UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

COURSE INFORMATION

Confidential

CODE : IMC651
COURSE : Evaluation of Information Services
LEVEL : Degree
CREDIT UNIT : 3
CONTACT HOURS : 3
PART : 6

COURSE OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Describe the research process involved in conducting research in the field of

information management/studies (C2).
2. Identify problem statements and research questions within the context of a specific
area of study (C1).
3. Evaluate critically research literature relevant to the research area (C6).
4. Seek the rationale of using certain research method appropriate to the nature of a
study (A3).
5. Practice the skills in developing a written research proposal (P3).

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is an introductory guide to outline the concepts and processes involved in
conducting research. It provides a clear overview of how to undertake a research project in
the field of information management/studies and related disciplines. Students will be
introduced to a range of research approaches, strategies and methods which student could
adopt while conducting a research.

_________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________
Nama Fakulti : Fakulti Pengurusan Maklumat
Tahun mula: 2010

Tahun semakan: 2017

 Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA
SYLLABUS CONTENT

1.0 The nature of research in the field of information management/studies

1.1 Definition of research
1.2 Reasons for doing research
1.3 Application of research
1.4 Characteristics and requirement of research process
1.5 Types of research
1.6 Differences between approaches

2.0 The research process

2.1 The research process: an eight-step model
2.2 A: Deciding what to research
2.2.1 Step I: Formulating a research problem
2.3 B: Planning how to conduct the study
2.3.1 Step II: Conceptualizing a research design
2.3.2 Step III: Constructing an instrument for data collection
2.3.3 Step IV: Selecting a sample
2.3.4 Step V: Writing a research proposal
2.4 C: Conducting a research study
2.4.1 Step VI: Collecting data
2.4.2 Step VII: Processing and displaying data
2.4.3 Step VIII: Writing a research study

3.0 Formulating and clarifying research problem

3.1 The research problem
3.2 The importance of formulating a research problem
3.3 Sources of research problems
3.4 Considerations in selecting a research problem
3.5 Steps in formulating a research problem
3.6 The formulation of research objectives
3.7 The study population
3.8 Establishing operational definitions
3.9 Formulating a research problem in qualitative research

_________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________
Nama Fakulti : Fakulti Pengurusan Maklumat
Tahun mula: 2010

Tahun semakan: 2017

 Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA
4.0 Literature review
4.1 The place of the literature review in research
4.2 Difference between a literature review and a summary of the literature
4.3 How to review the literature
4.4 Writing about the literature reviewed

5.0 Identifying variables and constructing hypothesis

5.1 What is a variable?
5.2 The difference between a concept and a variable
5.3 Converting concepts into variables
5.4 Types of variable
5.5 Types of measurement scale
5.6 The definition of a hypothesis
5.7 The functions of a hypothesis
5.8 The testing of a hypothesis
5.9 The characteristics of a hypothesis
5.10 Types of hypothesis
5.11 Errors in testing a hypothesis
5.12 Hypothesis in qualitative research

6.0 Research design

6.1 What is a research design?
6.2 The functions of a research design
6.3 Differences between quantitative and qualitative study designs
6.4 Study design in quantitative research
6.5 Study design in qualitative research
6.6 Other commonly used

7.0 Constructing instrument for data collection

7.1 Differences in the methods of data collection in quantitative, qualitative and
mixed methods research
7.2 Major approaches to information gathering
7.3 Collecting data using primary sources
7.4 Methods of data collection in qualitative
7.5 Collecting data using secondary sources
_________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________
Nama Fakulti : Fakulti Pengurusan Maklumat
Tahun mula: 2010

Tahun semakan: 2017

 Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA
8.0 Collecting data and establishing validity and reliability
8.1 Measurement of attitudes in quantitative and qualitative research
8.2 Attitudinal scales in quantitative research
8.3 Functions of attitudinal scales
8.4 Difficulties in developing an attitudinal scales
8.5 Types of attitudinal scales
8.6 Attitudinal scales and measurement scales
8.7 Attitudes and qualitative research
8.8 The concept of validity
8.9 Types of validity in quantitative research
8.10 The concept of reliability
8.11 Factors affecting the reliability of a research instrument
8.12 Methods of determining the reliability of an instrument in quantitative research
8.13 Validity and reliability in qualitative research

9.0 Selecting sample

9.1 The differences between sampling in quantitative and qualitative research
9.2 Sampling in quantitative research
9.3 Sampling in qualitative research

10.0 Processing data

10.1 Data processing in quantitative studies
10.2 Data processing in qualitative studies
10.3 Data analysis in mixed methods studies
10.4 The role of statistics and computers in research

11.0 Ethics
11.1 Ethics: the concept
11.2 Stakeholders in research
11.3 Ethical issues to consider concerning research participants
11.4 Ethical issues to consider relating to the researcher
11.5 Ethical issues regarding the sponsoring organization
11.6 Ethical issues in collecting data from secondary sources

_________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________
Nama Fakulti : Fakulti Pengurusan Maklumat
Tahun mula: 2010

Tahun semakan: 2017

 Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA
TEACHING METHODOLOGY

a. Lectures
b. Discussion
c. Blended Learning

ASSESSMENT

a. Test : 40%
- 1st Test (10%)
- Final Test (30%)
b. Case study : 5%
c. Critical analysis : 15%
d. Research proposal and presentation : 40%
- Report (30%)
- Proposal defense presentation (10%)
TOTAL: 100%

RECOMMENDED TEXT

Kumar, R. (2014). Research methodology: a step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage:

London.

REFERENCES

Babbie, E. (1995). The practice of social research (7th ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth.

Benton, T. and Craib, I. (2001). Philosophy of social science: the philosophical foundations
of social thought. New York, Palgrave MacMillan.

Bryman, A. (1989). Research methods and organization studies. London, Routledge.

Burke, M. E. (2007). Making choices: research paradignms and information management.

Library Review 56 (6): 476-484.

Burn, R. (1998). Introduction to research methods. South Melbourne, VIC, Longman.

_________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________
Nama Fakulti : Fakulti Pengurusan Maklumat
Tahun mula: 2010

Tahun semakan: 2017

 Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA
Chappell, C. (2004). The nature of quantitative research. Available at http://www.gsu.edu/-
mstswh/courses/it7000/papers/the1.htm. Accessed: May 27, 2004.

Rotty, M. (1998). The foundations of social research: meaning and perspective in the
research process. Thousand Oaks, CA., Sage.

Pickard, A. J. (2007). Research methods in information. London, Facet.

Poweel, R. R. (1991). Basic methods for librarians (2nd ed.). Norwood: Ablex.

Sekaran, U. (2003). Research methods for business: a skill-building approach. New York:
John Wiley and Sons.

Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2003). Research methods for business studies.
England: Pearson Educations Limited.

Slater, M. (Ed.) (1990). Research methods in library and information studies. London: The
Library Association.

Zamalia Mahmud (2008). Handbook of research methodology: a simplifies version. Shah

Alam: UPENA (Universiti Teknologi MARA).

Lecturer

Name Phone Num. Email

Dr Norhayati Hussin 011-62638004 yatiphd@gmail.com

_________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________
Nama Fakulti : Fakulti Pengurusan Maklumat
Tahun mula: 2010

Tahun semakan: 2017

 Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA