Informatics, Information Systems Theories, Second Cycle, 7.5 credits

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course the students shall
1. Understand concepts of science and it's philosophical directions in information systems research.
2. Understand the role of theories in research.
3. Be able to theorize information systems and IT artefacts.
4. Reflect on the perspectives and the theories in Information systems research.

Content

The course is comprised of following four modules:

1. Overview of philosophy of science and major philosophical directions, with special reference to information systems research. In this module, students will be introduced to the basic concepts of philosophical science, its branches and the major philosophical assumptions, such as positivism, interpretivism, critical, pragmatism with examples from information systems research. (Addressing goal 1).

2. Exploration of the nature of theory, and types of theories in information systems research. (Addressing goal 2).

3. Introducing the characteristics of the information systems and IT artefacts and its applications in information systems research. Here, students will theorize information systems and IT artefacts and reflect on how they are understood during the design process. (Addressing goal 3).

4. Examining the relevance of perspectives and theories in information systems research. This also includes investigating merits and shortcomings of perspectives and theories. (Addressing goal 4).

Examinations and grades

Examination 1, 1 credits (Code: A001)
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Examination 2, 2 credits (Code: A002)
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Examination 3, 1 credits (Code: A003)
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Examination 4, 3.5 credits (Code: A004)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

In accordance with university regulations on grading systems for first and second-cycle courses and study programmes (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades is to be used: fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG). For courses included in an international master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the A to F grading scale is to be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by them, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds for doing so.

The grades used on this course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Comments on grades

For an approved final grade on the course, an approved result is required for all examinations. The letter grades A-E are weighted into a final grade based on the examinations of the entire course.

Modes of assessment

Examination 1, 1 credits (Code: A001)
Overview of philosophy of science and major philosophical directions. Individual, active participation in seminars, where students discuss/debate by taking the stance of different theoretical perspectives of the given research papers.

Examination 2, 2 credits (Code: A002)
Introduction to theory, types of theories in information systems research. Presentations by student groups.

Examination 3, 1 credits (Code: A003)
Introduction to information systems and IT artefacts and their applications in research. Presentations on the assigned papers by student groups.

Examination 4, 3.5 credits (Code: A004)
Written examination. Individual analysis of relevant articles.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other modes of assessment.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

Specific entry requirements

Informatics, Basic Course 30 Credits, 30 Credits at intermediate course level within Informatics and successful completion of at least 15 Credits at advanced course level within Informatics. Alternatively Business Administration, Basic Course, 30 Credits, Business Administration, Intermediate Course, 30 Credits and successful completion of at least 15 Credits at advanced course level within Business Administration. Alternatively 30 Credits within G1N in Computer Science and 45 Credits within G1F in Computer Science.
The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English B" or "English 6" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations.

Other provisions

The course is offered in English and therefore all examinations will be conducted in English.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Reading list and other learning resources

Required Reading

Braa, Kristin & Vidgen, Richard (1999)
Interpretation, intervention and reduction in the organizational laboratory: a framework for in-context information systems research
Information and Organization, 9(1): 25-47 [Article in periodical]

Dhillon, Gupreet & James Backhouse (2005)
Current directions in IS security research: towards socio-organizational perspectives
Information Systems Journal, Vol. 11, pp. 127-153. [Article in periodical]

Gregor, Shirley (2006)
The nature of theory in Information Systems
MIS Quarterly, Sep2006, 30(3), 611-642 [Article in periodical]

Hirschheim, Rudy & Klein, Heinz K. (1989)
Four Paradigms of Information Systems Development
Communications of the ACM, Vol. 32, Issue 10, pp. 1199-1216 [Article in periodical]

Lee, Allen, Thomas, Manoj & Baskerville, Richard (2015)
Going back to basics in design science: from the information technology artifact to the information systems artifact
Info Systems Journal. Vol 25, 5-21 [Article in periodical]

Mingers, John & Leslie P Willcocks (2005)
Social Theory and Philosophy of Information Systems
Wiley, ISBN/ISSN: 978-04-70-01121-8, 472 pages

Orlikowski , Wanda & Lacono, Suzanne (2001)
Research Commentary: Desperately Seeking the 'IT' in IT Research--A Call to Theorizing the IT Artifact
Information Systems Research, 2001, 12(2), 121- 135 [Article in periodical]

Sutton, Robert & Staw, Barrt (1995)
What Theory is Not
Administrative Science Quarterly, 1995, 40(3), 371-384 [Article in periodical]

Weick, Karl (1995)
What theory is not, theorizing is
Administrative Science Quarterly, 1995, 40(3), 385-390.5 [Article in periodical]

Additional Reading

Alter, Steven (2015)
The concept of 'IT artifact'has outlived its usefulness and should be retired now
Information Systems Journal 25.1 (2015): 47-60 [Article in periodical]

Iivari, Juhani (2016)
Information system artefact or information system application: that is the question
Information Systems Journal [Article in periodical]

Matook, Sabine & Susan A. Brown (2016)
Characteristics of IT artifacts: a systems thinking-based framework for delineating and theorizing IT artifacts
Information Systems Journal [Article in periodical]

Additions and Comments

The course teacher(s) will suggest additional research papers. Approximately 50 pages. Additional mandatory reading will also be added in relation to the lectures. Approximately 50 pages.