Skills for IS Research and Development (ISYS90118)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Aims:
Information Systems as a discipline and practice usually informs a range of research skills. This subject will cover some of these essential skills such as carrying out critical literature review, designing research questions and methodologies, and comparing different approaches that are appropriate for primary research or development. Research skills are also essential for IS development projects, particularly in the requirements analysis and planning stages of development.
Research is a systematic process of answering questions to acquire new knowledge. Research in information systems questions how professional practice is conducted and contributes to the development of better practices. The subject provides students with coverage of how research is conducted within information systems, and how to critically assess published research and current practitioner knowledge. Topics covered include the nature of research, research design, approaches to development, theory and research, research paradigms: positivist, interpretivist and critical research approaches, quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and experimental research.
Indicative Content
Topics covered will include qualitative and quantitative research methods commonly used in social science research such as those often used in the Information Systems discipline. Also, covered will be epistemology and theory, methodology and methods; how to conduct a literature review and identify research questions; how to design research that is both rigorous and relevant; designing good processes for requirements analysis, research ethics; and understanding the limitations of different research models and development approaches.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- ILO1 - Locate and identify peer reviewed publications, and gray literature, and analyse their relevance to a research topic
- ILO2 - Critically analyse research papers to distil key messages
- ILO3 - Synthesize research publications to create a research question
- ILO4 - Research and justify a discipline-appropriate research method to answer a specific research question
- ILO5 - Critically analyse a given research approach against discipline norms in research ethics
- ILO6 - Reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of their chosen research method, in relation to a research or development context.
Generic skills
- Use libraries and research databases effectively
- Communicate complex ideas in writing
- Provide constructive feedback through peer review
- Act on constructive feedback
- Reflect on their own skills and preferences and the role these play in research
- Profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship
- Ability to plan a complex IS research and development project.
Last updated: 10 January 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMP90044 | Research Methods |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for
their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
The interactive lectures and tutorials are essential parts of the course requirement. Students are expected to attend at least 80% of tutorials and as many lectures as possible, where there will be interactive and peer learning exercises and activities.
Last updated: 10 January 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Tutorial Preparation and Participation (equivalent to 1000 words in total). 2 hours preparation and 2 hours attendance (5 two-hour tutorials). Due weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1-4 and 6 are addressed in this assessment.
| Throughout the teaching period | 20% |
Self-reflection research journal: Four journals of 150 words each over the semester. Estimated hours: 2 hours for each journal entry (8 hours in total). 5% each, 20% in total. Due weeks 3, 6, 9 and 12. ILOs 1 and 4-6 are addressed in this assessment.
| Throughout the teaching period | 20% |
Proposal Part 1: 1200 word proposal including reference. ILOs 1-3 are addressed in this assessment.
| Week 7 | 20% |
Final Proposal (building on feedback and initial work from part 1): 5200 words incorporating parts of proposal part 1 and references. ILOs 1-6 are addressed in this assessment.
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 10 January 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Rachelle Bosua Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours in total (2 hours Each week) comprising of 14 hours lectures and 10 hours tutorial. Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024 Census date 2 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024 Semester 2 contact information
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 10 January 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 10 January 2025