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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy: Information Systems 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90651  Doctor of Philosophy: Information Systems 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
To provide South Africa with highly skilled human capital in the field of Information Systems research to help ensure that the country will be able to compete effectively in the global information/knowledge economy.

To continuously research ways of increasing the access of all people to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

To innovatively develop solutions for bridging the digital divide in developing countries.

To discover ways of harnessing information technology for the advancement of national aims. In the case of South Africa (and even Africa) generally these aims include inter alia "upliftment", "reconstruction" and "redevelopment". The qualification would contribute in assisting South Africa (and other developing countries) to cope with the complex issue of being a modern nation in a globalised economy while grappling with wide-spread poverty and an inadequate infrastructure.

To create an extensive regional and international network through which researchers can collaborate to investigate the use of information systems and technology to enhance the management and functioning of government, business and non-profit organisations.

To build important bridges of learning between developing and developed countries with regard to the use of information systems and technology to eventually benefit people everywhere.

Thus to marry excellence in research with the needs of South Africa (as well as Africa and other developing countries) by promoting in-depth investigation of Information Systems topics to the benefit of the country and the Information Systems discipline.

Rationale:
A major driving force of many changes experienced in industry today is Information Technology. Information Systems are at the core of most innovations used by organisations to succeed or even to survive. Unfortunately very little research at an advanced Doctor of Philosophy level is being done in the field of information systems incorporating a holistic approach of people, technology and processes. The Doctor of Philosophy: Information Systems would assuage this problem and augment the critical shortage of Information Systems and Information Technology skills and researchers in the country.

To realise government's intention to improve our ICT capacity has been firmly established in Higher Education. The 2001 National Plan for Higher Education emphasised the need to increase enrolment and graduation in science, engineering and technology qualifications. However, information technology represents only 5% of total enrolment, and 4% of total graduates, representing approximately 5 000 graduates per year. These numbers fall short of industry projected needs.

The introduction of a Doctor of Philosophy: Information Systems will contribute to alleviating the skills shortage and thus realising the goals of government. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
A learner should have:
  • A clear understanding of the Information Systems environment in a commercial or academic setting.
  • A firm basis in Information Sciences and training to manage information and carry out research.
  • Good oral and writing skills.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Access to the qualification can be provided in terms of the university's RPL policy and its admission criteria stipulated by Senate. In the RPL process learners have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course (PDC) to support the learner's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the learners' interest in Information Systems as an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project.

    Access to the Qualification:
    Learners who have completed a relevant research Master's Degree successfully will gain access to do this Doctor of Philosophy qualification in Information Systems. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification comprises a thesis/dissertation worth 360 Credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The qualifying learner should, upon completion of this qualification be able to:
  • Demonstrate expertise and specialist forefront knowledge in Information Systems and apply these creatively and innovatively within the disciplinary field of study (inclusive of multi-disciplinary, trans-disciplinary and interdisciplinary study) and/or own profession.
  • Exercise intellectual independence, mature and sound judgment and high levels of self-reflexivity and adaptability.
  • Demonstrate academic integrity and adhere to professional or self-defined ethics.
  • Communicate academically and professionally with peers and colleagues within a contextual environment and participate in academic debates at the cutting edge of a specialist area of study, nationally and internationally.
  • Produce a thesis/dissertation which meets international standards of scholarly and professional writing.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    The qualifying learner is to be able to:
  • Identify, analyse, formulate and solve highly complex problems creatively, autonomously and responsibly.
  • Provide leadership in a team, group, organisation and community.
  • Manage and organise the activities of others effectively.
  • Collect, analyse organise and critically evaluate information at an advanced and specialised level.
  • Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in a sustained discourse.
  • Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment, health and safety of others.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that the problem-solving context does not exist in isolation, but are interrelated through multi-, trans-, and inter-disciplinarity. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following assessment criteria are applied in an integrated manner to all the Exit Level Outcomes and should demostrate competancy at Dotoral level:
  • The comprehensiveness, reasoning and depth of the research undertaken.
  • Inter-relatedness and multi-disciplinarily nature of reasoning and arguments.
  • Sound knowledge and theoretical base of the research.
  • Use of statistical data analysis (qualitative and/or quantitative research methods) in line with requirements in this regard.
  • Alignment of hypothesis, research objectives, questions, theoretical framework, analysis and recommendations made.
  • Methods used to ensure validity of the research.
  • International comparability of the research.
  • The ability to present the results of research that complies with criteria supported by the research community.
  • Use of technology in presenting information and statistical data analysis.
  • The design of the research product in line with standards set by the research community.
  • Clear knowledge and understanding of the researched problem and the possible solutions to the problem.
  • Ability to defend academically own analysis and recommendations made.
  • Integration of resources with research undertaken and coverage of all relevant sources.
  • Information gathered using appropriate data collecting methods such as sampling, questionnaires, interviews, inclusive of the use of library, electronic and other retrieval methods.
  • Method used to report relevant sources is in line with research standards for verification such as triangulation.
  • Synthesis of information into a coherent body of knowledge is done to the extent that it adheres to academic standards regarding accuracy, truthfulness and biasness.
  • The ability to critically relate own analysis to existing theories.
  • The ability to engage epistemologically with the chosen field of study and the problem identified for the research.
  • The ability to engender the values of inquiry, critical thinking, creativity and open-mindedness.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The learners' knowledge of Information Systems will be assessed by the supervisor and faculty members via a formal proposal for Doctor of Philosophy research by the end of their first year. This will be assessed by a committee of at least three professors, one of which must be external. Learners will complete a research project to be presented as a thesis/dissertation. Assessment of the thesis/dissertation will be carried out by Faculty members and international external examiners. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Doctor of Philosophy Degree by thesis/dissertation will be comparable to those doctoral Degrees in Information Systems offered by international institutions such as New York University, Brunel University London and Washington University.

    New York University in the United States offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems which introduces learners to scientific paradigms and research perspectives related to the economics of information technologies. Topics include information goods, piracy, digital rights management, network economics, sponsored search auctions, user-generated content, contagion in networks, technological innovation, IT productivity, the digital commons and online privacy. Learners will also be introduced to data science, sociological and organisational literature on the role of Information Technology in organisations and society. The focus will be two-fold. First, the learner will read textbook segments, classic papers, and new research, with the goal of understanding research in data science. Second, the learner will study the actual practical application of data science methods to extract knowledge from large-scale data. Topics such as machine learning, data mining, information retrieval, text classification, sentiment analysis, similarity analysis, network analysis, graphical models, Bayesian models, topic models, model evaluation, crowd-sourcing and micro-outsourcing, massive-scale data processing, reducing data for analytic purposes, and more. The learner will discuss applications that are of current interest, such as recommender systems, social-network marketing, online advertising, Mechanical Turking and more.

    Brunel University London in the United Kingdom offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems which focuses on software engineering, information systems, information science, intelligent data analysis, human-computer interaction and biological and healthcare informatics. The institutions network of public and private sector collaborators ensures that the research is timely, relevant and has a positive impact on society.

    Washington University in the United States offers a PhD in Information Systems which deals with the management of development, use, and impact of Information Systems and technologies in organisations. It is an interdisciplinary area, combining the study of information technologies and systems with other areas such as economics, operations research, decision theory, and psychology. Information systems have impact on all aspects of modern organisations - from providing solutions to current problems to new business models and opportunities. With the rapid growth and globalisation of businesses, information systems have taken on a more important role.

    Conclusion:
    The current qualification does not have any compulsory modules (coursework) as do the international qualifications but all have a thesis/dissertation component. The international qualifications are comparable in terms of scope of content, duration and the requirement of a research dissertation/thesis in order to complete the qualification. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification has both horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities. The qualification articulates horizontally with other cognate Doctoral or Doctor of Philosophy Degrees. Vertically this qualification articulates with post-doctoral study in related fields such as Accounting Systems, Financial Management Systems and Public Financial Management. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification will be moderated via a system of external peer review and evaluation. At least one internal supervisor/assessor and at least two external assessors will be appointed. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors assessing a learner in this qualification must be holding a relevant qualification at NQF Level 10 with research experience, teaching experience and publications in refereed academic journals. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of the Western Cape 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.