ISM 786, Fall 2014
Introduction to Research and Frameworks in Information Systems
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Information Systems and Supply Chain Management Department
Professor: Dr. Prashant Palvia
Office: 426 Bryan Building
Phone:
Email:
336.334.4818 pcpalvia@uncg.edu
Class Meets: Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Class Room: 433 Bryan
Office Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday: 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. and others by appointment. If it is quick, you can stop by my office when I am there. You can also email me.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Provides an in-depth understanding of the research process. Topics include: IS frameworks and research methodologies, models, development, and evaluation.
DESCRIPTION:
This course will expose students to frameworks and research methods in the information systems discipline. The students will develop an in-depth understanding based on articles published in top tier and high quality journals and conference proceedings. It is expected that the student will start the research apprenticeship as part of this course and produce a research paper worthy of submission to a national conference/journal. This course would also prepare the student for further research development in Information Systems.
Course Materials:
Extensive readings (see list of articles)
Writing the Doctoral Dissertation: A Systematic Approach Paperback – September 1, 2012,
3 rd
edition, by Gordon B. Davis, Clyde A. Parker, and Detmar W. Straub. Highly recommended. Buy it now. We will use it in other courses as well.
Reference book: Business Research Methods, by Cooper and Schindler, McGraw-Hill Irwin,
12 th
edition, 2013. You can also use previous editions or another research methods book.
AIS web site: http://www.aisnet.org/ - sign up AISWorld listserv.
GITMA web site: http://www.gitma.org
Course Objectives:
1.
Study, analyze and critique key IS articles.
2.
Introduce key topics in IS from a research perspective.
3.
Review and critique IS framework articles.
4.
Examine different research methodologies in IS research.
5.
Conduct a broad survey of the IS literature.
6.
Learn the process of preparing research articles.
7.
Prepare professional reviews and understand the review process.
1

8.
Identify and evaluate potential researchable areas.
9.
Prepare topic analyses of "researchable" ideas suitable for dissertation research.
10.
Conduct literature analysis on a suitable research topic.
11.
Develop “writing” skills for journal publications.
12.
Understand various Ph.D. processes, including the dissertation.
Teaching Strategy:
This is a seminar, not a lecture course. Thus active student participation and interaction are essential. Students are expected to be prepared for each class and participate fully in class discussions. Active participation is part of the final grade; so failure to prepare and participate will have consequences. There are several intensive activities outside of the class and work must be turned in by the due date.
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.
Electronic Mail and BlackBoard:
You should check Blackboard and email regularly. You will be responsible for any information or announcements posted on Blackboard and email
Evaluation:
Your grade is based on the following work and activities:
Class participation and presentations:
Summaries and critiques
Research development project
Research topic/question
Topic analysis
Research protocol/proposal
10%
10%
5%
5%
5%
Literature analysis project
Final exam
Total
Final paper 15%
25%
25%
_________
100%
The instructor reserves the right to adjust the final grade based on individual effort (or lack thereof).
2

Tentative Schedule: The following schedule provides a general guideline only. Given the small class size, we will be informal at times, and are likely to make changes along the way. I fully expect to get into discussions of many related areas.
Week
1 August 21
2 August 28
3 September 4
Topic
Ph.D. orientation, Introduction, What is
MIS, Introduction to research
Key IS Issues, Role of IT, Frameworks
Research process, Methodologies, literature review project, research topics assignment
Readings & Assignments
Chapters 1-2 of Davis, Parker & Straub
(1), Van Slyke (2)
Carr (3), Kappelman, et al. (4), Ackoff
(5), Gorry (6)
Mason-Mitroff (7), Nolan-Wetherbe (8),
Ives at al. (9), Palvia et al. (21)
4 September 11 Research domains and topics
5 September 18 Rigor and relevance
Literature review project
Topic Analysis
6 September 25 Conducting research, writing papers,
Research approaches and models
7 October 2
Catch up
Literature review and meta analysis
D’Aubeterre (10), Palvia et al. (11),
Parameswaran (12), Berthon at al. (13)
Research Topics due
Rosemann (14), Straub (15), Huber (16),
Palvia-Basu (17), Chapter 8 Davis et al.
– pages 89 to 96. One article due.
Dennis (18), Day (19), Orlikowski (20),
Palvia et al. (22)
8
9
October 9
October 16
The survey method
Research proposal
Case research
Catch up
Delone & McLean (23 & 24), Kohli (25)
Topic analysis due
Kraemer (26), Pinsonneault (27), Straub
(28), Pinjani (29)
Benbasat (30), Lee (31), Ahmanligil (32)
Literature review project update,
Research proposal due
10
11
October 23
October 30
Experimental research
Research Protocol
Interpretive, qualitative research
12 November 6 Design science
13
14
November 13
November 20
Other research methods and key theories
Final presentations
Mason (33), Jarvenpaa (34), Tsai etl al.
(35),
Klein (36), Sarker elal. (37), Mingers
(38), Research Protocol due
Hevner (39), Peffers et al. (40)
Research project update
Myers (41), Venkatesh (42), Puhakainen
(43), other papers 44-48
Literature review project update
Research projects
Literature review project
15 November 27 No class – Thanksgiving holiday.
16 December 4 Final Exam Final Exam, research papers & literature review paper due.
3