Information Systems Management
(Information Systems 157.700)
Assessment - Semester 2, 2010

Department of Management (Albany)
Massey University - Auckland

Note: This is a DRAFT assessment page that is as complete as possible as of this date, 29 January 2010. Keep checking back for updates. A complete and final assessment page is expected to be posted here and on WebCT no later than 9 July 2010.

Navigation quick links: 157.700 syllabus, 157.700 schedule, 157.700 assessment (this page)

Information Systems Management is assessed by two tests and two written assignments, as follows:

Assessment	Due date	Marks
ICT Frontier Topic Nomination	21 July	-0-
ICT Frontier Overview	11 August	10
Mid-semester test	18 August	30
ICT Frontier Report	6 October	30
End-of-semester test	13 October	30

Letter grades will be based on the class curve. At the end of the semester, students will be ranked according to their final mark. College guidelines and overall class performance will be used to determine the number of A's, B's, etc. that are awarded. This means each student competes with every other student in the class to determine final grades and 157.700 does not necessarily use the standard grading scheme. To pass the paper you must gain at least 50 percent of all marks.

Attendance at all class sessions is expected and is, implicitly, part of overall assessment. Generally, students (and the instructor) are allowed one absence from class during the 12-week semester. After that, additional absences can result in decrements in the final grade (e.g., from an A to an A-) through adjustments in marks on the final two assessments.

This page describes all assessment requirements in considerable detail. Further explanations and feedback about assignment requirements will be provided in lecture and on WebCT.

Inspiration for this assignment: Frontiers are interesting places. Historically, they were the buffer zone between civilisation and wilderness, between the law and lawlessness. Frontiers are where we erect borders to divide the old and the new, the trusted and the unknown. Frontiers can be frightening places for many, but exciting and liberating for those with an adventurous spirit. (Thanks to Steve Hodgkinson ("Interfacing with 'Wild West' IT" in CIO, March 2008, p. 14) for these words and this inspiration.)

The world of ICT is full of frontiers. New technologies, new ways of thinking, new interactions and new customers all create exciting and adventurous times, but also times of uncertainty, risk and sometimes even a sense of lawlessness.

Selecting a topic: Begin this assignment with some preliminary research to determine a new or emerging ICT topic that is of interest to you and has some applicability to business. A good place to start is to talk to the ICT staff or key users of technology in your company to see what is on their frontier. A second suggestion is to scan through some Web sites or publications about the use of innovative ICT in business (e.g., iStart, ComputerWorld, Gartner Hype Curve, Wired magazine, Technology Review). The topic must be able to be developed into a full research report (see assignment below), including a focus on what this means for business. Both Frontier Overview and Report assignments have a future orientation, so the content of the assignments should not be focussed on past developments and current status of a particular topic; if you can't find research about the future of the topic, it may not be an appropriate topic for these assignments. More information about selection of the topic will be offered in the first week of class.

A one-page nomination form available on WebCT must be submitted during the second week of class for the instructor's approval of the topic. While some duplication of topics will be allowed, diversity will also be important and some students may be asked to write about their second choice of topic (so investigate several topics in your initial research).

Assignment requirements: The ICT Frontier Overview assignment should be no more than 4 pages (11 or 12 point font; 2.5cm margins, 1.5 line spacing) not including references, graphics or appendices. The Overview will consist of the following parts:

• A title that succinctly describes the topic.
• An uplifting, interesting and compelling introduction. Inspire the reader that this is an important topic to research and read. If possible, identify who would benefit from your investigation of this topic and how.
• A description of the technology, application or subject. Key objectives to address in this section may include:
• Describe the technology, including a purposeful definition (what is it used for?).
• How does it work? Its components? Its features?
• If important, a brief history/evolution of the technology.
• What infrastructure is required for the technology? What complementary technologies are required?
• If necessary, differentiate this technology from similar and/or competing technologies.
• A References section that completely, accurately and consistently identifies the sources cited in the Overview.
• Statement of academic integrity: On the last page should be this statement: "I declare that this research study is entirely the product of my own work. When the ideas, quotations, data and diagrams of others have been used in the report, the work has been properly cited in the text. This assignment was prepared exclusively by me for this paper and has not been submitted as assessed work in any other academic paper." Additionally, include a signature line and, when the essay is submitted, please sign this.

Obviously an overview of any emerging information and communication technology can consume more than four pages, so a challenge for you is to write a comprehensive but concise overview no more than three pages.

To the greatest extent possible, both the Overview and Report assignments should include a substantial amount of academic literature (e.g., academic journals, chapters in edited research books (but not textbooks), conference papers), either in business or other areas (e.g., education, computer science). Research reports from respected firms such as Gartner Group, McKinsey, Nielsen Media and [Accurture] are also valuable resources. Resources from the professional business literature (e.g., white papers, trade magazines, reputable articles on the Web) are acceptable, but should be used rarely and only in context. Transitional or opinionated literature (e.g., Wikipedia, blogs, vendor literature) is of limited value and so you are allowed only one unauthored and/or undated resource from the Web (e.g., Wikipedia, about.com. geekzone). Identifying a number of academic articles at this stage will insure you have a solid base for the Frontier Report that follows.

Submission of the assignment: The Overview assignment is due at the start of lecture on 11 August. If you are unable to attend class on that day, you may submit it before 5pm in the assignment box outside the Department of Management office (QB2.04). Your assignment must include a cover page (available on WebCT or at the assignment box). Electronic submission of assignments is not allowed. Late assignments will be assessed three late marks for each 24-hour period the assignment is submitted after the due date (please submit late assignments directly to Dennis or have the cover sheet date stamped).

Assessment of the assignment: Approximately two-thirds of the assessment will be on what you say (e.g., appropriate topic, content complete but not overly verbose, evidence of academic research) and approximately one-third of the assessment will be on how you say it (e.g., grammar, format, idea flow).

Evaluation and improvement of the Report assignment: The course coordinator will mark the Overview assignment the week after it is due and return the assignment in the 18 August class. Then, as part of the Report assignment, you are expected to integrate the coordinator's comments into the Report assignment. For most students, this should be minimal work. However, a poor Overview assignment will not only generate a low mark, but will also mean increased time and effort needs to be applied in the Report assignment.

Assignment requirements: The ICT Frontier Report assignment should be 8-10 pages long (11 or 12 point font; 2.5cm margins, 1.5 line spacing) not including references, graphics or appendices. The Report will consist of the following parts:

• A title that succinctly describes the topic.
• A short (50-75 words) abstract that accurately describes the entire content of the report. This is not just a restatement of the purpose statement, but a brief description of entire report including any recommendations or conclusions.
• An uplifting, interesting and compelling introduction.
• A description of the technology, application or subject. This should be a corrected and/or updated version of what was submitted in the Overview assignment, but with approximately the same length.
• An analysis of this technology's use in business organisations. Key content to be included in this section includes:
• What benefits does the technology provide or promise for businesses?
• What businesses currently use this technology and how?
• What are the risks or challenges that face businesses in implementing and using this technology?
• If appropriate, compare the key vendors of this technology on factors such as their strengths, market and cost.
• Optionally, a section that offers some recommendations and insight for businesses considering adopting this technology.
• A References section that completely, accurately and consistently identifies the sources cited in the Report.
• Statement of academic integrity: On the last page should be this statement: "I declare that this research study is entirely the product of my own work. When the ideas, quotations, data and diagrams of others have been used in the report, the work has been properly cited in the text. This assignment was prepared exclusively by me for this paper and has not been submitted as assessed work in any other academic paper." Additionally, include a signature line and, when the essay is submitted, please sign this.

Submission of the assignment: A paper copy of the Report assignment is due at the start of lecture on 6 October. An electronic copy of the Report assignment is also due no later than 6pm on 6 October as an attachment to an e-mail message sent to d.viehland@massey.ac.nz. This should be saved in Word 1997/2003 (.doc file), not Word 2007 (not a .docx file). Late assignments will be assessed four late marks for each 24-hour period the assignment is submitted after the due date (please submit late assignments directly to Dennis or, if submitted to the Department of Management, have the cover sheet date stamped).

Assessment of the assignment: Approximately two-thirds of the assessment will be on what you say (e.g., appropriate topic, content complete but not overly verbose, evidence of academic research) and approximately one-third of the assessment will be on how you say it (e.g., grammar, format, idea flow). Note especially that interesting papers in the past have included comparison tables, pictures, charts and diagrams.

Additionally, on 6 October (and 13 October if necessary) each student will be asked to make a short presentation about his/her topic. This presentation will be informally assessed as part of final mark for the Report assignment. More information will be provided about this in lecture.

Plagiarism policy: Each electronic copy of this assignment will be submitted to Turnitin to detect plagiarism. Software at Turnitin will compare the assignment with content on the Web, previously submitted assignments, journals and textbooks. If substantial duplication without proper attribution is found, then plagiarism will be investigated.

For the record, plagiarism is copying or paraphrasing of another person's work, whether published or unpublished, without clearly acknowledging it. If detected, plagiarism will be considered a violation of the Massey University Code of Conduct and will be penalised by either by a drastic reduction in the final grade or automatic failure of 157.700. The honesty declaration that you must sign on each assignment ensures that you know this plagiarism policy exists and your final assignment complies with it.

This page was last updated on 29 January 2010.
Please send comments, dead links or questions to d.viehland@massey.ac.nz