IS520 RESEARCH METHODS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Course Code:9010520
METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week):3 (3.00 - 0.00)
ECTS Credit:8.0
Department:Information Systems
Language of Instruction:English
Level of Study:Graduate
Course Coordinator:
Offered Semester:Fall and Spring Semesters.

Course Objectives

This course aims to provide students with the necessary background and skills:

• To identify the major approaches to scientific research and related models for planning, analyzing, implementing and critiquing research.

• To understand the essential characteristics of basic research methods including quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods models and their applications to substantive research questions in IS.

• To provide the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct research and to apply these skills in the development of a search proposal that investigates a question of personal interest in the field of IS.


Course Content

This course provides students with an integrated framework for research in information systems. Course underlines main research paradigms including positivist, post-positivist, critical theory and constructivist paradigm. Theoretical and practical bases are provided for leading research models under the main themes as quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods and design based research. The course uses problem-based self-directed learning to enhance students methodological skills and to assist them in applying these skills to the research process.


Course Learning Outcomes

This course aims to provide students with the necessary background and skills: • To identify the major approaches to scientific research and related models for planning, analyzing, implementing and critiquing research. • To understand the essential characteristics of basic research methods including quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods models and their applications to substantive research questions in IS. • To provide the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct research and to apply these skills in the development of a search proposal that investigates a question of personal interest in the field of IS.


Program Outcomes Matrix

Level of Contribution
#Program Outcomes0123
1leads and manages information system application projects.
2has knowledge on analysis, design, implementation, and management of information systems; uses related principles, methods, and tools.
3has wide knowledge of the basic concepts and recent development on information systems and technology.
4has deep and wide knowledge on computing and information technology at a level to develop advanced applications.
5develops innovative solutions in the design of IT applications, processes, and systems.
6applies different quantitative and qualitative scientific research methods, has the ability to conduct scientific studies.
7performs experimental and applied research.
8identifies the problems and the underlying causes in their area of expertise, develops methods to solve them, evaluates the results in line with objectives.
9follows academic literature and recent development on information systems and technologies; performs critical analysis of the information.
10works effectively both independently and in multi-disciplinary teams as a team member or leader.
11pays attention to ethical values and applies them at her scientific studies.
12presents the recent developments in the field and their work, by supporting with qualitative and quantitative data effectively in written and spoken English and Turkish.

0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution