The diagram below provides a framework for examining ethical issues individually or as a group. Following this process will help you organize the facts and contextual paramaters of the dilemma, so that you can look at the situation objectively and choose a course of action based on logic rather than emotions. Select each step to learn more about it.


Step 7: Decide & Act
Ultimately, resolving any ethical dilemma requires decision and action. Ideally, your personal ethical values will be consistent with those of other team members and consistent with the guiding legal and professional standards of practice. Given the nature of ethical decision-making, however, you are more likely to find yourself facing internal and/or external conflicts. Having completed the previous steps of this systematic process, you should be able to select the course of action that is best supported by your analysis. More importantly, you will be able to articulate a concrete foundation from which to defend your decisions.