Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
Critical analysis of current research in information systems. Review of principle perspectives in the current IS literature. Development of analytical capabilities in regard to modern IS research.
The information systems discipline spans a wide variety of topics that focus on the sociotechnical nature of information and communications technologies (ICT) within society, private and public companies, and not-for-profit organisations. Maximising the potential of ICT investment has and will continue to be a key issue for all modern organisations as they strive to operate more effectively and efficiently. The importance of ICT in the global marketspace makes high-quality information systems research imperative to society's understanding of the nature of ICT and the ways that ICT impacts markets, industries, supply chains, organisations, groups, and individuals (customers, employees, managers, leaders, etc.).
This course develops some of the knowledge and skills you need to be able to evaluate research that is conducted within the information systems discipline. It will also lay a foundation for you to be able to design and undertake research as a basis for your honours, masters, or PhD thesis.
Course requirements
Assumed background
The course assumes you have a background and/or interest in business and information systems and that you have an interest in undertaking and/or understanding research in information systems.ﾠ
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
2 units of BISM/MGTS course + permission from Head of School
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
INFS6211
Restrictions
BAdvBus(Hons)/BCom(Hons)/BAdvFinEcon(Hons)/BInfTech(Hons)/GCBusRMeth/GDipBRM/MCom/PhD/MPhil. BAdvBus(Hons) students must email bel@uq.edu.au for permission to enrol. Quota: min 10 enrolments.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Dongming Xu
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name
- Student ID
- Course Code
Aims and outcomes
The course will introduce you to research in Information Systems. The Information Systems discipline lies at the intersection of two of the most exciting and dynamic fields today: Business and Information Technology. The aim of the discipline is to understand, predict, and support the effective design, use, and management of information technology in organizations, markets, and society more broadly. This involves breaking new ground in emerging topics (the latest technologies) and enduring topics (how best to design, implement, and use information technology). More specifically, the course will develop your capabilities to undertake research in the information systems discipline. You will learn various research methods and study published research papers in which these research methods have been used. You will learn to evaluate how well the research methods have been used in published research papers. You will also develop an understanding of some of the exciting, leading-edge research in the information systems discipline. This understanding may enable you to identify research topics that you would like to pursue, perhaps in an honours, masters, or PhD thesis. The course will help you gain the following knowledge and skills:
- Content knowledge:ﾠ knowledge of concepts, theories, and research methods that can be used to study phenomena in the information systems discipline.
- Analytical proficiency:ﾠ ability to apply content knowledge in well-structured, clear, and compelling ways to understand and evaluate existing or proposed research in the information systems discipline.
- Dialectical proficiency:ﾠ ability to apply critical reasoning to evaluate existing or proposed research in the information systems discipline.
- Written proficiency:ﾠ ability to prepare well-structured research reviews and proposals that conform to good grammar and style.
- Oral proficiency:ﾠ ab
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Describe some major, enduring research topics in the information systems discipline.
LO2.
Develop a suitable research question based on theoretical and methodological considerations learned in the course.
LO3.
Undertake research in the information systems discipline.
LO4.
Communicate the importance of any research question you address in a clear and compelling way.
LO5.
Evaluate research papers in the information systems discipline.
LO6.
Understand and apply the fundamental ethical principles that should underpin the conduct of information systems research.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation |
Contribution to and Leadership of Paper Discussion
|
15% |
Week 3 12/03/2025 3:00 pm Week 5 26/03/2025 3:00 pm Week 7 9/04/2025 3:00 pm Week 9 30/04/2025 3:00 pm Week 11 14/05/2025 3:00 pm Week 13 28/05/2025 3:00 pm
Your evaluation reports must be upload to the course Blackboard Discussion Board prior to discussing the paper in class. |
| Essay/ Critique | Paper Critique | 35% |
16/04/2025 3:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
50% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
Contribution to and Leadership of Paper Discussion
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
Week 3 12/03/2025 3:00 pm
Week 5 26/03/2025 3:00 pm
Week 7 9/04/2025 3:00 pm
Week 9 30/04/2025 3:00 pm
Week 11 14/05/2025 3:00 pm
Week 13 28/05/2025 3:00 pm
Your evaluation reports must be upload to the course Blackboard Discussion Board prior to discussing the paper in class.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
You are expected to actively (1) participate in and from time to time lead the class discussion, and (2) attend the discipline research seminars.
1. Class Discussion: 10%
Select two weeks from Weeks of 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13, to write a one-two page evaluation of the papers assigned for the week, and to lead the paper discussion based on your evaluation in the class.
Your evaluation reports must be uploaded to the course BB Discussion Board prior to discussing the paper in class. Please note that leading a discussion does not involve you speaking the whole time. Rather, you are to engage the class in a critical appraisal of the paper based on the major issues you saw in it.
2. BIS Discipline Seminar Participation: 5%
You need to attend the BIS research seminars during the semester and participate actively in the discussions. The seminar information will be announced during the semester. An active participation is encouraged.
AI Statement:
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Before the class discussion, you will need to post your two page evaluation to the "Discussion Board" on the Blackboard web site for BISM6211.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Paper Critique
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
16/04/2025 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
You are required to evaluate the quality of a paper published in one of the information systems journals or conferences or presented in the BIS seminar series.
Based on the readings you have undertaken in the first part of the semester; you should point out the strengths and weaknesses of the paper.
You should also point out ways in which the quality of the research undertaken in the paper could have been improved.
You must complete this assignment independently.
AI Statement:
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically to the "Paper Critique" Turnitin link in the "Assessment" section of the course Blackboard web site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
The final assessment will be an invigilated, in-person exam where students will be asked to develop and justify a 'best practices' response using methods and techniques introduced in the course. The examination requires students to familiarise themselves with a pre-supplied paper that will be made available seven (7) days before the exam and answer a number of questions relating to this paper. Students will be given more information about the examination questions towards the end of the semester.
AI Statement:
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | One A4 sheet of handwritten or typed notes, double sided, is permitted Pre-assigned Paper |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Seminar |
Choosing a Research Problem; Research Ethics Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L06 |
Week 2 |
Seminar |
Theory Building I Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
Week 3 |
Case-based learning |
Theory Building II Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Week 4 |
Seminar |
Experiments I Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
Week 5 |
Case-based learning |
Experiments II Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Week 6 |
Seminar |
Construct Validity and Reliability I Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
Week 7 |
Case-based learning |
Construct Validity and Reliability II Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Week 8 |
Seminar |
Case Studies I . Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
Mid-sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break |
Week 9 |
Case-based learning |
Case Studies II Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Week 10 |
Seminar |
Design Science I Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
Week 11 |
Case-based learning |
Design Science II Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Week 12 |
Seminar |
Action Research I Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
Week 13 |
Case-based learning |
Action Research II Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.