1. IE 594: Research Methods in Engineering Information Systems Engineering (ISE) Research Methods May 11, 2009

2. Agenda Introduction to ISEIntroduction to ISE ISE Clustered Research AreasISE Clustered Research Areas Research Trends in ISEResearch Trends in ISE ISE Research in MIMEISE Research in MIME Discussion of articlesDiscussion of articles Q & AQ & A

3. Introduction to ISE Information Systems Engineering (ISE)Information Systems Engineering (ISE) –Important and growing area within the IE profession Fairly large and diverse divisionFairly large and diverse division –Both manufacturing and service industries –Both academia and industry –Job descriptions include consulting, management, engineering, etc.

4. ISE Clustered Research Areas

6. Research Trends in ISE What constitutes appropriate research in the field of ISE?What constitutes appropriate research in the field of ISE? –First, consider the nature of information systems themselves –Then look at what you hope to gain from undertaking research in the area Traditionally, the topic has often been viewed as residing within the realm of technologyTraditionally, the topic has often been viewed as residing within the realm of technology

7. Research Trends in ISE (cont’d) Increasingly, however, the focus of study has extended to include behavioral and organizational considerationsIncreasingly, however, the focus of study has extended to include behavioral and organizational considerations This is explained by our wish to:This is explained by our wish to: –Improve the effectiveness of IS implementations in organizations, and –Assess that impact on individuals or organizations

8. Research Trends in ISE (cont’d) This wider view of ISE research brings with it:This wider view of ISE research brings with it: –Added complexity –Greater imprecision –The possibility of different interpretations of the same phenomena, and –The need to take these issues into account when considering an appropriate research approach

9. Research Trends in ISE (cont’d) Galliers, R.D., Land, F.F. (1987). Choosing Appropriate Information Systems Research Methodologies, Communications of the ACM, 30(11), pp. 900-902.

10. ISE Research in MIME

11. Focus is on technologyFocus is on technology –Analysis of the effect on a system as a result of the implementation of a specific automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technology –Performance characterization of an AIDC technology under certain environmental conditions –Optimization of system performance enabled by an AIDC technology Technologies change with timeTechnologies change with time –Bar codes –Wireless data collection Radio Frequency Data Communications (e.g., 802.11)Radio Frequency Data Communications (e.g., 802.11) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) –What’s next?

12. ISE Research in MIME (cont’d) Galliers, R.D., Land, F.F. (1987). Choosing Appropriate Information Systems Research Methodologies, Communications of the ACM, 30(11), pp. 900-902.

13. ISE Research in MIME (cont’d) MethodsMethods –Design of Experiments –Mathematical or computational models –Global optimization heuristics e.g., Genetic algorithmse.g., Genetic algorithms

14. Discussion of Articles Artificial Neural Network Approach to Data Matrix Laser Direct Part MarkingArtificial Neural Network Approach to Data Matrix Laser Direct Part Marking Performance Evaluation of Heterogeneous Wireless Local Area NetworksPerformance Evaluation of Heterogeneous Wireless Local Area Networks Effect of Active Interference on the Performance of Radio Frequency Identification SystemsEffect of Active Interference on the Performance of Radio Frequency Identification Systems

15. QUESTIONS?