in
unfair/dishonest practices or found plagiarizing the assignment will face the disciplinary
committee.

Assignment Targeted Learning Outcomes:

Discuss ethics and professionalism and its importance in a professional organisation.

Identify ethical issues in computing and address these issues.
Critically evaluate and develop the professional competencies to pursue a career in the
computing industry.
Evaluate professionalism and expectations of a professional in the computing industry.
Identify and examine skills in managing professional relationships.
Investigate and discuss the code of conduct prescribed by the New Zealand Computer
Society and the government legislation applicable in the computing and IT industry in
New Zealand.

Case Study 01: (1500 words)

All organisations who work with computers have to create systems and codes of conduct that
ensure, as much as possible, that business activities are undertaken ethically. This assessment
asks you to research and identify the processes employed in ensuring that those working in the
computing community operate and do business ethically.
Select a New Zealand based company of your choice operating in the ICT related sector of the
industry. Outline the organisational structures and systems in place in the selected organisations
to ensure that the ethical and legal issues are addressed with respect to NZCS Code of Conduct
and the New Zealand Government legislations in the following areas:
Property
Privacy
Anonymity
Liability
Security
Regulation (organisational and legislative)
Access and equity

Case Study 02: (1000 words)

Select any two professional roles from those listed below:

ICT consultant
Computer Programmer
Network Administrator
IT Help Desk Personnel

Identify the professional relationships for each of the selected roles. Critically evaluate each of
the selected professional roles for both ethical and unethical behaviour for each of the
professional relationships identified.

Marking criteria
How you will be assessed
Your report will be assessed against the seven factors affecting computer ethics above, and will be
assessed against the following assessment criteria:
Set criteria

Marks

Evidence of primary and secondary research carried out.

Case Study 01: Clear outline of the policies and practice of the organisation in

12

the areas of interest.

Case Study 02: Identification of relevant professional relationships for the roles

selected
Case Study 02: Critically evaluated the each professional relationship with

reference to theoretical frameworks of Ethics.

Clarity of expression

Critical reflection and discussion

References

3
____
40