CS5805 Ethics and Governance of Digital Systems Assignment Brief

Main Objective of the Assessment

The coursework for the Ethics and Governance module is an individual analysis and critical reflection on the individual, societal and organisational impact of a wide range of intelligent and digital technology systems
with associated ethical, governance and regulatory issues, which form the focus of the assessment.

The coursework aims to assess the following learning outcomes (LOs):

LO1: Identify and appraise existing research related to the handling and governance of digital information;

LO2: Evaluate the legal, social and ethical concerns and consequences related to the use of digital systems
in practice;

LO3: Reflect critically on the governance implications of adopting digital technologies in the modern working environment and society.

Reflective case study Essay

The requirement of the assessment for the Ethics and Governance module is to provide a reflective case study essay that includes: 1) a brief introduction with a clear statement of aim/argument; 2) a literature review; 3) a Case study description, 4) analysis and discussion, and 5) practical and policy reflections. The coursework draws on substantial independent research, which you will conduct throughout the semester.

Marking Criteria

There is no evidence from the submission of an ability to demonstrate this learning outcome.

There is very little evidence from the submission of an ability to demonstrate this learning outcome.

The submission fails to meet the threshold requirements for this task. However, there is some evidence that the work overall is very close to demonstrating this learning outcome.

Threshold Requirements: The literature review demonstrates a basic understanding of research on the use of digital technologies in various settings and the ethical and/or governance issues arising. Develop a clear aim based on the gaps identified in the literature review. However, the arguments linking common themes in the papers need further development. The papers reviewed have been chosen from minimum six peer reviewed articles and/or conference papers and are appropriately referenced.

Merit Requirements: The threshold requirements have been exceeded, but the literature review falls short of a distinctive attempt to critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate the ethical, governance and/or regulatory issues in the selected papers.

Distinction Requirements: The literature review demonstrates critical judgement in both the selection and discussion of research from the peer-reviewed articles and/or conference papers and its evaluation in terms of the ethical and governance issues raised. The submission excellently outlined and justified the main aim/argument of the essay in the introductory section. The papers are thoroughly and consistently referenced.

The submission description of the selected case study summarises key points for a non-expert audience. The submission provides a rudimentary analysis of the ethical and governance and/or regulatory concerns and effectiveness and implication on societal, organisations and/or individuals. The submission uses relevant theory(ies)/conceptual framework(s) covered in the course to analyse the case, and some references are made to either the course materials, student’s literature review, or both to support the arguments.

Merit requirements: The threshold requirements have been exceeded, but the description and analysis fall short of a distinctive attempt to evaluate the use of intelligent and digital technology systems in the selected case study.

Distinction requirements: The student description of the case study skilfully summarises the key points, providing an excellent basis for the analysis. The analysis and discussion show a thorough understanding of ethical, governance and regulatory concerns and effectiveness and implications of the use of intelligent and digital technology systems. The submission makes excellent use of relevant theory(ies) covered in the course to analyse the case and discusses alternative solutions. The submission contains all of the required
material in the required format (see below) and is presented in a professional style with very good structure, use of language and coherence.

Merit requirements: The threshold requirements have been exceeded, but the reflections fall short of a distinctive attempt to reflect on the practical and policy implications and recommendations for adopting digital technologies in the modern working environment and society.

Distinction requirements: The reflections demonstrate a convincing critical understanding of the implications of adopting intelligent and digital technology systems in the modern working environment and society. The practical lessons learned about mitigating ethical, governance and regulatory concerns in the selected case study are thoughtful and sensible, while the discussion of ways governments and organisations might govern and regulate intelligent and digital technology systems is suitable and well justified. The submission contains all of the required material in the required format (see below) and is presented in a professional style with very good structure, use of language and coherence. Citations and references match and adopt the Harvard style.