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Student Research Project Information


Project Title: Information Systems Skills and Career Success

By: Richard D. Colvin

Committee Chair: Dr. Jeffrey P. Landry, 251-460-6390

School of Computer and Information Science, Master’s Thesis

University of South Alabama

April 1, 2006





For this study, you will be asked to complete a survey that asks questions about career success and the importance of skills in the information systems profession. It will take approximately 20 minutes to complete the survey. If you have not already done so, you will also be asked to complete the Institute for the Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) Information Systems Analyst Exam, at no cost to you. At the conclusion of the study, provided that you have met all other eligibility criteria, you will be eligible to receive certification in your profession through the ICCP.



We thank you for helping researchers in the IS profession learn more about the skills needed for IS practitioners. Should you decide to participate, you will be asked to enter the participant key, which you received in an email or letter. Please have this information ready.




INFORMED CONSENT FOR SURVEYS OR QUESTIONNAIRES




This Information Systems Skills and Career Success Survey is associated with a study being conducted by a student at the University of South Alabama, School of Computer and Information Science, to investigate the relationship between the fitness of skills for a particular IS specialization and the career success of information systems professionals. Your participation is this study is limited to the completion of the survey your are about to be presented and the completion of the Institute for the Certification of Computing Professionals Information Systems Analyst exam under a separate process. Risks associated with your participation in this study are minimal, have been explained to you, and must be acceptable to you or you must not complete the survey. This study will be of benefit to IS professionals and educators by providing new insights into the skills used by IS professionals in different IS specializations. There are no alternative methods of participation beyond completing this survey and the IS Analyst exam. The results of this study will not be reported in a way that will reveal the identity of individual participants. As this study involves minimal risks for participants, no compensation will be provided in exchange for your participation. Your participation is voluntary and you may stop completing the survey at any time, without penalty. You do not have to answer any question(s) you choose not to answer.



The State of Alabama, the location of the University of South Alabama, requires that all participants in studies of this nature be at least 19 years of age at the time of participation. By agreeing to participate in the survey, you certify that you are at least 19 years of age. If you are not at least 19 year of age, you must not agree to participate.



If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Richard Colvin at [email protected]. You can also contact Richard by leaving a message with the sponsoring school at 251-460-6390.



If you agree to the terms of this informed consent, please start the survey by clicking Yes, I agree to participate. If you do not agree to participate or you are not at least 19 years of age, please exit the survey by clicking No, I do not agree to participate.


 
Yes, I agree to participate
 
No, I do not agree to participate
 
 
 
* Please enter the Participant Key that you received in a separate email or letter at the time you were invited to participate in this survey. This key will act as your electronic signature that you have agreed to participate under informed consent, while protecting your privacy in this survey process.
   
 
 

During the last three years, I have:
 
Been employed full-time in the IS profession.
 
Been employed full-time in the IS profession at least two out of three years?
 
Been employed full-time in the IS profession for at least one out of three years?
 
Not been employed full-time in the IS profession
 
 
Please rate the question above based on readability, understandability, and answerability.
No evidence of a problem Possible problem Definite problem
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in reading the question as worded?
To what extent, if any, does the question contain words or concepts that are not easily or consistently understood?
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in knowing or providing the answer to the question?
 
 
If you answered Possible problem or Definite Problem to any of the above, please provide suggestions for improvement.
   
 
 
Here is a list of IS specializations along with a description of the typical work performed in each specialization.
Which specialization best describes what you do as an IS professional?
 
IS Analyst -Provides detailed studies and analysis of requirements, works with customers and team to design specific solutions, and facilitates all meetings; develops systems specifications; revises and refines systems as required; prepares time estimates for systems development; and maintains operational/systems level documentation.
 
Database Analyst -Prepares database designs by analyzing business requirements and translating ideas into physical, conceptual, and logical models; monitors application performance; installs, upgrades, and tunes performance of database servers; responsible for backup and recovery; provides administration and support of multi-protocol, multi-platform databases; and supports database application and hardware.
 
Application Developer - Performs program code development for systems; participates in implementation of design specifications, system flow designs, documentation, testing, and ongoing support of systems.
 
Network Administrator -Analyzes and implements data communication changes and enhancements; specifies, procures, installs, implements, and upgrades communication systems and interfaces; manages networks and configures firewalls, proxy servers, and other related services; determines network trends, provides administration and support of multi-protocol and multi-platform networks; and investigates and resolves network inefficiencies.
 
IS Manager -Analyzes, predicts, and controls quality, schedule, cost, cycle time, and productivity when acquiring, building, or enhancing software systems; converts project specifications into a sequence of detailed instructions and logical steps for coding into languages that can be processed by computer; defines, matures, and accelerates the adoption of improved technical engineering knowledge, processes, and tools.
 
 
Please rate the question above based on readability, understandability, and answerability.
No evidence of a problem Possible problem Definite problem
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in reading the question as worded?
To what extent, if any, does the question contain words or concepts that are not easily or consistently understood?
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in knowing or providing the answer to the question?
 
 
If you answered Possible problem or Definite Problem to any of the above, please provide suggestions for improvement.
   
 
 
How important are the following Software Development skills in your work as ${piping_text}?
Very Important Somewhat Important Neutral Somewhat Unimportant Very Unimportant
Programming: principles, objects, algorithms, modules, and testing; including modularity, objects and abstract data types, data structures, algorithm design, verification and validation, cohesion, coupling, language selection, user interface design, debugging, testing, documentation, installation, integration, and operation
Application Development: requirements, specifications, development, and Human Computer Interaction (HCI) considerations; including principles, concepts, standards, requirements specification, HCI planning, development and testing, configuration management, installation, module integration, conversion, and operation
Algorithm Design, Data, Object and File Structures; including analysis, design, development, debugging, and testing simple data structures
Problem Solving -including identifying problems and systems, devising questions to help identify problems, applying systems concepts to definitions and solutions of problems, formulating creative solutions to simple and complex problems; using SWOT, Simon Model, Triz, and ASIT
Client Server Software Development; including thin/full clients and developing software specifications; client development, testing, installation, configuration, trouble-shooting, enhancement, maintenance, training, and support; report/interface development, developing and using documentation standards, application configuration management, and project documentation
 
 
Please rate the question above based on readability, understandability, and answerability.
No evidence of a problem Possible problem Definite problem
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in reading the question as worded?
To what extent, if any, does the question contain words or concepts that are not easily or consistently understood?
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in knowing or providing the answer to the question?
 
 
If you answered Possible problem or Definite Problem to any of the above, please provide suggestions for improvement.
   
 
 
How important are the following Web Development skills in your work as ${piping_text}?
Very Important Somewhat Important Neutral Somewhat Unimportant Very Unimportant
Web Page Development: HTML, Page Editors, and Tools; including FrontPage, HTML, page building/edit tools, frames, and http
Web Programming: Thin Clients, asp, aspx, ODBC, CGI, E-commerce, and Web Services; including thin client programming, page design, HTML, *.asp/aspx coding, session variables/page security, ODBC, CGI programming, integration of multi-media, e-commerce models, tools: Perl, Visual Studio, Java, and Web services
 
 
Please rate the question above based on readability, understandability, and answerability.
No evidence of a problem Possible problem Definite problem
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in reading the question as worded?
To what extent, if any, does the question contain words or concepts that are not easily or consistently understood?
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in knowing or providing the answer to the question?
 
 
If you answered Possible problem or Definite Problem to any of the above, please provide suggestions for improvement.
   
 
 
How important are the following Database skills in your work as the (insert specialization)?
Very Important Somewhat Important Neutral Somewhat Unimportant Very Unimportant
Modeling and Design, Construction, Schema Tools, and DB Systems; including modeling, SQL, construction, tools-top down, bottom up designs; schema development tools; desktop/enterprise conversions; systems: Access, SQL Server/Oracle/Sybase, data warehousing and mining; scripts, GUI tools
Triggers, Stored Procedures, Audit Controls: Design and Development; including triggers: concepts, design, development, and testing; audit control concepts/standards, and audit control implementation
Administration: Security, Safety, Backup, Repairs, and Replication; including monitoring, safety, security, administration, replication, repair, upgrades, backups, mirroring, privacy, legal standards, and HIPAA
Metadata: Architectures, Systems, and Administration; including definition, principles, practices, role of metadata in database design, repositories, dictionaries, creation, ETL, administration, usage, and tools.
Data Warehouse: Design, Conversions, and Reporting; including star schema, ETL, data cleansing and storage, reporting tools, business intelligence, analytic queries, SQL OLAP extensions, and data mining
Data Quality: Dimensions, Assessment, and Improvement; including data accuracy, believability, relevancy, resolution, completeness, consistency, timeliness; data definition quality characteristics, and data model/requirements quality characteristics; data clean-up of legacy data, mapping, and transforming; data defect prevention, data quality employee motivation, and information quality maturity
 
 
Please rate the question above based on readability, understandability, and answerability.
No evidence of a problem Possible problem Definite problem
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in reading the question as worded?
To what extent, if any, does the question contain words or concepts that are not easily or consistently understood?
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in knowing or providing the answer to the question?
 
 
If you answered Possible problem or Definite Problem to any of the above, please provide suggestions for improvement.
   
 
 
How important are the following Platform and Networking skills in your work as ${piping_text}?
Very Important Somewhat Important Neutral Somewhat Unimportant Very Unimportant
Computer Systems Hardware; including fundamentals: cpu, disk, tape, bus, interface components; assembler coding, interrupts, DMA, and memory addressing
Networking (LAN/WAN) and Telecommunications; including fundamentals: media, devices, layered models, TCP/IP, telephony, and network architectures
Operating Systems Management: Multi Platforms/Protocols, Windows, Unix, Linux; including systems: Windows XP, Unix, and Linux; installation, configuration, security, connectivity, and performance monitoring
Computer Systems Software: OS Fundamentals, and Resource Management Concepts; including OS fundamentals: memory, disk, tape, resource management, and remote management
LAN/WAN Design and Management; including ethernets, hubs, routers, TCP/IP, internet, and intranet; enterprise networking, LANS/WANS, network administration, design, configuration, installation, optimization, monitoring, testing, troubleshooting, router configuration, router protocols, switches, firewalls security, and wireless considerations.
Systems Configuration, Operation, and Administration; including conversion, installation, integration, monitoring, maintenance, upgrades, and documentation
 
 
Please rate the question above based on readability, understandability, and answerability.
No evidence of a problem Possible problem Definite problem
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in reading the question as worded?
To what extent, if any, does the question contain words or concepts that are not easily or consistently understood?
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in knowing or providing the answer to the question?
 
 
If you answered Possible problem or Definite Problem to any of the above, please provide suggestions for improvement.
   
 
 
How important are the following Business Fundamentals skills in your work as the (insert specialization)?
Very Important Somewhat Important Neutral Somewhat Unimportant Very Unimportant
Learning Business Process and Environment
Accounting, Distribution, Finance, HR, Marketing, Production, and International Business
Business Problems and Appropriate Technical Solutions
 
 
Please rate the question above based on readability, understandability, and answerability.
No evidence of a problem Possible problem Definite problem
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in reading the question as worded?
To what extent, if any, does the question contain words or concepts that are not easily or consistently understood?
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in knowing or providing the answer to the question?
 
 
If you answered Possible problem or Definite Problem to any of the above, please provide suggestions for improvement.
   
 
 
How important are the following Individual and Team Interpersonal skills in your work as ${piping_text}?
Very Important Somewhat Important Neutral Somewhat Unimportant Very Unimportant
Learning to Learn; including attitude of personal responsibility, journals, learning maps, habits of reading, listening to tape/cd, attending professional seminars, and teaching others meta-thinking
Professionalism: Self Directed, Leadership, and Time Management; including being self-directed and proactive, personal goal setting and leadership, time management, and being sensitive to organizational culture and policies
Personal Skills: Encouraging, Listening, and Being Organized; including negotiating and being persuasive
Professionalism: Committing to and Completing Work; including rigorously completing assignments
Teams: Team Building, Vision/Mission Development, and Synergy; including planning, synergistic consensus building and problem solving
Communication: Oral, Written, Multimedia, and Empathetic Listening; including multimedia techniques, communicating in a variety of settings, and principle centered leadership
Ethics: Theory/Concepts, Setting an Ethical Example; including codes of ethics--AITP/ACM and ethical policies
 
 
Please rate the question above based on readability, understandability, and answerability.
No evidence of a problem Possible problem Definite problem
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in reading the question as worded?
To what extent, if any, does the question contain words or concepts that are not easily or consistently understood?
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in knowing or providing the answer to the question?
 
 
If you answered Possible problem or Definite Problem to any of the above, please provide suggestions for improvement.
   
 
 
How important are the following Systems Analysis and Design skills in your work as the ${piping_text}?
Very Important Somewhat Important Neutral Somewhat Unimportant Very Unimportant
Strategic Utilization of Information Technology; including use of IT to support business process, team development systems, reengineering concepts and application, and methodologies
IS Planning; including value of IT, integration of IT in reengineering, and IT policy
IT and Organizational Systems; including types of systems, relationship of business process and IT, user developed systems, use of packaged software, and decision systems
Information Systems Analysis and Design; including information analysis, group techniques/meetings design, information architectures, enterprise IS development with strategic process, application and security planning, conversion, and testing
Decision Making; including personal decision making, Simon’s model, structured and unstructured decisions, decision tools, expert systems, and advanced problem solving (Triz, Asit)
Systems Concepts, Use of IT, and Customer Service; including developing client relationships, understanding and meeting needs, and involving the client
Systems Theory and Quality Concepts; including system components, relationships, flows, concepts, application of events, measurement, customer expectations, and quality concepts
 
 
Please rate the question above based on readability, understandability, and answerability.
No evidence of a problem Possible problem Definite problem
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in reading the question as worded?
To what extent, if any, does the question contain words or concepts that are not easily or consistently understood?
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in knowing or providing the answer to the question?
 
 
If you answered Possible problem or Definite Problem to any of the above, please provide suggestions for improvement.
   
 
 
How important are the following Project Management skills in your work as ${piping_text}?
Very Important Somewhat Important Neutral Somewhat Unimportant Very Unimportant
Team Leading and Project Goal Setting; including establish project goals consistent with organizational goals
Monitor and Direct Resources and Activities; including specify, gather, deploy, monitor, and direct resources and activities
Coordinate Life Cycle Scheduling and Planning; including life cycle coordination, consultant management, schedule management, use of project planning--e.g. project team building, reporting, and documentation management
Apply Concepts of Continuous Quality Improvement; including providing reliable, cost-effective solutions that satisfy formal standards for performance, capacity, reliability, security, and safety; concept of standard practice--IEEE; ISO 9000; Federal, state and local, CMMI, 6 Sigma
Project Scheduling and Tracking; including planning, scheduling, and milestones; selection of process model; organizational issues; work breakdown structures; staffing; cost estimation, risk analysis, resources allocation, reviews, measurement, feedback, communication, ensuring quality, and using tools
 
 
Please rate the question above based on readability, understandability, and answerability.
No evidence of a problem Possible problem Definite problem
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in reading the question as worded?
To what extent, if any, does the question contain words or concepts that are not easily or consistently understood?
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in knowing or providing the answer to the question?
 
 
If you answered Possible problem or Definite Problem to any of the above, please provide suggestions for improvement.
   
 
 
Indicate your agreement to the following statements regarding your satisfaction with your IS career.
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
I am satisfied with the success I have achieved in my career.
I am satisfied with the progress I have made toward meeting my overall career goals.
I am satisfied with the progress I have made toward meeting my goals for income.
I am satisfied with the progress I have made toward meeting my goals for advancement.
I am satisfied with the progress I have made toward meeting my goals for the development of new skills.
 
 
Please rate the question above based on readability, understandability, and answerability.
No evidence of a problem Possible problem Definite problem
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in reading the question as worded?
To what extent, if any, does the question contain words or concepts that are not easily or consistently understood?
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in knowing or providing the answer to the question?
 
 
If you answered Possible problem or Definite Problem to any of the above, please provide suggestions for improvement.
   
 
 
A sponsoring relationship is defined as a relationship with an individual of higher status or greater influence in the organization that provides you with favored status, special treatment, or increased power and influence. A mentoring relationship is defined as a relationship with more experienced colleague in order to provide you with increased opportunities for advancement, corporate visibility, guidance and advice, and "running interference."



Since beginning work in your IS career, have you participated in a sponsoring or mentoring type of relationship?
 
Yes, I have experienced mentorship or sponsorship in my IS career
 
No, I have not experienced mentorship or sponsorship in my IS career
 
 
Please rate the question above based on readability, understandability, and answerability.
No evidence of a problem Possible problem Definite problem
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in reading the question as worded?
To what extent, if any, does the question contain words or concepts that are not easily or consistently understood?
To what extent, if any, is there difficulty in knowing or providing the answer to the question?
 
 
If you answered Possible problem or Definite Problem to any of the above, please provide suggestions for improvement.
   
 
 

Please indicate your gender.
 
Male
 
Female
 
 

Please indicate the ethnic background that best describes you.
 
Native American/American Indian/AK Nat
 
Native HI/Pacific Islander
 
Asian Indian
 
Black - Non Hispanic
 
Caucasian - Non Hispanic
 
Asian/Asian American
 
Hispanic
 
Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions regarding this survey.
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