Introducing Information Systems Students to Research with a Structured Group Project

Abstract

This chapter reports on an approach to getting information systems research students started. The approach involves beginning research students undertaking a structured group research project in which the instructor is an active participant. The major purpose of this group project is to provide a gentle, supportive, structured introduction to information systems research. This approach benefits students by ensuring that they have participated in a complete research project before they have to assume complete responsibility for their first large individual project. The chapter discusses the use of this approach at an Australian university. In general, students have participated well, learning from their own experiences and the experiences of others in the group.