INFOSYS 720 : Information Systems Research

Business and Economics

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A substantive review of research in the discipline of information systems with a focus on behavioural and design science aspects. Behavioural, strategic and social issues relating to the design, implementation, use and impact of information technology applications will be studied.

Course Overview

This course focuses on information systems (IS) research and the nature of the discipline. A substantive review of research in the discipline of information systems with a focus on behavioural and design science aspects. Behavioural, strategic and social issues relating to the design, implementation, use and impact of information technology applications will be studied.

Since this course is taught at the postgraduate level, it is organised in a multi-modal fashion with both lectures and seminars. This approach assumes that the lecturers and students can work together in a collaborative fashion. The role of the lecturers in this environment is to establish a framework and put together a set of materials for discussion, and to create the conditions suitable for learning. The underlying assumption is that we are all co-producers in learning.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 15 points from INFOSYS 700-757

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Commerce

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Apply a broad range of information systems theories to analyse and complete research in both oral and written formats (Capability 3, 4, 5, 6.1 and 6.2)
  2. Apply knowledge and understanding of information systems research to produce a literature review on an IS research topic (Capability 3, 4, 6.2 and 8)
  3. Evaluate and critique IS research articles published in some of the leading academic journals and conference proceedings (Capability 3, 4, 6.1 and 6.2)
  4. Employ critical and design thinking to analyse, synthesise, design, and implement information systems (Capability 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.1 and 6.2)
  5. Present academic verbal and written arguments in the information systems discipline, including responsible citizenship, sustainability, equity and inclusion (Capability 3, 4, 5, 6.1 and 6.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Paper Summaries 10% Individual Coursework
Class Participation 10% Individual Coursework
Assignment 1 40% Individual Coursework
Assignment 2 40% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Paper Summaries
Class Participation
Assignment 1
Assignment 2

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard [15] point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect [3] hours of lectures, 7 hours of reading and  work on assignments.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at lectures to receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be not available as recordings as the course is organized as a seminar, and not as a series of lectures.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled during the standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

There is no textbook as such for this course, because all the readings are articles from journals. However, students are expected to read more widely including additional articles from any recognised journal. Many useful citations can also be obtained from the AIS Digital Library, the ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, Google Scholar and other bibliographic databases such as ABI/Inform, Science Direct or the Emerald Library. Most of these libraries and databases are available online from the University of Auckland Library. You should be familiar with accessing these digital resources.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

As student feedback has been very positive in recent years, only minor adjustments will be made for the forthcoming year.  The changes are mostly to encourage good student participation.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.