Information Systems Research Methods

Catalog description

Information systems, composed of technology, people, information, systems, organizations, policies, and society, contain many complex and interdependent elements. The large-scale systems within which many information systems reside, including organizations, technology systems, communities, nations, and even human biological systems, can be similarly complex, with interdependent elements. Information systems researches study technology, people, information, organizations and systems in order to understand information systems, and the interactions between and the impacts of those elements and information systems, on individuals, groups, organizations, and other systems. Research design is the process of formulating a research plan that addresses research questions of interest. A sound research design ensures that the data and evidence obtained assists in effectively addressing the research questions under study. Key to good research design are research methods, approaches and techniques used to carry our research, which are facilitated by the collection of meaningful and useful data and evidence, and by analysis, assessment and interpretation of that data and evidence. This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of research design and research methods, including research question and hypothesis formulation; data and evidence collection and analysis; and the challenges of research design and methods. Students in this seminar course work closely with a Le Moyne factuly mentor while conducting research in Information Systems, either on campus at Le Moyne or in the field. McDevitt Information Systems Research Scholars who have gone through a year-long faculty research mentoring process in previous years and have prepared and published their own research also seve as mentors to students in this class. Students and their mentors participate in bi-monthly research seminars led by the Le Moyne faculty mentor, at which they present their research, collaborate on their findings and discuss their progress. Open to students eligible for Departmental Honors, Honors in Information Systems, and Independent Study Research. Junior or Senior standing; or permission of instructor. Prerequisite(s): MIS 201 .