An Ethical Decision Process

An Ethical Decision Process
Name
Institution
An Ethical Decision Process
The following steps describe my ethical decision process in determining whether or not to use a solution found on the internet to an assignment given in class.
Step One: Defining the Problem
The course instructor gave us an individual assignment and in the course of my research on the internet, I came across a perfect solution to the assignment. Someone else had done a similar assignment in the past and posted their solution on the internet. This solution is just what I need because I have a lot of other important tasks to perform as well and time is not on my side. I am also struggling in doing the assignment by myself and I am not sure I will make the required points to pass the course. However, the class instructor and the school, in general, are keen on academic dishonesty and have advised students against it. What do I do?
Step One a: Defining the Stakeholders
The stakeholders in the scenario include me, the course instructor, and the person who posted the solution on the internet. My parents may also be affected by this scenario because they expect the best from me. The school may also be affected because the wider community will lose its confidence in the school if there are concerns about academic dishonesty.
Step One b: Defining the Stakeholders’ Rights and Responsibilities
As a student, I should act with integrity and follow the rules and regulations of the school concerning academic dishonesty and plagiarism. I have a responsibility to myself, to the course instructor, and to the school to submit honest solutions. My instructor also has the right to receive honest solutions. Otherwise, I will be putting them in an uncomfortable position. The instructor has a responsibility to check a student’s work using software such as Turnitin, which detects plagiarized work. They also have a responsibility to report any evidence of academic dishonesty. The person who posted the solution on the internet has a right of ownership to their work, and I should not use their work as my own. My parents, who have supported me throughout my academic journey, deserve to see me pass the course, and a wrong decision on whether to use the internet solution or not may jeopardize that. They have also raised me to be an honest person and I may disappoint them. The school has a responsibility to ensure that students and all staff are committed to academic excellence and integrity. They also have a right to receive honest work from students so that the community can have confidence in them.
Step Two: Determining the Consequences
First, I may choose to use the internet solution and for some reason, my instruc...