Reaserch Degrees

The M.Phil. and Ph.D. Research Degree Programmes in Information Systems Research Support Requirements Requirements for the Award of the Degree

The M.Phil. and Ph.D. Research Degree Programmes in Information Systems

Admitting its first batch of research students in 1990, the M.Phil. and Ph.D. research degree programmes in Information Systems are now amongst the largest and the most extensive of their kind in the region, with some 20 students currently enrolled on the programmes. These programmes develop scholars who can draw on the concepts and methods of information technology and organizational behavior in conducting research on complex issues arising from the design, application and management of information systems in organizations. Particular emphasis is placed on the links between theory and practice and upon the practical application of innovative information systems methods and techniques to business and organisational problems within an Asia-Pacific context. Graduates from the programmes are now employed in academic positions both in Hong Kong and abroad.

The following three main areas of research are offered in the Information Systems Research Degree Programmes:

• Information Systems Development;
• Management Support Systems; and
• Management and Organisational Aspects of Information Systems

Information Systems Development research deals with all aspects of systems development and includes areas such as: requirements engineering; object oriented analysis and design; soft systems methodology; computer-aided software engineering; software cost and effort estimation; and the productivity, quality and other measurable aspects of information systems.

The area of Management Support Systems is concerned with the novel application of information systems technology in the development of management systems. Within this area, topics researched includes: group support systems; decision support systems; executive information systems; expert systems; financial risk management systems; and database management systems.

Within the area of Management Organisational Aspects of Information Systems , research addresses: what information systems strategies an organisation should apply to conserve and strengthen its position; how information systems affect individuals and groups within and among organizations in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, transformation, end-user satisfaction and adoption; and the ethical, legal, policy and security aspects that surround information systems within organsiations and in society. The types of information systems being studied are multitudinous, ranging from standalone single-user systems to inter-organisational systems used in EDI and electronic commerce.

Although both the M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees are primarily research-based, they also contain a significant and important element of course work. With over 20 full-time academic staff, the IS Department has the capacity supervise research degrees in most mainstream areas of IS.

Research Support

Research support is very good by international standards and there is a supportive and congenial environment within which research students pursue their scholarly work. Research students are accommodated in special laboratories where they can exchange ideas and support each other. In addition, several specialized Information Systems laboratories are available for student use. These laboratories are connected to a departmental local area network and to the University's central computing facilities with access to the Internet. In addition, there is an IT Management Centre for Organisational Change and also numerous on-going research projects in the Information Systems Department, the resources of which may be drawn on to support the research degree programmes. Departmental staff and research students are active in the international IS research community through their publications in leading IS journals and conferences, and their participation on editorial boards and conference committees. Students are supervised by an international team of experienced active researchers. There is also a visiting scholars programme through which prominent IS professors worldwide are invited to visit the Department to give seminars and advise on research.

Requirements

Normally all students are admitted to the M.Phil. candidature in the first instance except where a student has already obtained a relevant research-based Master's degree. Mechanisms exist for an M.Phil. student of this University to transfer to Ph.D. registration after a specified period of successful study.

Master of Philosophy (M.Phil)

Requirements for the Award of the Degree

• Successfully completing prescribed coursework requirements;
• Presenting the results of research in a thesis which gives evidence of a sound understanding of the area of study, its context and applicability and makes a contribution to knowledge; and
• Passing an oral examination

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)