Participation in OSS Projects: Does It Support Release Early Release Often?

This research-in-progress paper explores the role participation in Open Source Software (OSS) projects has on the time between releases to begin to empirically test if release early, release often (Raymond, 1999) holds true in a practical sense. A model examining the effect that the number of project forum posts, as a proxy for participation, has on the average time between releases for that project. While the research question proposed expected a decrease in the average time as the number of post increases, in reality there is a significant, but small increase in the time. Further studies can build on this work by increasing the number of variables studied and working with project teams to qualitatively examine what factors drive participation

58 Percent Secure: Why Do So Many Wireless Networks Not Use Encryption?

This research project will analyze a large (n=98,000) dataset of wireless access points in two medium-sized US cities to examine changes in the use of encryption in 802.11 wireless networks over time. Further, changes in the use of encryption in these networks based on the socio-economic status of the network owner, and based on whether the owner is a business or an individual will be investigated. There is currently almost no research investigating the spread of wireless encryption as wireless networks become more prevalent. This ground-breaking research will establish a baseline for business and personal use of encryption in wireless networks, correlated with socioeconomic status and other census data. This baseline will help future researchers determine whether changes to wireless protocols and changes in methods of setting up wireless equipment increases the use of security protocols, thereby increasing the security of the network

Designing Data Science Graduate Programs: A Case for Applied Doctorates in IS

The United States faces a shortage of data scientists, which will affect many businesses and industries. As the viability and popularity of data warehousing and mining increases, many more qualified analysts will be needed. While programs at the Master’s level can provide technicians who can handle the storage and retrieval of data, the analytical skills needed for true data science requires the training only a doctoral level program can provide. This paper outlines a model for creating an applied doctorate in data science, following similarly styled programs in other technical fields. The program created by following this model could be self-sustaining by leveraging corporate funding of existing employees and sponsorship of new students to supplement more traditional sources of funding

Increasing Student Performance Through the Use of Web Services in Introductory Programming Classrooms: Results from a Series of Quasi-Experiments

An introduction to programming course can be a challenge for both students and instructors. This paper describes a study that introduced Web services (WS) and Service-Oriented Architecture in Information Systems 1 (IS 1) and Computer Science 1 (CS 1) programming courses over a two-year period. WS were used as an instruction tool based on their increased use in industry as well as their ability to provide a real world feel to student programming activities. The paper includes an example WS teaching module and a proposed implementation model for future studies based on lessons learned from the current experiment. The study was successful in showing a significant increase in student test performance for WS-taught courses over standard-taught courses

A Brief History of the Midwest Association for Information Systems: 2005-2020

The Midwest Association for Information Systems (MWAIS), founded in 2005, was recognized as an outstanding chapter of the Association for Information Systems (AIS) for all five years of the award (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018). MWAIS continues to grow and serve academics in the Midwest and the surrounding region through annual conferences, meetings and receptions at national and international conferences, and through its journal, Journal of the Midwest Association for Information Systems (JMWAIS). This article briefly describes the impetus and actors instrumental in the creation of the association and the current state of MWAIS, its conferences, and the journal

A Look Toward the Future: Decision Support Systems Research is Alive and Well

This commentary examines the historical importance of decision support to the information systems (IS) field from the viewpoint of four researchers whose work spans the several decades of decision support systems (DSS) research. Given this unique “generational” vantage point, we present the changes in and impact of DSS research as well as future considerations for decision support in the IS field. We argue that the DSS area has remained vital as technology has evolved and our understanding of decision-making processes has deepened. DSS work over the last several years has contributed both breadth and depth to decision-making research; the challenge now is to make sense of it all by placing it in an understandable context and by applying our analysis to the relevant issues looming in the future. One major outcome of this commentary is the identification of future trends in DSS research and what the users of these new DSS outlets can learn from the past. Trends include the increasing impact of social and mobile computing on DSS research, as well as knowledge management DSS and negotiation support systems that shift the focus to delivering more customer-centric and marketplace support

Panel: Grant Writing

Grant writing has become a major component of many academicians’ careers. As funding for projects becomes scarce at colleges and universities, external grants provide an excellent opportunity to fund small to large research studies that have an impact across a variety of fields and contexts. This panel will explore the process of grant writing, including locating, planning, writing, reviewing, and managing grants. The panelists provide a wide variety of grant writing experience. In particular the panel will cover topics include locating, planning, writing, reviewing, and managing a grant. Each panelist will highlight the following when discussing each topic: What are possible approaches when targeting a particular agency? How to match your research to fit with a request for proposal? How to avoid key pitfalls when pursuing external funding

ChatGPT – Another Hype or Out-of-this-World?

The launch of ChatGPT in November 2022 ushered in a new era of generative AI that has taken the world by storm. We wanted to seek the opinion of MWAIS colleagues. We asked the editorial board members of JMWAIS if they wish to respond to the following questions: 1) What is your overall opinion of GPT and similar platforms? 2) GPT’s potential implications for teaching, learning, and other student services? And 3) Have you already seen evidence of GPT in student work or in anything else where it might have come across, like research? This article includes responses we received