ISM 788, Fall 2011
Seminar in IS Research Methods
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Information Systems and Operations Management Department
Professor:
Office:
Class Meets:
Website:
Dr. Prashant Palvia
Phone:
334.4818
424 Bryan Building
Email:
pcpalvia@uncg.edu
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Class Room: 433 Bryan
http://blackboard.uncg.edu
http://www.uncg.edu/bae/people/palvia/
Office Hours: Monday: 2 PM to 3 PM, Wednesday: 2 PM To 3 PM
Also by appointment
DESCRIPTION:
Catalog Description: Research process and various design elements for quantitative and qualitative
research in information systems.
This is an experiential research course. Borrowing from Bloom’s taxonomy of the levels of
learning, this course goes beyond the knowledge and comprehension aspects of the research
process that you learned in previous courses, to the actual conduct and application of research
methods in IS. ISM 788 is designed to get you “immersed” in the research process, learn about
various specifics and techniques, and get you ready for the dissertation writing process. About
three-fourths of the course is project-based. Through the conceptualization, design and execution
of a major research project, you will be able to experience and apply key tenets of research,
concepts, methods, and various techniques. These include literature search, knowledge evaluation,
theory and model building, hypotheses generation, research design, constructs, variables,
instrument development, assumptions, analysis, and interpretation. You will also gain first-hand
experience with various methodologies, especially surveys, experiments, and case studies. While
the course is not about statistics per se, a good knowledge of fundamental statistical concepts and
methods is presumed.
The course requires you to complete various milestones in completing the research project. It
requires your active involvement and participation. As with any doctoral course, the more you put
into it – the more you will get out of it. I will be happy to meet with you outside of the classroom
(at times it may be necessary to replace a class with separate meetings). When you emerge from
this course, you may not be an expert on research but will not be a novice either, and will be able
to appreciate your adventure and build further on a solid foundation.
Course Materials:
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Required: Case Study Research: Design and Methods, by Robert K. Yin, Sage Publications,
2009, Fourth Edition
Required: Writing the Doctoral Dissertation, by Gordon B. Davis and Clyde A. Parker,
Barrons, 1997.
Required: Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design. John W. Creswell, Sage Publications, Second
Edition, 2007.
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Reference: Business Research Methods, by Cooper and Schindler, McGraw-Hill Irwin. Any
edition since 2005, even paperback is fine.
Journal articles (see list of articles)
AIS web site: http://www.aisnet.org/, look under Community and Research
GITMA web site: http://www.gitma.org
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
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Explain the entire research process for both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
Conduct literature review and analysis of relevant domains in Information Systems.
Identify and evaluate potential researchable areas.
Prepare topic analyses of ideas suitable for dissertation research.
Apply theories for the development of research questions, model, and hypotheses.
Evaluate different quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
Explore the details of the “case study” methodology.
Develop and evaluate instruments for data collection.
Create experimental designs suitable for the research questions at hand.
Apply different research methodologies to IS topics.
Utilize various data analysis techniques.
Describe the limitations of various research methods.
Learn the process of preparing research articles.
Prepare research articles for top-tier conferences and journals.
Develop “writing” skills for journal publications.
Prepare outlines of dissertation proposal and the dissertation itself.
Teaching Strategies:
Since this seminar is not a lecture course, active project work and class interaction are essential.
Students are expected to come to report on their project milestones, bring questions, and be
prepared to discuss issues and readings on a particular topic. The course will be coordinated
through a combination of lectures, class discussions, research projects, analysis of articles, and
presentations by students. Students will be provided detailed guidelines for making presentations,
discussions, and various research projects.
Evaluation: These are rough percentages; may change if necessary.
Class participation and presentations:
20%
Research Project
Includes: Topic analysis, Proposal, Protocols,
Procedures & Instruments, Pilot, Data collection
& analysis, and Final Paper
60%
Examination(s)
20%
Total
100%
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Readings:
This list is subject to change and may be revised with more current and topical
articles.
Theory
1. Whetten. 1989. What constitutes a theoretical contribution? Academy of Management
Review, 14: 490-495.
2. Bacharach. S.B. Organizational Theories: Some Criteria for Evaluation. Academy of
Management Review, 14(4), 1989, 496-515.
3. Gregor, S. The Nature of Theory in Information Systems. MIS Quarterly, Vol. 30, No 3,
September 2006, pp. 611-642.
Methodologies and Models
4. Palvia, P., Leary, T.D., Mao, E., Midha, V., Pinjani, P., and Salam, A.F. “Research
Methodologies In MIS: An Update.” Communications of the AIS. Vol 14, article 24,
November 2004, pp. 526-542.
5. Palvia, P., Midha, V., and Pinjani, P. ”Research Models in Information Systems.”
Communications of the Association for Information Systems. Volume 17, Article 47, June
2006, pp. 1042-1063.
Case Studies
6. Benbasat, I., Goldstein, D. K., and Mead, M., "The Case Research Strategy in Studies of
Information Systems," MIS Quarterly (September 1987), pp. 369-386.
7. Lee, A.S. A scientific methodology for MIS case studies. MIS Quarterly, 13(1), March 1989,
pp. 33-50.
8. Case Study Book – Chapter 1
9. Case Study Book – Chapter 2
10. Case Study Book – Chapter 3
11. Case Study Book – Chapter 4
12. Case Study Book – Chapter 5
13. Case Study Book – Chapter 6
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Experiments
14. Mason, R. O. MIS Experiments: A Pragmatic Evaluation. Harvard Business School Research
Colloquium, 1989.
15. Jarvenpaa, S. L., Dickson, G. W., and DeSanctis, G. Methodological Issues in Experimental IS
Research: Experiences and Recommendations. MIS Quarterly, June 1985, pp. 141-156.
16. Chapter 14, Cooper & Schindler book.
17. The Basics of Experimental Design [A Quick and Non-Technical Guide]. Internet Source.
18. Liao, C., and Palvia, P. The Impact of Data Models and Task Productivity on End-User
Performance: An Experimental Investigation. International Journal of Human-Computer
Studies. Vol 52, 2000, pp. 831-845.
Surveys
19. Churchill, G.A., A Paradigm for Developing Better Marketing Constructs, Journal of
Marketing Research, Vol. 26, 1979, pp.64-73.
20. Grover, V. A Tutorial on Survey Research: From Constructs to Theory. Working Paper,
Clemson University, 2007. http://people.clemson.edu/~vgrover/survey/MIS-SUVY.html
21. Straub, D.W. Validating Instruments in MIS Research. MIS Quarterly, Volume 13, No 2, June
1989, pp. 147-166.
22. Webster, J., and Martocchio, J.J., Microcomputer Playfulness: Development of a Measure with
Workplace Implications. MIS Quarterly, June 1992. pp. 201-224.
Analysis
23. Mao, E., and Palvia, P. "Testing an Extended Model of IT Acceptance in the Chinese Cultural
Context.” Data Base. Vol. 37, Nos. 2&3, Spring/Summer 2006, pp. 20-32.
24. Palvia, P., King, R.C., Xia, W. and Palvia, S. “Capability, Quality and Performance of
Offshore IS Vendors: A Theoretical Framework and Empirical Investigation.” Decision
Sciences. Volume 41 Number 2, May 2010.
25. Palvia, P. “The Role of Trust in E-Commerce Relational Exchange: A Unified Model.”
Information & Management. 46, 2009, pp. 213-220.
Other
26. Lee, A.S. Reviewing a Manuscript for Publication. Journal of Operations Management, Vol 13,
No 1, July 1995, pp. 87-92.
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27. Cohen, E., and Palvia, P. Ten Tips for Journal Manuscript Reviewers. Information Management
Bulletin, Vol. 5, No. 1 & 2, May 1992, pp. 6, 11, 13.
28. Chinneck, J.W. How to Organize Your Thesis. Working Paper, Carleton University, 1999.
29. Day, A. How to Write Publishable Papers. March 2001.
30. Hevner, S. March, J. Park, and S. Ram, "Design Science Research in Information Systems,"
Management Information Systems Quarterly, Vol. 28,No. 1, March 2004, pp. 75-105.
31. Klein, H.K. and Myers, M.D. A Set of Principles for Conducting and Evaluating Interpretive
Field Studies in Information Systems. MIS Quarterly, Vol 23, No 1, March 1999, pp. 67-93.
32. Mingers, J. (2001). Combining IS Research Methods: Towards a Pluralist Methodology. ISR,
12(3), 240-251.
In addition, several chapters from the Davis & Parker book.
Tentative Schedule: The following schedule provides a general guideline only. We are very likely
to make changes along the way. I fully expect to get into discussions of many related areas.
Week
Topic
Introduction, course overview,
research process, discuss possible
project topics
Role of theory, Present project topics
Readings & Assignments
Read Davis & Parker: chapters 1, 2,
and chapter 6, pp. 54-63.
Students to discuss research interests
Whetten, Bacharach
Bring 2 or 3 research topics
1
August 24
2
August 31
3
September 7
Role of theory, Methodologies and
models, Present topic analyses
Gregor, Readings 4-5
Two topic analyses due
4
September 14
Discuss case method
Discuss research model and proposal
Case book Ch 1, Ch2, Ch 3
5
September 21
Discuss case method
Present research protocol
Case book Ch 4
Proposal due
6
September 28
Discuss case method
Discuss procedure and instruments
Case book Ch 5, Ch 6
Protocol due
7
October 5
More qualitative methods
Chapters from Creswell book,
Reading 31
8
October 12
Readings 14-18, Work on pilot
Procedures & instruments due
9
October 19
Discuss the experimental method
Midterm Exam
Catch-up
Discuss the survey method
Readings 19-22
5
10 October 26
Present pilot
11 November 2
Data collection
Interim review, Q & A, Reviewing
journal manuscripts
Data collection, Q & A
Present manuscript reviews
12 November 9
13 November 16
14 November 23
15 November 30
16 To be decided
Data analysis and interpretation,
SEM analysis, Q & A
Thanksgiving Holiday
Design Science, Wrap-up,
Miscellaneous
Final Exam
Pilot report due
Davis-Parker: Ch 3
Readings 26, 27
Davis-Parker: Ch 4, 5
Assign journal papers to review
Manuscript review due
GITMA conference paper due
Readings 23, 24, 25
Davis-Parker: 6, 7, 8
Davis-Parker, Ch 9, 10, 11, 12,
Readings 28, 29
To be assigned depending on how
much time we have.
AMCIS paper due
ICIS paper outline due
Academic Honor Code: Each student is required to sign the Academic Integrity Policy on all
work submitted for this course. The policy can be viewed at:
http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu/complete/
Attendance:
Students are expected to attend all classes. A student should contact the
instructor where work needs and/or health problems make attendance
impossible.
Additional Notes:
Students are expected to be prepared for each meeting and participate fully
in class discussion. Since class participation is part of a student’s final
grade, failure to prepare and participate will have consequences. All work
must be turned in by the due date.
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