Area of Study
Phenomena
Epistemology
Sub-Field within the Discipline
Research Method
Key Concepts
Leading Theory
Key Book/Seminal Text
Key Thinker and a Key Practitioner
Professional/Academic Journal
Professional/Academic Association
Information Technology
Information Technology phenomena is anything that relates to computer systems as well as human interaction with these systems. This incorporates cyber security, user interaction and satisfaction with a particular software, user interface design, speed and reliability of a server, proper use and maintenance of technology resources, smartphone optimization, and many many more aspects that would take an innumerable amount of time to list.
The epistemology of Information Technology is the assumption that the understanding and investigation of technology is key to expanding human and societal progress. This progress stems from understanding, optimizing, and easing access to computer and information systems.
Cyber Security
Research methods in Information Technology are both qualitative and quantitative, depending on the goals of the researchers involved. Some examples of qualitative research methods include user feedback for software or computer interface through surveys, observations of users using a particular software or piece of technology, or interviewing individuals in relation to computer systems to gauge their preferences.
The previously mentioned examples can also be used for quantitative methods but with a focus on statistics and numbers rather than what individuals think of something. This could include experiments designed to see how a computer system behaves with different loads and resources.
Three terms in Information Technology are Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, Local Area Network (LAN), and Social Engineering.
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal operation of a server, service, or network by overwhelming the previously mentioned target or its surrounding infrastructure with an enormous amount of data/traffic.
A Local Area Network (Lan) is a series of computers connected together to form a network in a certain location. A LAN is most often exclusive to an organization, such as a school, office, association or church.
Social Engineering is the process of manipulating, influencing, or deceiving individuals in order to gain control over a certain computer system through different malicious methods.
Media Richness Theory (MRT) is a theory that is used primarily to describe and evaluate communication mediums within an organization in terms of their effectiveness. These mediums are measured in terms of speed of feedback (immediacy), variety of channels (audio/visual), how personal the medium is, and the richness and variety of language. For example, a face-to-face medium is high in richness, and a written medium is low. The theory also notes that both high and low richness mediums have their own advantages based on the situation.
Although there are many different key books and texts in Information Technology given the nature of the field, the CompTIA A+ Core 1 Certification Study Guide is an essential foundational book.
Alan Turing
Journal of Advances in Information Technology
Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)