One Minute Paper

The one minute paper is based on the Lecture 1 slides “Introduction to Information Systems: What Is?” by Dr. David Kreps.

Main Learning Points

• The lesson defined data and information and discussed the differences between the two. This reinforced my understanding of the differences between data and information.
• The characteristics of information presented in the lesson provides a basis for deciding what qualifies as quality information.
• The lesson cleared the ambiguity between some earlier definitions of Information Technology and Information Systems which I have come across in the past. Based on my understanding of the lesson, I can now define Information Systems as being Information Technology with the people and processes. This new understanding has cleared the seeming confusion due to other definitions of the two terms.
• The lesson presented the information life cycle and highlighted the processes required to support information exchange. It also discussed Business Process Management.

Main Unanswered Question
Lesson answered the question about the differences between information and data but did little to address the many similarities between the two such the Information Lifecycle which also applies to data.

Lesson Part Requiring Clarification
The discourse on IS as an academic discipline which explained the three main strands of theory in information systems was not very clear as it did not quite explain the main elements of this approach and did not indicate if the Critical IS approach included the quantitative and qualitative approaches.