mis 650: prototype project paper1 mis 650: prototype project paper contents chapter by chapter

MIS 650: Prototype Project Paper 1

MIS 650: Prototype Project PaperContents Chapter by Chapter


The Prototype - I

• As an exercise, try writing the paper before you do any research at all, when your idea is fresh and ridiculous

• Later, revise the prototype as you settle on each successive parameter: hypotheses, methodology, data collection, results

• Only the last version will be “valid”


The Prototype - II

• Doing a prototype will help you focus on what you know and are passionate about while bringing into stark relief what the project is lacking

• You’ll get over the initial hump of writing• You can imagine the best possible

outcomes, which is what you are striving for.


Format of the Prototype-I

• Follow the suggested outline for first draft• For each section, write ONE paragraph.

Try to be as succinct as possible. This is an exercise in thinking for you

• Words are important. Make sure every word is clear, unambiguous, and useful.

• These paragraphs will be expanded in later drafts.


Writing ExercisesTen Papers Preparatoryto a Thesis Prototype Paper Concepts Paper Issues Paper(s) Chapter 1 Annotated

Bibliography Lit SurveyChapter 2

Methodological Issues Paper

New Methodology

(-ies)Chapter 3


Writing Exercises - Ch. 1

1. Write the entire prototype project paper (PP)2. Produce a concept paper (CP) based on your

ideas; this will grow into Chapter 13. The CP can spur a number of other papers

relating to practical and theoretical issues involved in your research

4. Case studies highlighting practical issues are also probable.


Writing Exercises - Ch. 2

1. Create an annotated bibliography, including even articles you haven’t read yet (AB)

2. There are specialised annotated bibliographies, but modern web-based retrieval has made these less publishable

3. AB grows into a Lit Survey (LS)

4. The LS grows into Chapter 2


Writing Exercises - Ch. 31. Write a paper on methodological issues (MI) in

the area you are researching. These can be related to approaches, data collection procedures, data handling, ethical problems, etc.

2. A series of papers on “new” methods (NM) that you are developing is important, esp. as you develop your instrumentation

3. NM and MI eventually grow into Chapter 3.

MIS 650: Prototype Project Paper 9METHODHYPOTHESESTHEORY/CONCEPTS

Writing Process

Prototype paper

AnnotatedBibliography

Methodological

Issues PaperConcept Paper

Issues

Paper

Chapter

One

Lit

Survey

Chapter

Two

New Methods

Paper

Chapter

Three


Format of the Prototype-II

• Don’t worry about “truth” at this point for chapters 4-6. You will speculate on these chapters. Later you will substitute the truth.

• Chapter 2 is normally a separate exercise and is not included in the prototyping. You may, however, list in point form any literature you know of that interests you at this time.


Chapters

Chapter 1: Theory - Why, your ideasChapter 2: Lit Survey - Which, when, others’

ideasChapter 3: Methodology - How, where to doChapter 4: Data Collection - What you foundChapter 5: Analysis - Whether your ideas are

validChapter 6: Conclusions - So what


Chapter 1: Theory

Chapter Outline 1.1 Context, History 1.2 Your Research TOPIC 1.3 Contending Theories (if any) 1.4 Necessity for Research 1.5 Value of Research 1.6 The Research Hypotheses 1.7 Overview of Rest of Paper


1.1 Context/History WHEN: The history of the research area: What has happened in the real world? What has happened in the world of ideas? WHERE: Context WHO is interested? WHY? WHAT are the stakes and stakeholders HOW: Method Why is this new approach called for?


1.2 Your Research Topic

State your research topic as succinctlysuccinctly but as vividlyvividly as possible:

“The role that culture plays in the perceptions of participants in electronic, computer-supported meetings (EMS)”

Note action-oriented kernal: “…plays…”

Note focus/locus “culture”, “EMS”

In IS, there must be a technology locus


1.3 Contending Theories

What is the general state of theory in this area?

What are the major theories or approaches in this area?

Do they conflict? If so, how? What is the basis of the conflict (explanation, case range, eg.)?

Do they reinforce? If so, why is that bad? What evidence is there that the “received wisdom” is false?


1.4 Necessity for Research: Possible reasons

• Situation is instance of more general phenomenon regarding technology

• Commercial interest

• Potential for wasting lots of business resources

• People need help with technology

• Technology is going the wrong direction


1.5 Value of Research:Possible Criteria

Refers to previous sections on WHAT, WHO, WHY, and HOW

Demonstrates that research is worth doing Convinces that paper is worth reading


1.6 The Research Hypotheses

Are predictions from theory that can be tested. THEY MUST BE TESTABLE

Generally are phrased in “abstract” terms but can be related to real-world phenomena

If hypotheses are shown to be false, then the underlying theory must have something false in it

Often stated in the “null” or negative way These are usually repeated in Chapter 2, 3, and 6


1.7 Overview of Rest of Dissertation Mention each chapter Highlight main point of each chapter If not as expected (I.e., this outline), explain

why you must deviate from expected Point out any unusual things the reader must

watch out for Acknowledgements can be put here or in

separate section at front of paper


Chapter 2: Literature Review Chapter Outline 2.1 Research Framework: Where this research

question lies 2.2 Major Components of the topic of interest 2.3 Review of PERTINENT literature 2.4 Summary of what is KNOWN and what is

NOT KNOWN 2.5 Research hypotheses


2.1 Research Framework

Helps reader structure thinking into categories.

Best thought of as a table listing ... The phenomena of interest What influences those phenomena What the phenomena produce How to observe the phenomena How to observe their causes


2.2 Components

Divide the world of ideas as you see fit, eg: By type of user By type of technology By SDLC phase By part of process (generation of

above) By theoretical approach or theory


2.3 Review of Literature

Introduce the threads (see 2.2) Show how threads form a whole

• Discuss each thread in turn

Originator, historical timing Breadth of ideas, depth of research Discuss “Split ends”, isolated ideas

Bring threads together


2.4 Summary 2.5 HypothesesSummarize state of theoryShow how your theory Fills in holes in theory Explains contradictions Asks better questions Is more compact, fewer independent or

intervening variables Explains things of more current interest


Chapter 3: Methodology Chapter Outline 3.1 Methodological Issues (Usually Validity

and Reliability, sometimes Ethics) 3.2 Sampling Methods 3.3 Data Collection Techniques 3.4 Data Integrity Issues 3.5 Analysis “Look-ahead”


3.1 Methdological Issues

• State of Theory about methodology in your area; What’s good, what’s new

• Generalizability, possibility of• Role of Data in your research• Formal or informal index of “goodness” of

your methodology• Your approach (positivistic, interpretivistic,

critical) with justification.


3.2 Sampling

Discuss how sample*was obtained What was used as the sampling frame?

Why? Were there any problems with

representativeness? Were there any potential ethical problems?

* Or samples. Where a non-positivistic approach is justified, you must discuss theoretical sampling, case selection as appropriate


3.3 Data Collection Techniques

What were the possible choices for data collection technique?

Why did you choose method you did? Describe the method in detail Was there a role for observers, coders,

interpretation? Show how you handled problems with the

technique you selected.


3.4 Data Integrity Issues

How data will be recorded Potential problems with recording How data will be maintained Potential problems with maintenance How data will be stored, accessed Potential problems with storage, access Are data confidential?


Chapter 4: Data Chapter Outline 4.1 Actual Data Collection Experience 4.2 General Description of Research

Sample 4.3 Coding, Description of Data Quality 4.4 GROSS tables, breakdowns, descript’n 4.5 Data formats, availability, etc. 4.6 Research Management


4.1 Actual Data Collection

The actual procedure you used Actual number of events or subjects, with

descriptions Problems encountered at any phase or stage

of data collection Time and effort it took to administer

instruments


4.2 General Description of Research Sample• Thick vs. thin description

Lots of detail vs. summary information

• Value of description of sample and context

Need to describe contextual details

Sample

Context


4.3 Coding and Data Quality Quality of respondents Quality of collection method Quality of recording Coding Time value (obsolete?)…value of old data


4.4 Presentation of Data

• Tradeoff is precision and volume vs. understanding

• Choices are tables, text, images/graphs• Tables are good more moderate amounts of

data• Images and graphs can summarize, show

trends• Text is necessary if events are idiosyncratic


4.5 Data Formats, Availability• Data should be available for researchers to

use and auditors to check on without identifiers (where possible)

• Formats might be ….– ASCII, delimited– Excel or Lotus spreadsheets– Database format– Flat files on tape


4.6 Research Management Volume of events, data Timing of research Staff Skills, esp. interviewing Data Integrity Ethics/Ownership Funding Cost Control


Chapter 5: Analysis and Results Chapter Outline 5.1 Analysis Methods 5.2 Support for Hypotheses

Positive: Evidence Negative: Evidence of Contrary Equivocal: No evidence for either

5.3 Summary


Chapter 6: Conclusions Chapter Outline 6.1 Review of Theory 6.2 Implications for THEORY? 6.3 Implications for PRACTITIONERS? 6.4 Implications for SOCIETY? 6.5 Implications for YOU? [Optional :-)]


6.1 Review of Theory

Brief Review of Chapters 1 and 2

Restatement of the major ideas of the theory

Restatement verbatim of research hypotheses

Brief review of research procedure

Brief review of results of data collection and analysis.


6.2 Implications for Theory Was theory supported?

– How did hypotheses fare?– Was this a strong test? If not, why not?

Were competing theories refuted?– Did data point out inconsistencies?– Was this a strong test? If not, why not?


6.3 Implications for PractitionersWhat do results mean in practical terms?What are the benefits of applying results?What are the risks of trying to apply

results?What is the next challenge?


6.4 Implications for Society What do your results mean for society (if

anything?) Are there ethical correlates? Does this point out work that society must

do (including the society of researchers)?


6.5 Implications for the Researcher What does this mean to your program of

research? What studies remain for you to carry out?

Is this a rich lode to mine?Is this the last word?Will this topic still love me, tomorrow?

mis 650: prototype project paper1 mis 650: prototype project paper contents chapter by chapter

Documents

prototype project paper1

prototype project paper2

prototype project paper3

chapter slide

new methods paper chapter

concepts paper

lit survey chapter

valid slide