Ethical decision-making among undergraduates at a Jesuit university: a comparative study of first year students and graduating seniors.
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Xavier University / OhioLINK
2018
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| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier154333445700639 |
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-xavier1543334457006392021-08-03T07:08:53Z Ethical decision-making among undergraduates at a Jesuit university: a comparative study of first year students and graduating seniors. Dugan, Molly Shannon Ethics Higher Education ethical decision-making higher education undergraduates first year students graduating seniors Jesuit values case study mixed methods The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of institutional mission on the ways in which undergraduate college students make ethical decisions by comparing decisions made by unmatriculated first year students and graduating seniors. Analysis focused on whether unmatriculated first year students and graduating seniors employed different ethical decision-making philosophies, and whether the Jesuit identity of the study institution was reflected in the ethical decision-making of these students. The study sought to identify the approach to ethical decision-making employed by students at a Jesuit institution of higher education, determine whether first year and senior students differed in their approach, and explore the extent to which Jesuit identity was reflected in their rationales. The study used a framework of six ethical principles: utilitarianism, categorical imperative, justice as fairness, pragmatism, altruism, and virtue ethics; and six Jesuit values: reflection, discernment, solidarity and kinship, service rooted in justice and love, Cura Personalis, and Magis. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected to address the four research questions guiding the study. Qualitative data was analyzed through theoretical coding and quantitative data was analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results from both analyses were first interpreted separately, then compared to better understand the influence of institutional mission on ethical decision-making. These analyses revealed that there was some variation in how ethical principles and Jesuit values were applied by both study populations, but not much systematic differentiation between first year students and seniors in their ethical decision making, or in the Jesuit values reflected in their decisions. Limitations and opportunities for further research aimed at clarifying the results of this exploratory study, as well as implications for student affairs professionals in the higher education community are discussed. Overall, the evidence of minimal distinctions between first year and senior level students’ ethical decision making and application of Jesuit values resulting from this study suggest there is a need to better understand the factors that contribute to the ethical and values-based development of college students. Replicating this study with a larger sample could help determine whether in fact there is room for growth in providing such developmental opportunities to undergraduates throughout their academic tenure. 2018-11-30 English text Xavier University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier154333445700639 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier154333445700639 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
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NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Ethics Higher Education ethical decision-making higher education undergraduates first year students graduating seniors Jesuit values case study mixed methods |
| spellingShingle |
Ethics Higher Education ethical decision-making higher education undergraduates first year students graduating seniors Jesuit values case study mixed methods Dugan, Molly Shannon Ethical decision-making among undergraduates at a Jesuit university: a comparative study of first year students and graduating seniors. |
| author |
Dugan, Molly Shannon |
| author_facet |
Dugan, Molly Shannon |
| author_sort |
Dugan, Molly Shannon |
| title |
Ethical decision-making among undergraduates at a Jesuit university: a comparative study of first year students and graduating seniors. |
| title_short |
Ethical decision-making among undergraduates at a Jesuit university: a comparative study of first year students and graduating seniors. |
| title_full |
Ethical decision-making among undergraduates at a Jesuit university: a comparative study of first year students and graduating seniors. |
| title_fullStr |
Ethical decision-making among undergraduates at a Jesuit university: a comparative study of first year students and graduating seniors. |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Ethical decision-making among undergraduates at a Jesuit university: a comparative study of first year students and graduating seniors. |
| title_sort |
ethical decision-making among undergraduates at a jesuit university: a comparative study of first year students and graduating seniors. |
| publisher |
Xavier University / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2018 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier154333445700639 |
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