This document summarizes the TDT39 Empirical Research Methodology course. It is intended for students interested in research in real-world settings and will teach methods for exploring how and why information systems are designed, implemented, and used. The main deliverable is a research plan for the student's master's thesis. The plan will include the research purpose, contributions, method, participants, and paradigm. Students will meet with the instructor to discuss their plan and present it for feedback. The instructor is available for questions but students should consult their thesis supervisor for project-specific questions.

1. TDT39
Empirical Research Methodology
Babak Farshchian
Adjunct associate professor, IDI, NTNU
Senior Scientist, SINTEF ICT
Name, title of the presentation

2. What is TDT39?
The course is for students who are
interested in research in 'real world'
settings. You will learn methods for
exploring how and why various
information/computer systems are
designed, implemented and used.
Two variants:
•IT3010 - Full course mandatory
for master of science (Spring
term)
•TDT39 - Select course for
master of techn. (Autumn)
•You cannot take both courses!

3. The thinking man
You
Other researchers
Your research
Practice
Rigor
Relevance

4. Figure 3.1 in: B. J. Oates, Researching Information Systems and Computing. London: Sage Publications, 2006.
The framework

5. The book
Briony J. Oates,
Researching Information Systems
and Computing.
London: Sage Publications, 2006.

6. An ex-student
of the course

7. An ex-student
of the course

8. Course deliverable
• Your research plan for your master thesis.
– Version 1.0 ready by end of September.
• A template will be provided for the plan, along with some
example plans. See the web pages.
• The template is based on the book.
• Contents:
– Purpose: Why you want to do this research? What is the relevance?
– Contributions: What new knowledge will you produce?
– Research method: What research strategy/method will you use?
– Participants: Who do you need for your research? What resources do you
need?
– Research paradigm: Is this a positivitst, interpretivist,
or critical research project?
– Deliverable: What is the form of the final deliverable?

9. Meetings
• We will have 2-3 meetings (to be announced on the
web pages).
– First one approx. end of September to prepare version 1.0 of the
plan.
– Opportunity to discuss questions.
– Opportunity to present your research plan.

10. What I can do for you
• I can answer questions related to the book and to the
research plan.
• What I cannot do:
– I cannot answer questions related to your research project.
• Ask your supervisor.
– I cannot be available all the time.
• Prepare to wait for emails to be answred!

11. The role of your supervisor
• The deliverable from TDT39, the research plan, is
your plan for your thesis.
• Your supervisor needs to be involved.
• You need to agree with your supervisor about the
content of the plan.
• If you are not doing your master thesis this year
please let me know!

12. Course staff
• Teacher: Babak Farshchian
• Room: 106 IT building ITV
• Availability: Wednesdays, and on email
• See course web pages for more information:
http://www.idi.ntnu.no/emner/it3010/ (Shared
with course IT3010).