Assignments 📑

SIM & AIDA Information Systems Research (ISR)

Andy Weeger

Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences

August 29, 2024

Task

You will dig deeper in two key areas academic research (in IS) and document your learnings in two short papers and a presentation.

A important theoretical lens used in IS and your research design.

Deliverables

You need to deliver following parts via Moodle:

• Theory presentation
  Brief introduction of a theoretical lens to explore phenomena of interest (8 minutes),
• Theory paper
  Outline of the theory and use in IS (approx. 4 pages; details see template),
• Method paper
  Presentation and justification of your research design (approx. 4 pages; details see template),

For deadlines, please see the schedule

Grading

The deliverables are graded individually and determine the grade with the following weights:

• 40% theory presentation,
• 20% theory paper,
• 40% method paper and
• Bonus points¹

Note: Compliance with formal requirements (see templates) and good scientific practice are critical pass criteria for all parts, means that in case of non-compliance the exam is automatically failed (e.g., plagiarism, even light forms).

Theory presentation

An presentation that fulfills the expectations has the following characteristics:

• Student presents information in logical, interesting sequence which audience can follow.
• Student identifies all the main principles and clearly explains them.
• Students use concise examples to clearly illustrate the theory.
• Student demonstrates good knowledge by answering all questions with explanations and elaboration.
• Student raises interest and uses a clear voice so that all audience members can follow the presentation.
• Presentation is attractive, text is legible, graphics and effects are used throughout to enhance presentation.

Theory paper

An excellent paper has the following characteristics:

• The theory with it building blocks is described concisely.
• The origins of the theory, including its seminal papers work, are outlined.
• The paper demonstrates that the author fully understands and has applied the concepts learned in the course.
• The writing is clear and concise and shows a logical coherent flow.
• The paper identifies current examples in IS research to illustrate applications of the theory.
• Literature is cited sufficiently, correctly and consistently.

Method paper

An excellent paper has the following characteristics:

• The research problem its objectives are comprehensible.
• The theoretical lens of the research is presented briefly and concisely.
• All relevant aspects of the research design are identified and clearly explained.
• The justification of the methodological decisions is convincing.
• The research design allows for a valid and reliable contribution.
• Literature is cited sufficiently, correctly and consistently.

A note on grades

It is unlikely that every student will receive a very good grade, i.e. deliver an outstanding performance - see the meaning of grades. Instead, it is to be expected that the grades will spread across the spectrum.

Grade	Meaning
1 — very good	A truly outstanding achievement that (not only) shows no deficiencies in the criteria mentioned, but also gives both the supervisor and external assessors an excellent impression.
2 — good	Work that exceeds the average requirements/performance and is easily recognizable and presentable to the outside world as a “good performance”.
Note	2.5 is the average of passed assessments, i.e., an “average performance”
3 — satisfactory	A performance that achieves the desired goal “to a satisfactory extent”; however, deficiencies can be identified here and there.
4 — sufficient	A performance that “still adequately satisfies” the requirements, but deviates from the expectations placed on it in several ways.
5 — not sufficient	A performance that does not meet several of the criteria mentioned.

Q&A

Footnotes

1. The bonus points are assigned based on your engagement in the lectures. These can improve your performance by up to one grade increments (up to .7).