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ICT615 Information Technology Research Methods Exam Preparation

The document provides instructions and sample questions for an exam on research methods in information technology. It outlines the exam structure, topics covered, different types of questions, and provides multi-part questions as examples of longer exam questions.

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Sidq Ali
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419 views4 pages

ICT615 Information Technology Research Methods Exam Preparation

The document provides instructions and sample questions for an exam on research methods in information technology. It outlines the exam structure, topics covered, different types of questions, and provides multi-part questions as examples of longer exam questions.

Uploaded by

Sidq Ali
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ICT615 Information Technology Research Methods

Exam Preparation

EXAM INSTRUCTIONS

1. The exam will be of 2 hours duration


2. The exam consists of 12 questions. The marks for these questions vary, and will
be indicated beside each question.
3. The majority of the questions will be worth between 3 marks and 10 marks each,
but there will be one long question worth 25 marks. This will require you to outline
your design for a research study.
4. ALL of the questions are to be answered
5. Answer each question in the space provided. If you need more space continue
your answer on the back of the page.
6. The exam will be marked out of 100 and is worth 40% of your final mark

The following Topics will NOT be examined.


 Library session
 Conducting a literature review
 Presenting research orally
 Writing up research results

SAMPLE SHORT EXAM QUESTIONS

TOPIC 1 - Introduction
1. What is the difference between pure (or basic) research and applied research?

2. Describe the aims of exploratory research, descriptive research and explanatory research.

TOPIC 2 – Conducting a literature review


Will not be examined.

TOPIC 3 – Scientific thinking

1. Define each of the following terms:


a. Theory
b. Dependent variable
c. Construct

2. What is the difference between a research question and a hypothesis?

3. Why do scientists bother with the formulation of hypotheses? Discuss the research
process and the role of hypotheses within it.

1
TOPIC 4 - Developing a research proposal & survey research
1. What is the purpose of a research proposal?

2. What are some of the main reasons for producing a research proposal? Who are research
proposals of benefit to?

3. Describe each of the following types of samples that may be used in research studies:
a. Convenience
b. Random
c. Stratified

4. Define each of the following terms:


a. Population
b. Response rate

5. Describe the common means of communication used to collect data in survey research

TOPIC 5 – Experimental design

1. If you wish to establish causality in your research, what conditions are necessary?

2. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of experimental research.

3. Define each of the following terms with respect to experimental research:


 Treatment
 Dependent variable
 Independent variable
 Participant selection

TOPIC 6 – Data analysis


1. Describe the role of statistical significance testing in quantitative research.

2. i. What do inferential statistics allow us to evaluate and what advantages do these tests
offer over more subjective evaluation of results?
ii. Given these advantages why do many researchers choose to use qualitative research
methods?

2
TOPIC 7 – Design and creation research
1. Can system development be a research methodology? Discuss the role of system
development in IT research.

2. Describe the categories of IT products that might be designed and created as part of IT
research.

3. Explain the meaning of the term ‘proof of concept’ in the context of IT research.

TOPIC 8 – Case study research and action research


1. What are the main decisions that need to be made when designing case study
research?

2. Why is it important to use multiple data collection methods in case study research?

3. How do levels of researcher control of the research situation vary among the different
research approaches?

4. What is action research? Include a brief discussion of where its use is appropriate and
any problems with its use.

Multi-topic

1. Briefly describe each of the following research approaches. Ensure that your answer
also identifies the major differences between the two approaches.
 Case study research
 Action research

2. Describe, in general terms, the difference between internal and external validity.
Provide two examples of actions that researchers can take to improve the validity of
their research.

3
Sample Large Exam Questions

1. You are aware that use of the Internet by consumers is growing rapidly, but have been
unable to find concrete information on how successfully consumers are using it to
locate and acquire goods they need. Describe a survey study you might undertake to
investigate one aspect of this issue. Start your discussion at the beginning of the
research process with a research question and associated hypotheses and a description
a description of the main constructs. Then outline and explain the research design you
would use to answer your research questions. You need to describe your population,
sample, data generation method, sampling frame, sampling technique, form of
administration, type of question, analyses to be used.
(25 marks)

2. Applications such as Microsoft Access and Excel are becoming increasingly user
friendly with context-sensitive online help, templates, wizards and so on. You
wonder how much these different types of help are used, and how effective they are
for different types of users. Describe a survey study you might undertake to
investigate one aspect of this issue. Start your discussion at the beginning of the
research process with a research question and associated hypotheses and a description
a description of the main constructs. Then outline and explain the research design
you would use to answer your research questions. You need to describe your
population, sample, data generation method, sampling frame, sampling technique,
form of administration, type of question, analyses to be used.
(25 marks)

3. It has been said that information technology has enabled people to behave unethically
more easily and quickly. Describe a survey study you might undertake to investigate
one aspect of this issue. Start your discussion at the beginning of the research process
with a research question and associated hypotheses and a description a description of
the main constructs. Then outline and explain the research design you would use to
answer your research questions. You need to describe your population, sample, data
generation method, sampling frame, sampling technique, form of administration, type of
question, analyses to be used.
(25 marks)

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