Ethical Relationships in Service-Learning Partnerships

This exploratory study analyzed ethical problems experienced in service-learning partnerships. The researchers used ethical inquiry in semi-structured interviews with five faculty members, five students, and three community partners who had participated in service-learning partnerships associated with five faculty members, five students, and three community partners who had participated in service-learning partnerships associated with five private liberal arts colleges. Analysis yielded six categories of ethical problems and a description of participants resolutions and rationale for their decisions. The authors discuss implications for reducing ethical conflict and resolving ethical problems in service-learning relationships, and for working with students. (Author)