Using Conceptual Models in Research Methods Courses: An experience using iStar 2.0

Conceptual modelling languages are typically taught in graduate and postgraduate information systems programs. In the specific case of postgraduate information systems students, the lecturer has the opportunity to exploit conceptual modelling for educational purposes that go beyond learning how to apply the modelling paradigm or specific languages. In this paper, we report on our employment of the recently proposed iStar 2.0 in the master-level course Advanced Research Methods at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. During this course, the students conducted a design science project where iStar 2.0 artefacts are evaluated in an experimental setting. We present the course (intended learning objectives, learning materials, etc.), we explain how we employed iStar 2.0 therein, and we discuss our teaching experience including lessons learnt.

[1]  Guttorm Sindre,et al.  Evaluating the Quality of Process Models: Empirical Testing of a Quality Framework , 2002, ER.

[2]  Oscar Pastor,et al.  Communication Analysis: A Requirements Engineering Method for Information Systems , 2009, CAiSE.

[3]  Patrick Heymans,et al.  Visual syntax does matter: improving the cognitive effectiveness of the i* visual notation , 2010, Requirements Engineering.

[4]  Eric Yu,et al.  Modeling Strategic Relationships for Process Reengineering , 1995, Social Modeling for Requirements Engineering.

[5]  Patrick Heymans,et al.  Towards a More Semantically Transparent i* Visual Syntax , 2012, REFSQ.

[6]  Björn Regnell,et al.  Proceedings of the 18th international conference on Requirements Engineering: foundation for software quality , 2012 .

[7]  Roel Wieringa,et al.  Design Science Methodology for Information Systems and Software Engineering , 2014, Springer Berlin Heidelberg.

[8]  John Mylopoulos,et al.  Taking goal models downstream: A systematic roadmap , 2014, 2014 IEEE Eighth International Conference on Research Challenges in Information Science (RCIS).

[9]  Eric-Oluf Svee,et al.  iStar Instruction in Mixed Student Cohort Environments , 2015, iStarT@CAiSE.

[10]  Oscar Pastor,et al.  GoBIS: An integrated framework to analyse the goal and business process perspectives in information systems , 2015, Inf. Syst..

[11]  Fabiano Dalpiaz,et al.  Teaching Goal Modeling in Undergraduate Education , 2015, iStarT@CAiSE.

[12]  Jennifer Horkoff.  Observational Studies of new i* Users: Challenges and Recommendations , 2015, iStarT@CAiSE.

[13]  Xavier Franch,et al.  iStar 2.0 Language Guide , 2016, ArXiv.

[14]  Ruiz Carmona,et al.  TraceME: Traceability-based Method for Conceptual Model Evolution , 2016 .