NEW Course: Information Systems Research Methods

Course Objective

The objective of this course is to provide students with the ability to identify appropriate research questions and use scientific research methods to answer them. The course will provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully complete a research thesis and also to solve practical problems in a more systematic way. The techniques covered are those of the “scientific method”, which are applicable across all disciplines and in both research and practice. The specific research methods covered in detail are:

1.	Action research

2.	Case study

3.	Design research

4.	Experiment

5.	Non-reactive (unobtrusive) research

Survey

Together these methods can be used to answer virtually any IS research question. The major deliverable from the course is a written research proposal, consisting of a complete research design which can be used as a basis for conducting their thesis research.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

·	Formulate a research question and define its theoretical and practical significance

·	Critically review relevant literature (considering both theory and research methodology used)

·	Develop a theoretical model, consisting of theoretical constructs, propositions and measures, based on their research question and literature analysis

·	Select the most appropriate research method(s) to address their research question

·	Design a research study (or studies) to answer their research question

Special Features

The unique features of this course compared to most other courses on research methods are:

·	Problem-based learning: participants learn by doing: rather than just learning the theory and philosophy of research, they will apply research methods to solve real problems taken from research, practice and everyday life.

·	Theory driven approach: emphasis is given to developing an explicit theoretical model as a basis for conducting research. The theoretical model provides the basis for research method selection, research design, data collection, data analysis and generalisation of results.

Multi-method approach: equal emphasis is given to quantitative and qualitative research methods and how to use them in combination to answer research questions. The full range of research methods applicable in IS research – quantitative vs qualitative, field vs laboratory, empirical vs non-empirical – is covered in the course.

·	Linking research and practice: the techniques taught can be applied equally well in IS research and practice. Specific emphasis is given to how research methods can be applied to solve practical problems as well as answer academic questions.

Assessment

The assessment consists of two components:

1.	Weekly Assignments (20%)

2.	Research Proposal (80%)

Teaching Resources

Textbook (optional): Trochim, W.M.K., The Research Methods Knowledge Base (2nd edition). 2001, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA: Atomic Dog Publishing.

Selected readings consisting of a combination of:

·	Articles about how to do research

·	Exemplars and counter-exemplars: examples of good and bad research taken from a range of disciplines

Maximum Number of Students

Much of the course revolves around class discussions and student presentations which are difficult to manage with groups larger than 20 students. Also, the aim is to work with students on a more or less individual basis in developing their research designs.

Fit with Existing Courses

This course addresses a perceived gap in the existing curriculum particularly with respect to qualitative research methods, which are very widely used in the Information Systems field.