 |
| Digital Divide |
Question- Online methodology is being used for day to day meetings, institutional approvals in the administration and for teaching and learning in education sector to the extent telemedicine in the health sector is getting popular with the approvals of the competent authority. No doubt, it has advantages and disadvantages for both the beneficiaries and the system at large. Describe and discuss the ethical issues involved in the use of online method particularly to the vulnerable sector of the society. UPSC CSE GS 4, Ethics Integrity Aptitude
Answer
Online methodology is the use of digital tools and platforms to conduct various activities and transactions online, such as meetings, approvals, teaching, learning, medicine, etc. Online methodology has become more prevalent and popular due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced many sectors and institutions to shift to online modes of operation and service delivery. Online methodology has advantages and disadvantages for both the beneficiaries and the system at large. Some of the advantages are:
Online methodology can increase the accessibility, convenience, efficiency, and effectiveness of various activities and transactions, as it can overcome the barriers of time, distance, cost, and availability. Online methodology can also enable more flexibility, customization, and innovation in the design and delivery of various services and products.
Online methodology can enhance the communication, collaboration, participation, and feedback among various stakeholders, such as government officials, educators, learners, health professionals, patients, etc. Online methodology can also facilitate the sharing of information, knowledge, resources, and best practices across different sectors and domains.
Online methodology can improve the quality, transparency, accountability, and responsiveness of various activities and transactions, as it can provide more data, evidence, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting mechanisms. Online methodology can also support the decision-making, problem-solving, and learning processes of various stakeholders.
Some of the disadvantages are:
Online methodology can pose various ethical issues and challenges that need to be addressed and resolved. Some of these issues are:
Participant knowledge and consent: Online methodology may involve collecting or using personal or sensitive data from various participants or users without their adequate knowledge or consent. This may violate their privacy, autonomy, dignity, or rights. Online methodology may also expose participants or users to various risks or harms without their informed consent or protection.
Data privacy, security, anonymity, and confidentiality: Online methodology may involve storing or transmitting personal or sensitive data on various digital platforms or networks that may not be secure or reliable. This may expose the data to unauthorized access, misuse, theft, loss, or damage. Online methodology may also compromise the anonymity or confidentiality of participants or users by revealing their identities or information to others without their permission or awareness.
Integrity of data: Online methodology may involve manipulating or altering data for various purposes or motives that may not be ethical or valid. This may compromise the accuracy, validity, reliability, or quality of data. Online methodology may also involve plagiarizing or infringing the intellectual property rights of others by using their data without proper citation or acknowledgment.
Community, disciplinary, and professional standards or norms: Online methodology may involve violating or disregarding the established standards or norms of various communities, disciplines, or professions that regulate the conduct and practice of online activities or transactions. This may undermine the trustworthiness, credibility, reputation, or responsibility of various stakeholders.
Online methodology can also create various social issues and challenges that need to be addressed and resolved. Some of these issues are:
Access: Online methodology may exclude or marginalize some sections of society who do not have adequate access to digital devices, internet connectivity, literacy skills, or resources to participate in online activities or transactions. This may create a digital divide or inequality among different groups or individuals.
Quality: Online methodology may compromise or reduce the quality of some activities or transactions that require human interaction, physical presence, emotional connection, or practical experience. This may affect the learning outcomes, health outcomes, satisfaction levels, or well-being of some participants or users .
Academic honesty and gatekeeping: Online methodology may facilitate or encourage academic dishonesty such as cheating, plagiarism, fraud, etc., among some students who take advantage of online assessment methods that are not proctored or verified. Online methodology may also challenge the gatekeeping function of some educators who need to ensure that only qualified and competent students graduate from their courses or programs .
Therefore, online methodology is a useful and innovative way of conducting various activities
and transactions online, but it also involves various ethical and social issues and challenges that need to be considered and addressed by both the beneficiaries and the system at large.
Online methodology requires a balance between the benefits and the risks, the opportunities and the responsibilities, the advantages and the disadvantages. Online methodology also requires a constant and collaborative effort to ensure that it is ethical, legal, safe, and fair for all.