Ethics Module Part 2: Ethical Data Analysis

Overview
Donald Rubin is an Emeritus Professor1 of Statistics at Harvard University. For many years he acted as a
consultant for the tobacco industry. He wrote a paper describing that work, discussing his thoughts on
the ethics of doing so (Rubin 2002).

Read Rubin’s paper and examine the ethics guidelines from the American Statistical Association (ASA).
(These are posted in the course’s OWL website as attachments to the assignment for this part of the
Ethics Module assessment.) Then, write a two-part reflective report addressing the following questions:

Part 1: Does Rubin’s explanation of his work follow the ethical guidelines set out by the ASA?

Part 2: Which one(s) of the four ethical theories covered in this class do you think apply to
Rubin’s explanation of his work? And, in what way?

It is up to you to determine the length of your responses. They should be as short as possible while
containing all the necessary information that addresses the points you want to make, i.e. write concisely
and informatively.

Grading
You will be graded according to the rubric that appears at the end of this document.

Formatting and Submission Instructions

• Standard letter (8.5 x 11 inch) white paper, portrait orientation, 1-inch margins.
• Use 12 point Times New Roman font with single line spacing.
• Put your name in the top right of each page in the header.
• Number each page sequentially in the bottom right in the footer.
• Convert you completed assignment into a single PDF file.
• Submit your completed assignment through Assignments on the course OWL page.
• Due by: 11:59 pm on April 4, 2025.

References
American Statistical Association. (2022, January 1). Ethical Guidelines for Statistical Practice.
https://www.amstat.org/your-career/ethical-guidelines-for-statistical-practice

D.B. Rubin (2002). The ethics of consulting for the tobacco industry. Statistical Methods in Medical
Research, 11(5), 373 – 380.

1
The title of Emeritus Professor can be granted to professors after they retire from their position.
Name: Click or tap here to enter text. Ethics Module Part 2 Evaluation Rubric
EXCELLENT GOOD SATISFACTORY UNSATISFACTORY
Content ☐ Written clearly & concisely, ☐ Written clearly and has a ☐ Written content is less ☐ Written content does not have
E = 10 with a logical progression of logical progression of ideas convincing, but satisfactorily a logical progression and does
G=8 ideas with supporting with supporting arguments. communicates info. not communicate the
S=6 arguments. information well.
U=4 ☐ Includes information that is ☐ Some arguments present, not
Click or tap ☐ Gives a clear sense of the main accurate that comes from all are supported by facts or ☐ Little or no arguments are
here to enter points/arguments. reliable sources (if applicable). references. present and there are little or
text./10 no supporting facts or
☐ Includes information that is ☐ Most of the language and ☐ Some of the information is not
references.
accurate that comes from terminology is appropriate for accurate or not relevant.
reliable sources (if applicable). the audience. ☐ Incomplete / incorrect
☐ Some unreliable sources (if
☐ All of the language and ☐ Close to the ideal length. applicable). ☐ Unreliable/no sources (if
terminology is appropriate for applicable).
☐ Some of the language and
the audience.
terminology is appropriate for ☐ Little of the language and
☐ Ideal in terms of length. the audience. terminology is appropriate for
the audience.
☐ Somewhat too long/short.
☐ Inappropriate length.
Formatting, ☐ All formatting instructions ☐ One formatting instruction was ☐ Two or more formatting ☐ Completely wrong format.
Structure, & were followed. not followed. errors.
Submission OR
E=3 ☐ The overall structure/layout of OR OR
☐ Multiple formatting errors
G=2 the document is well done. ☐ Overall structure &layout had ☐ One formatting error plus one
S=1 along with structure issues
U=0 ☐ The document was submitted some minor issues. of overall structure problems and/or submission errors.
Click or tap as instructed. or not submitted properly.
OR
here to enter OR
text./3 ☐ The document was not
submitted as instructed. ☐ Structure and submission
problems
Grammar ☐ Almost entirely free of ☐ May contain a few spelling ☐ Several distracting spelling ☐ Contains many spelling and/or
E=3 spelling and grammar errors. and/or grammar errors, but and/or grammar errors. grammar errors.
G=2
they don’t impede
S=1 ☐ Is difficult to read.
U=0 understanding.
Click or tap
here to enter
text./3