INS699 Master of Science in Information Systems Management Research Thesis | Zayed University UAE

The College of Technological Innovation (CTI)

INS 699 - Research Thesis: Research Thesis - P1

Name of Program	Master of Science in Information Systems Management
Term	202422 - 2025 Spring Semester
Course Pre-requisites	INS 601
Course Co-requisites
Credit hours	6	Lab hours	0
Lecture hours	6	Other hour	0

Schedule Type	PG Supervision Thesis
Delivery Mode
Student	M80009132 - Lulwa Bin Eshaq

1. Course Instructor Information

Course Instructor	Maher AlA'Raj
Instructor Rank	Associate Professor
Office Location	D-L1-039 or by appointment
Office Hours	Mon to Thu: 1100 - 1230
Telephone	+971 4 402 1238
E-mail	Maher.AlARaj@zu.ac.ae

Professional Biography of Graduate Course Instructor

Dr. Maher is an Associate Professor in the College of Technological Innovation. He earned his PhD in

Machine Learning in 2016 and his MSc in Modelling and Management of Risk in 2011, both from Brunel

University London, UK. He also holds a BSc in Computer Science from Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Jordan. With over a decade of experience, his expertise lies in Business Intelligence, Data Science, and Analytics.

2. Course Description

This course involves the conduct of research appropriate to the sub-specialization of the student. Students are required to submit one to two original articles of a standard suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals or conferences based on research undertaken during the candidate’s enrolment at Zayed University. This collection will also include a written plan as well as introductory and concluding documents that situate the paper(s) within the wider context of the research discipline. Through this unit the student will gain essential research skills to support an academic career. (This unit is offered on a pass/fail basis)

3. Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, a student will be able to:

1. Combine relevant analytical, research and investigation knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program and apply these in a coherent research study.
2. Initiate, design, manage, and complete a study on digital transformation research topics.
3. Critically evaluate existing literature to identify gaps that suggest research opportunities.
4. Produce a substantial thesis following internationally recognized standards

Alignment to Program Learning Outcomes

TI_MSISM: Information Systems Management--M.S.: Master of Science	Course Learning Outcomes
1. Systems Thinking: Demonstrate an appropriate level of advanced skills and knowledge relevant to recognizing systemic properties of organizational contexts.	1, 2
2. IS Investigation & Analysis: Research, examine and critically analyze opportunities or problems for which information systems and emerging technologies can provide solutions within a complex organizational context.	1, 2, 3, 4
3. Management of IS: Evaluate the potential of emerging IS knowledge to achieve enterprise goals and competitive advantage.
4. IS Professional Practice: Critically analyze global, ethical, socio-technical and legal issues pertaining to IS and emerging technologies and outline practical strategies to deal with the implementation and the integration of IT solutions.	4
5. IS Applications: Design IS / digital transformation solutions within an organizational context.	3, 4
6. ISM Systems and Practice: Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills required to adapt, integrate and manage IS and emerging technologies solutions within an organization using a variety of methods.	1, 2, 3

4. Course Text/s

Additional Learning Materials

Text Other

Other Material

Review Research Methods, Library Tools and 12-20 papers on domain of interest.

Materials vary from one thesis topic to another.  The “Guidelines for Master’s Theses at Zayed University” document will be issued, giving detailed requirements and expectations. This will provide details on required word count, structure of report, referencing style, acceptable forms of research and investigation, meeting schedule requirements, grading and other criteria consistent with Institutional expectations and norms.

5. Course Requirements

Standard laptop with access to SAP and ZU resources.

6. Course Schedule

Activity	Revise and expand the original research proposal by: -               Perform a complete literature review covering all related work. -               Investigate open research directions and identify possible contributions -               Design the experiments, simulations, surveys, and or other research- Meet with the thesis supervisor and or thesis advisory committee to receive feedback -               Document findings in a reporting agenda
Work Products	The thesis report draft will be submitted to the thesis advisory committee. The report should adhere to the Thesis Preparation Guidelines.
Milestone Due Date	March 10, 2025
Activity	Revise the submitted Progress Report based on the comments received from the thesis advisory committee.
Work Products	Research progress report re-submitted to the thesis advisory committee.
Milestone Due Date	May 8, 2025

7. Assessment of Student Learning

Item	Description	Due Date for Examination Committee MM/DD/YYYY	Course Learning Outcomes
Progress Report	Master Thesis: A Master Thesis presents scholarly work produced by a student who is pursuing a master’s degree with the thesis option. The thesis demonstrates the student’s familiarity with the literature of the field of study and reflects the student’s reasoned selection and careful execution of research methodology. If the thesis is based on empirical research, it will show the student’s ability to analyze and interpret research data.	05/08/2025	1,2,3

8. Grading Key

A grade of "CC" is assigned to students who have made continuous, substantial progress in the research and writing toward the completion of the thesis/dissertation.

A grade of "NC" is assigned to students who did not meet the satisfactory progress standards set forth by the research supervisor.

A grade of "Pass" is assigned to students who have successfully defended their thesis/dissertation and whose thesis/dissertation has been accepted by the examination committee.

A grade of "NP" in the thesis course is a failing grade. If the thesis/dissertation is considered "Not Accepted" by the Examination Committee, the Research Supervisor submits a failing grade (NP) for the thesis credits.

9. Course Policies

9.1 Course-Level Policies

9.2 Attendance Policies

Attendance

• Students are expected to attend all classes, labs, seminars and examinations related to the courses in which they are registered.
• Faculty will determine the attendance recording standards for their classes.
• Students are responsible for keeping track of their own attendance.
• Students are not allowed to attend classes without being officially registered in the course.

Absence from Class

• It is your responsibility to inform the instructor in a timely manner if you are going to be absent from class.
• It is your responsibility to catch up on work missed through class absence.
• Permission to make up work may be granted by faculty for reasonable cause. Requests must be made immediately upon your return to class.
• Students should notify the Graduate Program Coordinator concerning lengthy absences due to illness or other causes, and appropriate documentation is required in such cases.
• If you miss more than 50% of the class meetings according to the record of the instructor, you may be dismissed from the class. The decision will be made by the instructor in consultation with the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Reasonable Causes for Absence

• Students who are absent from class should provide relevant and official documentation.
• Categories of reasonable cause and the documentation required are:
  a) University sponsored student activity; an official letter from the college/department sponsoring the activity is required.
  b) Medical issue; a medical report indicating the issue as well as the implications of the condition is required.
  c) Work-related commitment; an official letter from the place of employment is required. d) Family emergency.

Related Policies and Laws

ACA-GRA-202 Academic Progress in Graduate Programs ACA-GRA-208 Academic Appeals for Graduate Programs

10. Academic Integrity

10.1 Zayed University Honor Code

"In the Name of God Most Gracious Most Merciful"

As a student of the University that carries the name of the beloved and revered father of the nation, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahayan (may his soul rest in eternal peace), I pledge to:

• Demonstrate the virtues of honesty, respect and fairness
• Adhere to the highest standards of personal moral conduct
• Refrain from any and all forms of academic dishonesty
• Present a positive image of myself by acting with maturity and honor
• Take responsibility for my actions and do my part to maintain a community of trust
• Dedicate myself to the achievement of the University’s excellence

I promise to honor Sheikh Zayed and to preserve his legacy by following the example set by the wise and beloved father of the United Arab Emirates

10.2 Desired Behavior

Students are expected to do their own work, citing all of the sources they use and being honest and open in all of their dealings with instructors, advisors, classmates, and administrators.

10.3 Prohibited Behavior

All forms of academic dishonesty are strictly prohibited. Violators of this code are subject to university discipline. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

• Cheating
• Plagiarism
• Falsification of data
• Inventing or misrepresenting research or citations
• Helping others to cheat, plagiarize or falsify material
• Obtaining copies of tests without permission
• Misrepresenting coursework done for another course as new work without prior permission from the instructor
• Interfering with other students’ work
• Taking a quiz or examination for another student, or having another student take a quiz or examination for oneself
• Collaborating with others on assignments meant to be done on one’s own, without the prior permission of the instructor
• Abuse, misuse or appropriation of shared instructional or research resources
• Destroying or tampering with shared instructional or research resources
• Withholding or hiding shared instructional or research resources
• Appropriation of shared instructional or research resources

10.4 University Discipline

The student who engages in behavior prohibited by this Policy may be subject to University discipline as well as discipline in the course, department, or college in which the offense occurred.

11. Disability

Under UAE Federal Law; Students of Determination (Physical Disabilities and Learning Difficulties) are entitled to receive exam accommodation, such as, access to Assistive Technology, extra time, rest breaks or use of a separate room. To avail of this accommodation students must be registered with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) where their requirements will be accessed. For registration and further information please contact the

Department of Student Accessibility Services (SAS); the Manager, Humaid Matter AlTayer Assistive Technology Resource Center Abu Dhabi, LB-01-037, and in Dubai, the Manager, Khalaf AlHabtoor Assistive Technology Resource Center, 04-GF-054.