Description:

The lecture “IS Research Fundamentals” is designed to provide students with an opportunity to build the basic theoretical and methodological skills needed to conceptualize, conduct, and communicate their own research. To do so, the course will familiarize students with the essential research triad, namely topic, methods, and theories. While selecting an exciting topic is a fundamental anchor for the relevance of a research endeavor, a researcher’s ability to produce rigorous results depends on a sound command of the relevant theories and methods.

In this context, theories provide a solid basis by summarizing current knowledge and allowing for a precise investigation and definition of the topic’s underlying phenomena. Theories also provide students with a theoretical lens to investigate their topics from the perspective in which they are most interested. In addition, methods provide students with the ability to produce reliable results, thus allowing them to derive both meaningful and trustworthy conclusions. By applying appropriate theories and methods, students can therefore ensure that their results are not only interesting, but also scientifically valid.

Teaching Content

• The What, How and Why: Scientific Thinking, Research Process, Philosophy of Science
• Scientific Writing and Publishing: Paper structures, Publishing Process, Reviews (Exam)
• Research Design I - Topics: Domains of IS, Fundamentals, Basic Research Design
• Research Design II – Theories: Definition and Concepts, Building Blocks of Theories, Contributing to Theoretical Advancements
• Research Design III – Methods: Important IS Research Methods, Data Collection, Data Analysis