UQ Business School
25th February 2025
BISM7221 Information Systems
Governance and Assurance
Ethical IT Decision-Making and IT
governance Assessment Guideline
SEMESTER 1 2025
UQ Business School
25th February 2025
BISM7221 Information Systems Governance and Assurance Essay Assessment Guideline (Semester 1 2025) 1
Purpose
This document identifies the requirements for this assessment and a marking rubric to provide guidance in
undertaking this assessment.
Details:
Type:
Essay
Due Date:
3:00pm 15th April 2025
Weight:
30%
In Brief:
One 2,000-word essay that explores the relationship between ethical IT decision-making and
information technology governance.
Task Description
This 2,000 word essay explores the relationship between ethical IT decision-making in business and IT
governance. This is an individual assignment, and while students are expected to discuss the essay with
their peers the submitted assessment item is to be the student's own work in line with the University's
requirements for academic integrity. The essay is to be supported by current research (as outlined in the
Assessment Guideline), and corroborated through examples from non-academic sources.
Key to success in this assessment item is to undertake a structured exploration of ethical IT decision-making
and how this is affected by different IT governance mechanisms. Specifically, the essay will identify three IT
governance (structural, process or relational mechanisms) that are most suited for ensuring ethical IT
decision making. The student's depth of understanding is demonstrated and supported by the use of
independent personal research. Pithy and clear writing through adherence to the conventions of essay
writing is also important.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides emerging tools that may support students in completing this
assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI in completing this assessment task. Students
must clearly reference any use of AI in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code
of Conduct.
Further information regarding this assessment is provided below.
Criteria & Marking
Assessment is made according to the essay's Introduction, motivation, and signposting, Definition,
Description and discussion of Ethical IT Decision-Making and IT Governance, Analysis of implications of IT
governance for ethical IT decision-making, Summary of insights and conclusion, and Quality of professional
writing and presentation.
Further information regarding criteria and marking is provided in the Assessment Guideline.
UQ Business School
25th February 2025
BISM7221 Information Systems Governance and Assurance Essay Assessment Guideline (Semester 1 2025) 2
Requirements
Use of Artificial Intelligence
In this Assessment Guideline it is noted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides emerging tools that may
support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI in completing this
assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of
Conduct.
The University of Queensland has specific rules for the use of artificial intelligence – refer to the web page
‘UQ’s rules for using AI’.
The current UQ rules on AI use are (as at 25th February 2025):
• You must not use AI in your assessment task if your course profile states that it is not allowed.
• You can use AI in an assessment if it is allowed by your course coordinator.
• If AI use is allowed, you must follow the instructions specified in the assessment task.
• If AI use is allowed, you must acknowledge and reference your use.
In this course, AI is allowed and must be acknowledged and you must reference your use according to the
course coordinator’s requirements.
The instructions specified in the assessment task are as follows.
You might use AI in several ways:
• To generate ideas that you have adapted.
This requires general acknowledgement.
• To generate a summary of specific material(s) you identified and used to inform your work.
This
requires general acknowledgement.
• To support your writing (e.g. grammar, spelling, sentencing, or phrasing) and enhance the clarity of
your expression.
This requires general acknowledgement.
• To machine translate from one language to another. This requires general acknowledgement.
• To derive and build content (including arguments, structure, examples, facts, or sources) that you
include directly in your work with little adaptation. This requires both general acknowledgement.
and citation according to the APA 7 rules.
General acknowledgement of the use of AI tools requires a table on the assignment cover page. If the
table is too large, reference it on the cover page and direct readers to an appendix with the table. Use the
UQ exemplar below as a guide for your table:
UQ Business School
25th February 2025
BISM7221 Information Systems Governance and Assurance Essay Assessment Guideline (Semester 1 2025) 3
If you have not used artificial intelligence in this assessment task, you should then note this on the
cover page.
When you have used artificial intelligence to derive and build content you must specifically cite the content
according to APA guidance given on their blog (https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/how-to-cite-chatgpt).
As a
summary:
• In-text quotation:
If the work is a direct copy-and-paste – indicate the AI prompt used (in-text or as
a footnote) and surround the text with quotation marks with AI source indicated as usual (Author
Source, Year).
• In-text citation:
If you have adapted specific text from the AI, then indicate the AI prompt used (in- text or as a footnote) and reword as appropriate.
• Reference:
Indicate the source in the reference list as you usually would with the tool noted as the
author:
References
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model].
https://chat.openai.com/chat
Check the library’s website for more context on these instructions.
Scope
This assessment item requires you to consider the nature of the relationship between ethical IT decision- making and Information Technology Governance.
In lectures, the class will discuss different aspects of ethical IT decision-making and rationalist and non- rationalist approaches to understanding ethical decision-making. We will also consider aspects of IT
governance, its nature, and the Foundation for Execution (including, but not limited to, Operating Model,
Enterprise Architecture, and the Engagement Model).
You should provide an introduction for your essay that outlines your purpose (why it is being written) and
objectives (goals) of the essay. You need to identify the scope (i.e. the topics to be covered) in the
introduction. The introduction should also outline the audience (who is the intended reader). For example,
your essay might provide recommendations for consultants advising business on their IT governance
arrangements, or managers looking to improve the quality of their IT decision-making.
As this is a relatively short essay, the scope should set the boundaries to be considered in this essay within
the general, broad, topic. For example, you might wish to explore the implications of only one aspect of IT
governance for a particular type of ethical IT decision. This decision would increase the focus of your essay
and make analysis more clear and easier to perform. You will need to identify why this scope is of interest to
your intended audience.
The introduction should also identify the structure adopted (that is, the essay should use signposting1).
Early in the essay you are required to define (state what it is) and illustrate (provide an example) of ethical
IT decision-making. Similarly, you should define (state what it is) and illustrate (provide an example) of IT
governance. You should support your definitions for IT decision-making and IT governance with
independent research from peer reviewed, quality, academic literature.
You should also discuss the roles of both ethical IT decision-making and information technology governance
in business (i.e., why they are important to business).
You should then analyse the relationship between ethical IT decision-making and IT governance in your
chosen scope and intended audience. In this analysis you might look for explanatory relationships that
answer questions such as:
1 In the introduction, signposting is a final sentence or several sentences that identify the broad outline of the
essay.
For example, “This essay will [first] outline/examine/address/argue/demonstrate/focus on … and will
[then] ascertain/establish/clarify/show/judge/prove … Next, it closely examines ... in relation to ... Finally, it
focuses on ... and how this affects ...
To understand the role of …, this essay provides a discussion of …”
UQ Business School
25th February 2025
BISM7221 Information Systems Governance and Assurance Essay Assessment Guideline (Semester 1 2025) 4
• What does it mean for ethical IT decision-making if this type of IT governance is mature and
executed well?
• Is there an impact on ethical IT decision-making if this type of IT governance is very weak or absent
altogether?
• How do the IT governance arrangements of IT governance affect ethical IT decision-making?
• How does ethical IT decision-making have an impact upon IT governance arrangements?
• Is it important for IT decision-making to be ethical in the context of mature IT governance?
In your analysis you should look to identify ethical issues associated with the topic and discuss these
issues. The discussion should support your scope and intended audience.
The discussion should consider
the different perspectives of multiple stakeholders that are affected by, influenced by, or that take part in
the ethical IT decision-making considered in your scope.
Your essay should set out at least two
recommendations and proposals that are relevant to the intended audience and consider how they
might differ to current practice.
This analysis should be supported by independent peer reviewed
research, particularly in relation to the recommendations and proposals.
Finally, conclude your essay by succinctly summarising the important insights (scope, definitions, role,
and implications) from the full scope of your essay. This should include a re-statement of the
recommendations and proposals made to your intended audience.
An abstract should be provided that
reflects these insights and motivates a prospective reader to read your essay.
At all times the essay should be professionally presented (grammar, spelling, consistent formatting) and
well-organised, cohesive, and logical (signposting, headings, linking words, or short phrases that guide
the reader).
You should feel free to speak to the lecturer or tutors during consultation times to confirm your approach.
Format
Your essay should be typed (in Times Roman/Arial or equivalent 12-point font or larger, single-spaced) and it
should be approximately 2,000 words in length (excluding abstract, appendices, figure/diagrams/tables,
and references).
The essay must have a cover/title page, abstract, an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. On the title
page note the essay title, your student number, name, the course code and course title, the date, the word
count (excluding abstract, appendices, figures/diagrams/tables, and references), and the referencing
style used.
NOTE THE REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND/OR SPECIFIC CITATION OF
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOURCES AND TOOLS USED.
Appendices may not be needed, but if required a maximum of 3 appendices is allowed. Each appendix
should be no more than 3 pages each. Tables should not exceed one page. References can be cited using
APA 7th style.. The reference style selected must be noted on the cover page. Other citation styles may
be allowed through permission granted by the lecturer.
A reference list of all sources cited in the essay should be provided at the end of the essay.
Figures/diagrams/tables should not exceed one page.
NOTE: THE WORD LIMIT EXCLUDES THE ABSTRACT, APPENDICES, FIGURES, DIAGRAMS,
TABLES, FOOTNOTES, ENDNOTES, AND REFERENCES IN THE REFERENCE LIST.
UQ Business School
25th February 2025
BISM7221 Information Systems Governance and Assurance Essay Assessment Guideline (Semester 1 2025) 5
Frequently Asked Questions:
• Can I use Artificial Intelligence in this essay?
In the essay description it is noted that artificial intelligence (AI) provides emerging tools that may
support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI in
completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code
of Conduct.
You are required to generally acknowledge the use of artificial intelligence tools and sources, and as
appropriate specifically cite artificial intelligence sources.
The use of artificial intelligence is
discussed above.
• Should I use Artificial Intelligence in this essay?
Basically, this is up to you. Artificial intelligence tools require great skill to handle deftly. In particular,
if you extensively rely on sources extensively derived from artificial intelligence without adaptation
you will do little to demonstrate your analysis and understanding skills.
Further, AI tools tend to use
words that do not sound ‘natural’ to the English speaker – they often use overly complex words and
phrasing formalities that do not match the tone of the essay.
AI tools are useful in brainstorming activities, improving writing, and summarising multiple sources.
You should be very aware of the need to demonstrate your understanding of the topic rather than
simply ‘letting AI do the work’.
You should note that artificial intelligence sources are secondary sources and do not show
independent research.
Ultimately, the choice to use AI is up to you; however, indiscriminate and unguided use often ends
up being ineffective.
• How many independently researched quality academic sources are required?
Academic sources are required as noted in the rubric. As a minimum, ten (10) independently
researched quality academic sources are needed in defining, describing, and discussing Ethical IT
Decision-Making and IT governance.
A further two (2) independently researched quality academic
sources are needed analysing the implications of your findings.
• What are independently researched quality academic sources?
These 10 sources should be of high quality and relevant.
Generally, this means less than 10 years
or so old – though for important and seminal sources they may be older than this).
Academic, peer-reviewed sources provided as reading material in the course (i.e. the source
appears on a slide deck in the course materials or on the course profile) do not demonstrate
independent research.
Lecture notes are secondary sources and do not show independent research and should be
avoided. Similarly, artificial intelligence sources are secondary sources and do not show
independent research for similar reasons.
For simplicity and clarity, a quality academic source is a paper from any journal listed on the
Australian Business Deans Council Journal Quality List that has a ranking of B, A, or A* (see
here: https://abdc.edu.au/research/abdc-journal-quality-list/.
Alternatively, a journal with an ‘impact factor’ > 1.5 would also qualify – see here:
http://www.researchsor.com.
UQ Business School
25th February 2025
BISM7221 Information Systems Governance and Assurance Essay Assessment Guideline (Semester 1 2025) 6
Books or book chapters authored by university researchers are considered as ‘academic
peer reviewed sources’ for the purpose of this essay. The ISACA Journal, the professional
body ISACA’s magazine, may also be considered a quality academic source for this course.
Note that you can still cite literature that is not ‘quality’ or ‘academic’ but it will not count as
one of your 10 high quality and relevant sources.
There are videos provided in Learn.UQ for this course that provides hints and tips for finding
references to support your essay.
A reference list should be included at the end of the essay. This reference list should be prepared in
according with the nominated referencing style.
• How tight are the word limits?
Assignments that exceed the 2,000-word length substantially will reflect this lack of clarity and
conciseness in the marks allocated for quality of referencing, professional writing, and presentation
in the assessment rubric accordingly. Assignments that do not meet the minimum 2,000-word length
would likely not address the criteria relating to definition, description, discussion, and analysis.
As a ‘rule of thumb’ – aim for somewhere between 1,800 and 2,200 words.
Note especially that the word limit does not include the abstract, appendices, figures,
diagrams, tables, or references in the reference list.
• What goes on the cover page again?
On the cover/title page note the essay title, your student number, name, the course code and course
title, the date, the word count (excluding Cover Page, Abstract, Figures/Diagrams/Tables,
Appendices and References) and the reference citation style.
You should document the extent and type of use of AI tools on the cover page in a table, or
include a note to identify that it has not been used or that it appears in the appendices.
Assignment Submission
There will be electronic submission of assignments through TurnItIn in the course website (Learn.UQ) under
Assessment. The drop-box will remain open to allow for late submission.
Your document must be submitted in either Microsoft Word document format or PDF format.
You must name your document with your last name followed by your initial(s) (e.g., Smith_A.doc). All
students will receive an electronic copy of their marked assignment through Learn.UQ.
When you submit your assignment to the drop−box, this act will certify that you have acknowledged and
understand the Plagiarism Statute of the University of Queensland.
You may be able to apply for an extension.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours (or part thereof) from time
submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment
The criterion-based marking rubric below applies the Criteria and Marking noted above. Part marks are
rounded up to the nearest half mark.
Additional information
Additional information will be given to students in classes on how to undertake the assignment.
BISM7221 - MARKING RUBRIC: ETHICAL IT DECISION-MAKING AND IT GOVERNANCE
BISM7221 Information Systems Governance and Assurance Essay Assessment Guideline (Semester 1 2025) 7
Assessed out of 100 points and scaled back to 30 marks. Part marks are rounded up to the nearest half mark.
Outstanding
(85% to 100%)
Very Good
(65% to < 85%)
Meets Expectations
(50% to < 65%)
Fail
(30% to < 50%)
Low Fail
(0 to < 30%)
Introduction, motivation, and signposting (10 points)
You have fully identified the purpose,
objectives & scope of the essay.
You have clearly identified the
purpose, objectives & scope of the
essay.
You have identified the purpose,
objectives & scope of the essay.
You have struggled to identify the
purpose, objectives & scope of the
essay.
You have not identified the purpose,
objectives & scope of the essay.
You have fully identified the intended
audience of the essay.
You have clearly identified the
intended audience of the essay.
You have identified the intended
audience of the essay.
You have struggled to identify the
intended audience of the essay.
You have not identified the intended
audience of the essay.
You have clearly indicated the
structure of the essay in the
introduction using signposting.
You have indicated the structure of the
essay in the introduction using
signposting.
You have indicated the structure of the
essay in the introduction using
signposting.
You have struggled to indicate the
structure of the essay in the
introduction.
You have not indicated the structure of
the essay in the introduction.
Definition, description, and discussion of Ethical IT Decision-Making and IT governance (30 points)
You have provided a very good
definition of ethical IT decision-making
with at least 4 high quality independent
sources from the literature and
provided an outstanding example.
You have provided a good definition of
ethical IT decision-making with at least
4 quality independent sources from the
literature and provided a very good
example.
You have defined ethical IT decision- making using at least 4 independent
sources from the literature and
provided a relevant example.
You have defined ethical IT decision- making, but this work is incomplete,
inaccurate, or not supported by at least
4 independent sources from the
literature or no example is provided.
You have not defined ethical IT
decision-making and no example is
provided.
Your discussion fully relates ethical IT
decision-making to its role in business.
Your discussion relates ethical IT
decision-making to its role in business.
You have discussed ethical IT
decision-making.
An incomplete or cursory discussion of
ethical IT decision-making is provided.
No discussion of ethical IT decision- making is provided.
You have provided an excellent
definition of IT governance with at least
4 quality independent sources from the
literature and provided an outstanding
example
You have provided a very good and
clear definition of IT governance using
at least 4 quality independent sources
from the literature and provided a very
good example.
You have defined IT governance from
the literature using at least 4
independent sources from the
literature and provided a relevant
example.
You have defined IT governance, but
this work is incomplete or inaccurate or
not supported by at least 4 quality
independent sources from the
literature.
You have not defined and described IT
governance.
Your discussion contextualises IT
governance to business.
Your discussion relates IT governance
to business.
You have adequately discussed IT
governance.
Discussion of IT governance is
incomplete or cursory
No discussion of IT governance is
provided.
Analysis of Implications of IT governance for ethical IT decision-making (30 points)
An insightful explanatory relationship
between IT governance practices &
ethical IT decision-making is explored.
An explanatory relationship between IT
governance practices & ethical IT
decision-making is explored.
A relationship between IT governance
and ethical IT decision-making is
explicitly considered.
A relationship between IT governance
and ethical IT decision-making is
implied but not explicitly considered.
A relationship between IT governance
and ethical IT decision-making is not
identified.
The work succinctly and effectively
identifies all the most relevant ethical
issues associated with this topic.
The work effectively identifies some of
the most relevant ethical issues
associated with this topic.
The work identifies some relevant
ethical issues associated with this
topic.
The work identifies some or irrelevant
ethical issues associated with this
topic.
The work does not identify any ethical
issues associated with this topic.
The work provides a thorough and
insightful discussion on the ethical
issues associated with this topic.
The work provides a detailed and
attentive discussion of the ethical
issues associated with this topic.
The work provides a careful,
considered, or appropriate discussion
of some of the ethical issues
associated with this topic.
The work provides a superficial or
inappropriate discussion of the ethical
nature of the issues associated with
this topic.
The work does not provide a
discussion of the ethical nature of the
issues associated with this topic.
BISM7221 - MARKING RUBRIC: ETHICAL IT DECISION-MAKING AND IT GOVERNANCE
BISM7221 Information Systems Governance and Assurance Essay Assessment Guideline (Semester 1 2025) 8
The work demonstrates a critical,
complete, and effective evaluation of
the broad ethical scope of this topic. All
appropriate stakeholder perspectives
are carefully examined before
providing a detailed and thoughtful
conclusion.
The work demonstrates an extensive
and effective evaluation of the broad
ethical scope of this topic. All
appropriate stakeholder perspectives
are examined before providing a
detailed conclusion.
The work demonstrates an evaluation
of the broad ethical scope of this topic.
More than one appropriate stakeholder
perspective is considered.
The work demonstrates a limited,
ineffective, or confusing evaluation of
the ethical issues. One or more
inappropriate stakeholder perspectives
are considered.
The work does not demonstrate an
evaluation of ethical issues. No
stakeholder perspectives are
considered.
The recommendations and proposals
are original, evidenced and actionable,
and a critical self-awareness of past
and future ideas and actions is
compellingly presented.
The recommendations and proposals
are insightful, evidenced and well- defined, and a critical self-awareness
of past and future ideas and actions is
presented.
The recommendations and proposals
are defined, and some reflection of
past ideas and actions is presented.
The recommendations and proposals
are shallow or unsupported, and
reflection of past or future ideas and
actions is vague or unclear.
The recommendations and proposals
are not defined, and no reflection of
past or future ideas and actions is
presented.
Very good independent academic
research (at least 2 quality sources) is
considered in the analysis, with
contrasting views considered.
Very good independent academic
research (at least 2 quality sources) is
considered in support of this analysis.
Adequate independent academic
research (at least 2 quality sources) is
cited in support of this analysis.
Inadequate academic research (<2
sources) is accessed in this analysis.
No independent academic research is
accessed in this analysis.
Summary of insights and conclusion (20 points)
An abstract is provided that is succinct,
thoughtful, & addresses the full scope
of the essay.
An abstract is provided that is succinct,
clear and address the full scope of the
essay.
An abstract is provided that is succinct
and clear.
An abstract is provided but it is weak
and incomplete.
No abstract is provided.
The conclusion is a succinct and
thoughtful summary.
The conclusion is succinct and
addresses all the scope of the essay.
The conclusion is succinct and
addresses most of the scope of the
essay.
The conclusion is very brief and does
not address the full scope of the essay.
No conclusion is present, or the essay
ends abruptly.
A relevant and concise summary of the
insights for consultants from the essay
is provided, and it reflects the
important points made.
A relevant and concise summary of the
insights for consultants from the essay
provided.
A relevant summary of the insights for
consultants from the essay is provided.
An inadequate summary of the insights
for consultants from the essay is
provided.
No summary of the insights for
consultants from the essay is provided.
Quality of professional writing and presentation (10 points)
The essay is consistently presented to
a high professional business standard
(grammar, spelling, formatting,
referencing) with clear arguments that
demonstrate logical flow.
The essay is consistently presented to
a high professional business standard
(grammar, spelling, formatting,
referencing) with clear arguments.
The essay is consistently presented to
an adequate professional business
standard (grammar, spelling,
formatting, referencing).
The essay is not consistently
presented to an acceptable
professional business standard
(grammar, spelling, formatting,
referencing).
The essay is not presented to an
acceptable professional business
standard (grammar, spelling,
formatting, referencing).
The essay demonstrates an excellent
level of organization and cohesion.
The essay demonstrates a very good
level of organization and cohesion.
The essay demonstrates adequate to
good organization and cohesion.
The essay demonstrates little
organization and cohesion.
The essay demonstrates a very poor
level of organization and cohesion.
Prepared by:
Micheal Axelsen
Senior Lecturer (Business Information Systems)
Date:
25th February 2025
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