This project provides you with an opportunity to conduct an in-depth examination of a bioethical issue that society is currently debating. You will research an issue of your choice that has significant implications for public policy.
As you develop this project, you will examine and document the rich contextual nature of the debate as it is conducted in the media, discussed in centers of learning, and reported in scholarly publications.
You will document and chronicle all sides of the debate in a learning journal. Your journal will then provide the foundation for you to prepare a Bioethics Issues Position Paper that presents your position on the issue and the implications your position holds for society in general and medical sociology in particular.(300 points) (A 20- to 25-page, double-spaced, response is required.)
| Part A | First, select a bioethics issue of interest to you and find at least five (5) articles or programs from the popular media debating the issue. These articles can be from the newspaper, health magazines, weekly news magazines, or television documentaries or programs. You are to log each article or program in your journal, including time, date, principals, and positions taken on the issue. You will submit your Research Journal along with your Position Paper. Be sure you cite your references correctly using APA style. (10 points each, 5 article entries or programs, 50 points total) | |||
| Each of the article entries must address the following points. | ||||
| 1. | A one-paragraph abstract of the article/program | |||
| 2. | The positions taken with the justifications given | |||
| 3. | Important concerns for the health practitioner or patient | |||
| 4. | Your position and a brief justification | |||
| Part B | Next, select five (5) scholarly articles on the issue. A good place to find relevant articles is the National Reference Center for Bioethics Literature, The Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University. You are to log each article or program in your journal, including time, date, principals, and positions taken on the issue. You will submit your Research Journal along with your Position Paper. Be sure you cite your references correctly. (20 points each, 5 scholarly article entries, 100 points total) | |||
| Each of the scholarly article entries must address the following points. | ||||
| 1. | A one-paragraph abstract of the scholarly article | |||
| 2. | The conclusions and recommendations of the author | |||
| 3. | The benefits or liabilities for the healthcare system or society in general claimed by the author | |||
| 4. | Your position and justification | |||
| Part C | The final step in the assignment is to prepare a Position Paper on your subject, formatted in APA style. The content of your paper must contain the following elements. (A 20- to 25-page, double-spaced response is required.) (150 Points) | |||
| 1. | Cover Sheet | |||
| 2. | Table of Contents | |||
| 3. | Introduction to the Issue | |||
| 4. | Research Summary (40 points) | |||
| a. | Summary of the popular media treatment of the issue | |||
| b. | Summary of the scholarly literature and research on the issue | |||
| 5. | Comparative analysis of the issue as treated by the media and scholarly researchers (40 points) | |||
| 6. | Presentation of all positions in the debate concerning the issue (40 points) | |||
| 7. | Your conclusions and position on the issue along with your justification and a one-paragraph statement summarizing what you have learned from this project. (30 points) | |||
Note: In addition to ProQuest, the following Web sites may be useful in your research.
| The Hastings Center | www.thehastingscenter.org |
| The Kennedy Institute of Ethics | www.georgetown.edu/research/kie |
| Center for Practical Bioethics | www.midbio.org |
| MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics | |
| National Reference Center for Bioethics Literature | www.georgetown.edu/research/nrcbl |