ITCC500 - Research Methods in Information Systems and Technology

After successfully completing this course, you will be able to

• Analyze selected research methods and tools
• Develop a coherent plan for IT research that includes: problem analysis, purpose, valid research questions, hypothesis construction, literature review, data collection, critical analysis, and research design methodology
• Identify primary and secondary sources to critically assess sources to recognize scholarly and academic material
• Apply accurate language mechanics and APA style guidelines to develop research reports and other academic papers
• Utilize graduate level critical thinking, reasoning, and writing to defend the logic and the conclusions in scholarly research

This course has a strong writing component. The goal is to organize, synthesize, and demonstrate your comprehension of core concepts investigated during this course by applying a combination of the terms, concepts, and details you have learned in a systematic way. As important as "the details" that you analyze and arrange in your writing, however, are the conclusions you draw from those details, and your predictions, responses to, and ultimate interpretation of those details.

Students are expected to maintain routine contact with the instructor throughout the course. While the number of contacts may vary according to the specific course and individual student need, the University requires periodic weekly contacts during the semester. Contact will consist of professor notes, forum interaction, and email feedback. The method of discussion will be on-line related to issues concerning forum assignments, quizzes, assignments, the midterm project and final project.

TEXTBOOK READINGS

Review the assigned textbook and support materials for this course! Review the table at the end of the syllabus to see assigned readings for each week.

ASSIGNMENTS

The projects for this course are located throughout each Lesson. The projects that are required for grading with this course are created from scratch.

FORUM

The Forum assignments for this course are designed to promote interactivity among students and enhance the online learning process. The Forum provides maximum flexibility because you do not have to be online at the same time as another person and you can read what other students have written.

Forum Timing: For the forum, you must post your work by midnight on Thursday, continue to follow your classmates' posts for the remainder of the week, and post the follow-up peer responses prior to midnight on Sunday, except for week one. Your follow-up posts can add additional insight to a classmate's opinions or can challenge their opinions. Use examples from the readings, or from your own research, to support your views, as appropriate. Be sure to read the follow-up posts to your own posts and reply to any questions or requests for clarification. You are encouraged to conduct research and use other sources to support your answers.

Required Participation: Please keep in mind that the forum assignments require you to make at least 1 post to the forum with at least 500 words about the topic and also respond to at least 2 peers’ posts with at least 200 words. Please be advised that there will be point deductions if you do not comply with these requirements of the assignment. Each one of you will have a different and unique experience that we can all learn from. Your participation in the Forums unleashes the power of synergy in our classroom. To facilitate this interaction, please be prompt when posting your forum work for each week; this provides time for the others to actively engage in the dialogue. For practical reasons, when you respond to other learners’ posts, please start your response by referencing their name. I will read and grade your participation by reading the forum. There is no need to also post your forum work in the assignments area of the classroom. Refer to the forum and the syllabus for more details on grading.