INTRODUCTION

This is a guided full research Ph.D. programme for those who intend to further their studies in the field of Information Systems. The main aim of the programme is to educate professionals and academic research scholars to perform high-quality IS research. They will be able to apply the Information Systems and Technology theories in analyzing and solving real organizational problems innovatively.

This programme is designed in such a way that students will be guided in developing technical and empirical research skills. The taught courses in the first year introduce the students to a broad knowledge of research paradigms, Information Systems theory, and current Information Systems research. Through the research methodology course, different research orientations and methods will be introduced.

PROGRAMME EDUCATION OBJECTIVES

• Graduates experts in conducting Information System (IS) research through the use of and apply IS theories and approaches for analyzing and solving real organizational problems.

• Graduates are able to demonstrate critical and creative ideas in order to expand and share their knowledge in the area of IS with other researchers, universities, and industries.

• Graduates are able to advocate IS knowledge through effective oral and written across a range of contexts and audiences.

• Graduates are able to demonstrate consistent professional ethics and high integrity.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Researcher in the Information Systems field, Academician, CIO/IT Manager, IS Professionals, ICT Consultant

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

All students are required to register one University General Course, three Research Methodology Courses and Research Codes (with no credits in every semester).  

Graduate Coursework: In the first year of study, students will enroll Research Methodology Courses to build their research foundation in IS, namely IS Research Methodology Fundamental, IS Research Methodology Practice, and IS Research Topic Seminar & Discourse. The grade is either PASS or FAIL. In addition, students need to choose ONE only from the list of University General Course.  Students must pass all these courses. The courses are graded through assignments, attendance, and participation.

Research Component: On entry into the programme, each student is allocated a supervisor or joint supervisors who are academic members of the “Graduate Faculty”. The appointment of the supervisor can be proposed by the student and approved by the Postgraduate committee. The supervisor bears the major responsibility for advising the student on the conduct and progress of his or her work, overseeing progress, and for providing support throughout the programme. Every student must register at the early of each semester with specified research codes. The student is also encouraged to fill in the Supervisory Progress Report in order for the supervisor to monitor his or her research status or current progress. The detailed responsibilities of the supervisor are given in detail in the Code of Practice for the Academic Welfare of Postgraduates. 

First Assessment: The student is required to write a report on his/her research progress and make a presentation to be assessed by the appointed internal examiners. The presentation will be scheduled on week 7 and 8 of the Semester 3.

SYNOPSIS OF CORE COURSES

Code: PBSM 1533 /  UBSP 6033

Course: IS Research Methodology Fundamental

Synopsis: The course covers three main research methodology fundamental components – paradigm in IS research, research methods and IS theories. IS research paradigm deal with the principal philosophy of science and epistemology. It concerns the status of knowledge claims and the forms by which valid knowledge claims can be made. Fundamental research methods are introduced in a conceptual manner. IS theories expose the socio-philosophical foundations of information and information systems. It introduces students to the key theoretical principles underlying information systems and applies them to practical issues of information systems.

Code: PBSM 1534 / UBSP 6043

Course: IS Research Methodology Practice

Synopsis: The course covers hands-on skills from three different perspectives of IS research methods – quantitative method, qualitative method, and mixed method. At the end of this course, it is expected that students will be well-versed and able to grasp the essence of what IS research methods are, how to proceed by identifying and employing research activities, how to measure progress, and integrating results with the research problems confronted.

Code: PBSM 1523 / UBSP 6053

Course: IS Research Topic Seminar & Discourse

Synopsis: The purpose of the course is to acquaint students with some of the research and literature in the Information Systems field. During the first part of the course, students will be introduced to a number of different topics in the literature. The student is then expected to choose a particular topic of interest and come to grips with the following key questions: What is the state of knowledge represented in the literature in this area? What are the strengths and limitations of the body of literature? What are the opportunities for research in this area? How does this area of research relate to other areas of research previously covered? Through this process, students will learn to read critically; pay careful attention to issues of research methodology as well as content; make clear, concise, and interesting research presentations; and develop their abilities to interpret and integrate different bodies of literature within the IS field. This course is intended to introduce the core IS research topics while academic discourse is intended to deepen understanding of a broader set of the IS literature.

UNIVERSITY GENERAL COURSES

UBSS 6013 - Organization Behaviour and Development

UBSS 6023 - Business Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability

UHMS 6013 - Seminar on Global Development, Economic and Social Issues

UHMZ 6023 - Malaysian Society and Culture

UHIS 6013 - Philosophy of Science and Civilization

UHPS 6013 - Dynamics of Leadership

UHLM 6013 - Malay Language for Post Graduates

URTS 6013 - Environmental Ethics

UECS 6013 - IT Project Management

UECS 6023 - Introduction to Technopreneurship

UMJJ 6013 - Basic Japanese Language & Culture

CLASS SCHEDULE FOR UNIVERSITY’S GENERAL COURSE 

https://sps.utm.my/universitys-general-courses/

https://sps.utm.my/academic-related-resources/

STUDY PLAN (start Semester 2 20222023)

STUDY PLAN (until Semester 1 20222023)