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RESEARCH PRODUCT

A Study of Computer Science Students' Ethical Attitudes and Its Implications to

subject

description

In this study I investigated 198 Finnish computer science students' attitudes concerning computer usage and professional practic e in computing to determine content for computer ethics education. Students were to analyse acceptability of individuals' behavi our in 23 cases. It is postulated that divergence of attitudes in cases lead students to present opposing viewpoints during smal l group discussions and thus to develop moral sensitivity and judgment in students. The following issues emerged in this study: cracking to computer systems, using a database of an employer for one's own purposes, honesty in client relationships, acknowled ging someone's contribution, keeping software without paying for it, using computing resources of employer for commercial purpos es, unauthorized copying of software, maintaining databases about individuals, and relationships between managers and employers. Additionally, I observed differences pertaining to gender: women valued honesty slightly more than men. The results show that s tudents are not unanimous about acceptability of individuals' actions presented in cases. Thus, the issues of cases can be used in computer ethics teaching when planning effective small group discussions.