1. BIS 9213: MIS Research Seminar Professor Merrill Warkentin Mississippi State University Spring 2005

2. 2   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin Topics Discussed intro to course what is science? what is research? overview of topics planning for course questions?

3. 3   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin Science pursuit of knowledge  scientia = knowledge (Latin) - from scire (to know) description of natural & social phenomena? based on deductive and inductive logic  roles of theory and observation / analysis scientific method  empirical methodology presumes phenomena can be understood  ontology = realism (not nominalism)  epistemology = positivism (not subjective, interpretivist) formal, systematic, procedural, verifiable

4. 4   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin Research formal pursuit of knowledge starts with a “research question” based on solid theoretical foundations  what do we already know?  literature review should set up the hypotheses operationalize the research parameters  how will you treat, control, & measure variables? utilizes appropriate methodologies systematically  rigorous quantitative and qualitative techniques disseminate the results/conclusions  effectively “tell the story,” target the audience

5. 5   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin What is MIS? business tool, practitioner reality? community of researchers and educators? knowledge domain drawing from multiple perspectives (reference disciplines)  both social and natural sciences (duality)  CS, org sci, mgt sci, cog sci, beh sci, econ, etc. juxtaposition of tech, individual, org, society are we dispassionate observers or active participants? (discuss methodologies)

6. 6   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin Information Technology Impact individual – TAM model, etc.  personal productivity software team / workgroup – small group behavior  CMCS, groupware, collaboration software organization  knowledge management, econ, strategy, etc. society  online communities, education, privacy, etc.

7. 7   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin Research Projects phases of research life cycle keys to general success finding your own style / formula practical guidelines  tips, tricks, and traps

8. 8   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin Summary course format = discovery process = readings, discussion, & projects text + readings list to be provided later discussion = very important (communication) projects = individual and partnerships successful learning = involvement questions?

9. 9   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin Copyright Notice This document may not, in whole or part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, transmitted, or reduced to any electronic medium or machine readable form without explicit permission and written authorization from Dr. Merrill Warkentin. email: mwarkentin@acm.org on the web at www.MISProfessor.com