Research Methods in Information Systems

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Seminars

Three hours of seminar discussion per week. Students are expected to attend all seminars and actively participate. This requires reading relevant material before the seminar. Students who miss two or more seminars will be required to show cause why they should not be failed in the subject. Students should expect to devote 10-12 hours per week to a single semester unit, with up to 9 hours each week preparing for the class and completing assignments and 3 hours each week in class.

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It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their active and safe participation in a subject are encouraged to discuss this with the relevant subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

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. Topics covered include the nature of research, the scientific method, theory and research, research paradigms: positivist, interpretivist and critical research approaches, quantitative and qualitative data, measurement and quantitative data analysis techniques, qualitative data analysis techniques, research approaches in organisational information systems and interaction design: literature review and conceptual study, survey, experiment, case study, ethnography, cultural probes, design science.

Upon completion of this subject, students should:

• Be familiar with the main research methods used in IS research;
• Understand the main concepts underlying the selection of a research method for different types of research questions and stages of research;
• Develop an appreciation of the importance of both rigour and relevance in IS research.

A critical literature review of 2000 words (30%) due early semester; a research methods evaluation assignment of 2000 words (30%) due mid semester; a research design assignment of 2000 words (30%) due at the end of semester; participation in seminars and contributions to online discussion throughout the semester (10%).

Neuman, W.L. (2006) Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, Allyn and Bacon

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students should develop skills in literature search and analysis, critical thinking and independent learning.

This is a core subject in the BIS(Honours) course. Postgraduate coursework students, who are interested in undertaking a minor research project as part of their degree, must obtain permission from the MIS Academic coordinator to undertake this subject, prior to enrolment in ISYS90044 Minor Research Project in IS. Enrolments in ISYS90044 will be subject to supervisor availability.