Tarleton State University System Center-Central Texas

CIS 598.120 Fall 2008

Research Methods in Information Systems

I. INTRODUCTION

This course examines timely topics related to computer based systems. The course develops research skills, problem-solving skills, applies the scientific method, refines presentation skills, and promotes team involvement.

The course operates in a distributed team environment using the Internet as its communication vehicle.

II. GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES FOR THE STUDENT

Upon completion of the course, the student should have an understanding of manuscript preparation and handling rights and permissions; the importance of style and proper citation; the overall process of printing, binding, and how it relates to the manuscript submission.

III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

University of Chicago Press, The Chicago Manual of Style 15Ed. Chicago IL, The University of Chicago Press, 2003 (9780226104034)
Pfeiffer, W. S. Technical Communication A Practical Approach 6Ed. Prentice-Hall, 2006 (9780131198166)
Required Materials: A minimum of three CD/DVD.

One will be used for work submission. The other two are for backup, and for continuing your work while the previous material is being graded.

You will need a Tarleton Email account. If you have not applied for one yet, do so today. Assignments and communications that do not use the Tarleton EMAIL will be rejected.

Students preferring to use their own computers are required to have products, data encodings, and file names equal to those provided in the computer lab for the Windows XP environment and the same Office 2007 suite used in class.
References: Current publications - The campus library contains numerous books and periodicals relating to Computer Science. The student is urged to take advantage of this resource by visiting the library.

IV. GENERAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS

a. ATTENDANCE POLICY: Class attendance is required. The policy as officially stated by the University will be enforced. Attendance will be taken because certain parties who are lending money or paying part of tuition call me and want to know if you are attending class. You are responsible for any material missed during an absence. In all cases, the responsibility remains with you to meet/obtain all course requirements/changes. If you are not present the class period your presentation is scheduled, the presentation grade is zero.

b. Reading Assignments - All assigned chapters will be used as basis for class discussion.

c. Class participation - All students will be required to participate in class, do board work and/or present using the DataShow machine.

d. Examinations - Material for examinations will be taken from the text, projects, help files, and current publications. Two or three examinations will be given during the semester. Makeup exams will be given ONLY when arrangements have been made PRIOR to the class meeting.

e. Homework - Homework is assigned at each class meeting and is due AT THE BEGINNING of the next class period. Homework grading will be selected on a random basis.

f. Assignment Submissions: Students will collect all required files into a single ZIP-archive. The name of the archive will be the students logon ID, the course ID, followed by the identifier for the assignment (eg. st_name_CIS502110_VB_1_5, st_name_CIS502110_PLAD34_6). The submission will be provided as an attachment to an email to the instructor. The subject for the email is the name of the archive. Submissions failing to provide proper identification and naming will be rejected.

g. Scholastic Honesty - All students are expected to maintain the highest standards of scholastic honesty in the preparation of all course work and during examinations. Violations will be handled according to university policy.

h. Students will be organized into teams for team projects. The teams will select a leader, and the team will have meetings outside class time.

For all your homework assignments and examinations, write only on one side of the paper, and clearly write your name on the top right of each page. Furthermore number your pages "Page N of M", where N is the page number starting at 1, and M is the total number of pages. Carefully identify all your answers.

V. GRADE COMPUTATION

Exams 35%

Project 15%

Papers/Essays 30%

Peer Evaluation 10%

Presentation 10%

VI. INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name: L. Larson

Email: larson@tarleton.edu

Classroom: 149

Meetings: 800-1245 S

Office Hours: `14:00-16:30 M-T

Office Phone: 254-519-5440

VII. MAKEUP EXAMINATIONS / LATE ASSIGNMENTS

Makeup exams will only be given when arrangements have been made with the instructor PRIOR to the class meeting.

Assignments are due AT THE BEGINNING of the class, and loose 5% per calendar day thereafter.

VIII. SYLLABUS / COURSE PLAN CHANGES

The items of this syllabus are subject to change. The changes will be announced in class and will be distributed in an updated syllabus.

IX. Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you have or believe you have a disability, you may wish to self-identify. You can do so by providing documentation to the office of the Academic Dean of the Tarleton University System Center Central Texas or to the Disability Services Director on the Stephenville campus. I encourage students with disabilities to speak with me about accommodations they might need to help assure success in this class, or contact one of the following:

See Ms. Trina Geye
Assistant Dean of Students
Tarleton Center-Central Texas
1901 S. Clear Creek Road
Killeen, Texas 76549
(254) 519-5459

Ms. Trina Geye

ADA Office
Executive Director
Box T-0010
Stephenville, TX 76402
254-968-9480

X. COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS:

CIS598.120	800-1245	RM149
Day	Date	CMS	Tech	Assignment
S	9/6/2008	1.2,3,4	1,2,3,4	Tech_4_8
S	9/20/2008	5,6,7,8	5,6,7,8	Tech_8_4
S	10/4/2008	15,16,17,A&B	9,10,11,12	Tech_11_6
S	11/8/2008		13,14,15,16	Tech_14_9, TECH_15_1
S	12/6/2008	Project,Final	Project, Final	Project, Final