Course Prefix/Number: CIS 9300

Course Title:  Quantitative Research Methods in Information Systems

Prerequisite: None

Catalog Description:

This course helps develop knowledge and skills in the application and use of quantitative research techniques. The course provides a survey of the methodological literature on quantitative research methods paired with appropriate article-length exemplars in the IS domain. This course will cover a variety of different research strategies including: case study, qualitative data collection and analysis techniques, ethnography, ethnography and meta-ethnography/meta-interpretation. In addition, studetns will also acquire skills in developing a research approach, understanding and using a grounded theory approach, and triangulation methods for strenghtening research findings, and supporting methodological choices.

Course Description

This course develops skills in designing, evaluating, and understanding qualitative research methods as they relate to IS. Students will learn data collection and data analysis techniques for qualitative methods. Data collection techniques will include observation techniques, interview techniques and document analysis. Methodologies studied will be ethnography, meta-ethnography, content analysis, protocal analysis and case study. Following on to this we will explore the area of theory building and qualitative data analysis techniques. In addition, emphasis will be placed on the tradeoffs of different research methods and how to integrate these to strenghten research foundations. The class will discuss the essential elements of each of the above research methodologies, and then examine in detail research articles that exemplify those methodogies.

Learning Objectives: