Course Topics
In the context of research methods in business informatics, students should recognise which qualitative or quantitative research methods have been used on the basis of various literature contributions and understand them at least to some extent. A central competence is literature research, which not only serves to systematically record the state of research with the help of scientific databases and helps to identify gaps in research, but also to train the ability to recognise different methodological quality of research work. Students therefore also learn about models for scientific quality control such as peer review or quality metrics of scientific production. Scientific writing requires a clear, objective style, logical structure and correct citation methods for a well-founded presentation of the problem, methodology and results. Students write a literature-based paper in groups. Current topics in business informatics include artificial intelligence, digital business models and platform economics. Finally, the presentation of seminar papers is essential in order to communicate research results in a clear, structured and audience-appropriate manner - often with visual support and discussion.

Teaching format
Frontal lectures, interactive exercises, student assignments and presentations.

Educational objectives
The course belongs to the type "attività formative caratterizzanti – informatica". The course will train essential communication and writing skills for computer scientists that are supposed to work at the intersection with business functions in companies or public administrations. Furthermore, students will reflect on research methods in the business informatics and information systems subdiscipline based on current topics. Knowledge and understanding: • D1.13 - Overview of empirical research methods in business economics/information systems and their documentation/description in the context of scientific activities. • D1.18 - Understand the interdisciplinary approach to IT projects that takes into account technical foundations, business needs, social and dynamic aspects and the regulatory framework. Applying knowledge and understanding: • D2.3 - Ability to analyse business problems and to develop proposals for solutions with the help of IT tools. • D2.16 - Know how to carry out bibliographic research, use databases and other sources of information and describe and present the results in a scientific-seminarial work in business economics/information systems. Communication skills • D4.1 - Be able to use the three languages English, Italian and German and, in particular in English, be able to use appropriate technical terminology and communication style. • D4.4 - Ability to structure and prepare technical documentation. Learning skills • D5.1 - Learning ability to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy. • D5.3 - Ability to follow rapid technological developments and to learn about innovative aspects of the latest generation of information technology and systems.

Assessment
- Written assignments and oral presentations are to be carried out during the semester and refer to the written production of scientific text and the presentation of scientific works (70%) - Oral exam comprises the discussion and defense of one or more scientific papers (30%)

Evaluation criteria
The evaluation criteria for the assessment of the written and oral production of the students are as follows: • Written assignments: quality and structure of the paper, language of the written production, adequate illustration, correct formatting and citations, ability to critically read and reflect on scientific literature; • Oral presentations: quality and structure of the presentation, correct and adequate use of language, ability to critically reflect on scientific literature. • Oral exam: its purpose is to assess the students' understanding of their written assignments. The assessment will be based on correctness, clarity of answers and their ability to apply concepts on small sample problems.

Required readings

Readings will be provided as online sources via the OLE course environment.

Further information
Software used: Latex