FIT4005 - IT research methods

Leader: Helana Scheepers, David Albrecht

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2007 (Day)
Clayton First semester 2007 (Day)
South Africa First semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

In their final year of study, students are given the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have gained, in the development of an information system for a real world client. Students work in groups and will:
design, develop and deliver an information system for a client, manage the project through all its development stages, communicate effectively with all project stakeholders, primarily via studios and meetings, develop project documentation to a professional standard, present their project work to academics and other groups, attend unit seminars, contribute in a professional and committed manner to the work of the group

Objectives

After completing this unit, students should have knowledge and understanding of:

1. Basic research concepts, major philosophical foundations (theory, framework, paradigm, scientific method and methodologies in general)
2. Research methods and techniques relevant to IT research.
3. Key issues in IT research.
4. Methods of argument analysis.
5. How to design research.
6. How to evaluate research and peer review procedures.
7. The process of reviewing research literature on a specific topic.
8. Ethical research practices.

After completing this unit, students should have developed attitudes of:

1. Confidence in themselves as informed consumers of published research, able to critically evaluate the relative quality and merits of reported research findings.
2. Confidence in their ability to undertake independent research and to complete a thesis.
3. Awareness of the ethical issues that arise in the design and implementation of research.

After completing this unit, students should have the skills to:

1. Matching research tools and methods with research needs.
2. Write effective research papers.
3. Evaluate research ideas and designs.
4. Collect and analyse relevant data.

Assessment

Assignments: literature review, assignment relevant to topic, and class exercises.

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

An approved undergraduate degree in business information systems (BIS), or computer science (CS) or information technology and systems (ITS), or equivalent.

Prohibitions

ITW4001, IMS5036, IMS4036, BUS5000, CSE4910, GCO4010, CSE4650