Students will-

-      Improve understanding of the processes of research.
 
_	Appreciate the varied forms of disciplined inquiry 
	used in the instructional systems field.

_	Understand how research interests evolve via disciplined 
inquiry. 

_	Understand how existing research and theory influences 
the perspectives of scholars.

_	Understand how disciplined inquiry can advance a field 
	collectively, as well as the perspectives of individual
researchers. 

_	Explore, in-depth, the research and theory relevant to 
	an area of personal interest.

_	Identify alternative research problem statements within 
	a given problem area.

_	Understand the implications of problem statements 
	for research methods. 

_	Develop an abbreviated dissertation prospectus in an 
	area of student interest.

I.   Learning about IT research
     what is it?
     how is it conceptualized?
     basic vs. applied research problems
     ways of studying
     ethics in research
     effects of culture on research
              
II.  Learning about researchers
     primary researchers/theorists who influence the IT field
     who are they?
     where do they come from?
     how did their interests evolve?
              
III. Understanding the role of theory
     philosophy of science
     disciplined inquiry
     what is theory?
     how does theory interplay with research?
     how are theory-rooted perspectives developed?
     how does theory influence research and research influence 
	theory?
     how are hypotheses formed?
              
IV.  Understanding the contexts of research
     where are research problems seen in everyday practice of IT?
     how much of our practice is driven by lore vs. theory?
     how much tacit theory is evident in our field?
              
V.   Understanding research methods
     how do research frameworks evolve?
     how are problems defined?
     what methods do research problems suggest?
     what data can/should be generated to address the problems   
posed?

VI.  Observing and participating in research studies
     what does research look like?
     how do the pieces come together in practice?
              
VII. Connecting research with individual interests
     how do research interests crystallize?
     how do they evolve?
     what area(s) are of particular interest to the student?
              
VIII. Collaborating in research
      what are the individual's strengths and weaknesses as a 
researcher? 
      how can collaboration complement or augment the strengths  
of an individual researcher?
      how are research processes and activities coordinated?
      how are roles and responsibilities (and rewards) 
determined?
              
IX.   Conceptualizing and conducting independent research
      problem definition
      problem framing
      research methods
      materials development
      field testing/pilot testing
      validating materials/procedures/instruments
      implementing
      analyzing
      reporting
              
X.    Generating products of research
      journal articles
      dissertations
      conference papers
      monographs
              
XI.   Becoming a lifelong researcher 
      contributing to/shaping the future of the IT field
      mentoring
      establishing networks
      academic research contexts
      action research contexts