* Literature Review
* What you do: You need to read much on your chosen topic. You are reading first to understand the topic area and what are the major concepts, variables, formats, analysis tools and studies that form the structure of knowledge in this area so that you can ultimately use these to answer your research question(s) and write the plan associated with your chosen IS Option. From this reading you develop an understanding of the plan that you are to develop, the tools and techniques of analysis that will be used, the data that is required and its sources. Through your research you will start to identify what types of analysis are going to be required to analyze and understand your situation, set objectives and then devise strategy to get you from where you are to where you want to be. For this class exercise you are to select an IS Option and become thoroughly familiar with plans of this nature: what they do, how they are developed, their component parts, appropriate structures, etc. You will also select three analysis tools or techniques that are required for use in answering your research question(s). Through research you will become thoroughly familiar with these three (or more) tools. You will need to perform a thorough review of the relevant studies and writings related to the development of your plan and associated analysis tools. Your research should include how the plan and tools that you have chosen are properly (and improperly) used so that you may use them correctly.
* Literature Review (Cont’d)
* What you write: Your task in writing the Lit Review Chapter of your paper is first to describe what is known about your selected type of plan as evidenced in the literature. You should do this in such a manner as to help the Reader to thoroughly understand plan types and variations in structure, format and component parts available and the rationale for the use of each. You should lead the Reader logically to the version of the plan that you have selected and why you have made the choices that resulted in this variation of the plan for your specific subject. You then write similar sections for each of the analysis tools that you have selected for use in conjunction with your plan, situation and research question(s). Your discussion would include, but not be limited to: what the technique or tool does, variations, data requirements, data collection methods, how the analysis is performed, the types of output, how it is interpreted, how the output is used (either in another technique or in devising strategy) proper use of the technique, misuses, possible problems or obstacles, limitations, etc. You would also provide the logical basis for why this particular version of the tool or technique was chosen for use in your plan. Your goal is to thoroughly educate the Reader (and yourself) about what you are proposing to do in your research and plan development such that the Reader understands and agrees with the choices that you make.