Overview

The PhD in Business Information Systems is a full-time programme taken over four years (48 months) from the date of first registration for the programme.

The programme contains a number of components that support the student's PhD research and thesis submission. Part I is designed to familiarise students with the research topics, issues and methods underpinning Information Systems research at the PhD level. Part II provides modules designed to assist students in refining the research topics they began developing in Part I, culminating in the presentation and defence of their thesis proposal. Part III focuses on conducting the thesis research and on the writing of the thesis. The primary determinant for the award of PhD (Business Information Systems) is the submission, successful examination and defence of a satisfactory thesis.

Please note: Due to the taught nature of Year 1 of the programme, students enrolling in Year 1 must be available to participate in taught modules on the first day of Semester 1 in the appropriate year.

See also under the General Regulations for the PhD Degree.

Exit award

MSc (Information Systems Research Practice)

Candidates who pass Parts I and II (90 credits), but do not progress to or fail to complete Part III will be eligible for the award of MSc (Information Systems Research Practice) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award).

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Part I - Year 1
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
BU7005	Qualitative Research Methods	5
BU7006	Quantitative Research Methods	5
BU7007	Action Design Research	5
IS7010	Foundations of IS Research	10
IS7012	IS Research Practicum 1	10
IS7014	IS Research Practicum 2	15
IS7017	IS Research Seminar Series	5
IS7018	Research Skills 1	5
Part II - Year 1
Students take 30 credits as follows:
Core Modules
IS7016	IS Research Practicum 3	20
IS7022	Research Skills 2	5
IS7023	Research Ethics, Integrity and Data Management	5
Part III - Years 2-4
The candidate will undertake a programme of original research and submit a thesis representing a significant original contribution to the field.

Examinations

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for PhD (Business Information Systems) (NFQ Level 10, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Critically discuss both seminal and emerging Information Systems research issues and topics;
  
• Critically analyse research literature in the Information Systems field in order to identify and articulate gaps in current knowledge;
  
• Identify and synthesise relevant literature to effectively theorise Information Systems phenomena;
  
• Select, articulate and justify methodological choices for achieving particular research objectives in the Information Systems field;
  
• Conduct empirical research through the gathering and analysis of data in a fashion commensurate with the highest international academic standards of methodological rigour and transparency;
  
• Effectively document and communicate the context, objectives, methodology, findings and implications of original research;
  
• Make an original and significant contribution to the Information Systems research literature based on empirical research;
  
• Clearly describe the academic and practical contributions and implications of their research, the limitations of their research, and appropriate directions for future research.