The purpose of these case studies is to equip you to apply course reading and theological ethics to ethical issues in science and research. The case studies provide you the opportunity to demonstrate your analysis of a situation and convey that material to others—fundamental skills for researchers and academicians.
Instructions
For each case study assignment, you will write a 1,000 – 1,500-word essay responding to a case study from your reading in the Shamoo and Resnik text. At the end of each textbook chapter, the authors provide a series of case studies. Pick 1 case study from chapter 4 (Collaboration within Academia and with Industry) and respond to the corresponding questions. Make sure that you:
Clearly indicate which case study you are responding to (do not copy/paste the case—simply note, for example: “Chapter 4, Case Study 2.”
Type the question prompts and then respond to the prompts.
Your paper should include a minimum of 3 peer-reviewed sources and 1 theological-ethical source in APA format. Theological sources cannot simply be a biblical reference without textual commentary/analysis. Do not force the theological reflections, but ground them in evidential, textual, and exegetical reflection.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
This assignment asks for a 1,000–1,500-word essay responding to one collaboration case study from Chapter 4 of Shamoo and Resnik, integrating research ethics with a theological-ethical source. Pick your case, answer the textbook’s questions directly, and support your reasoning with scholarship.
Key takeaways
- Clearly name the case (e.g., ‘Chapter 4, Case Study 2’) — don’t paste the case text.
- Type each question prompt, then respond to it in order.
- Analyze the real collaboration issues: authorship, data sharing, conflicts of interest, academia–industry tensions.
- Include at least 3 peer-reviewed sources plus 1 theological-ethical source, in APA.
- A theological source must be engaged with textual commentary, not just a verse reference.
Choose and frame the case
Select one Chapter 4 case on collaboration within academia or with industry. State which case you’re addressing, then type the corresponding question prompts so your reader can follow your responses.
Analyze the ethical issues
Chapter 4 cases typically raise authorship and credit, data ownership and sharing, conflicts of interest, mentor–trainee responsibilities, and the pressures that arise when academic and industry interests meet. Apply the principles from your reading to the facts of the case rather than speaking generally.
Integrate the theological-ethical dimension
Bring in a theological-ethical source and engage it substantively — explain the text and connect its ethical reasoning (honesty, stewardship, justice, the common good) to the case. A bare scripture citation won’t meet the requirement; show the interpretation.
Format
Keep to 1,000–1,500 words, use the question-and-response structure, and cite at least three peer-reviewed sources and one theological source in APA. See our APA guide for reference formatting.