Information Systems Dissertation

Logbook 7

05/02/09 to 12/03/09

• Completed first draft dissertation
• Recieved feedback from tutor
• Noted doen the key points regarding what is missing and what needs changing

After the above:

• Ammended first draft
• Included references from prior and new research
• Typed up the reference section using the correct formats
• Rewrote Introduction and conclusion

To do:

• Meet with tutor to recieve feedback on second draft

Logbook 6

10/12/08 to 05/02/09

Tasks

I have begun writing my draft dissertation. Prior to starting I thoroughly read through all my research to generate a strong understanding of online credit card fraud. I then allocated estiated word loads for each chapter in order to ensure I stick within the word limit. So far I have found that my chapters could be extended slightly perhaps when I go back over the dissertation and give a more analytical review of the research whilst trying to avoid being to descriptive.

I am half way through and plan to have my draft ready within a week for a review and feedback from my tutor.

I have learned some interesting things about cnp fraud and each day I seem to find a new news article online about the sophisiticated exploits of “creative” fraudsters/hackers!

I was suprised at the lack of responsibility that customers have and they seem to be able to claim chargebacks most of the time whereas merchants have to clean up the costs.

Tomorrow I will be writing about prevention methods, techniques, best practices which I believe will make up a large chunk of the content.

Overall, lots of progress made during the past week.

Logbook 5

17/11/08 to 10/12/08

Tasks

During this time I have begun reading my research and identified interesting topic areas I will include in my dissertation. Rather than just be descriptive of fraud I want to talk about morals, the trust issue, site reputations etc. On 10/12/08 I attended a very useful review session where I had the opportunity to see the work of other students and share methods and ideas with them. I got some very useful tips from the session. Here is a summary of what I learned:

· Assign a word count to each section (chapter & sub chapter)

· Credit card is just a tool for the transaction; the issue is down to the trust between buyer and seller

· Don’t just be descriptive about fraud, make it interesting.

· Dissertation needs to be an argument not just a bland description

· Have 3 main questions you aim to answer. Reader must find answer to these questions. E.g. has consumer attitude changed due to an increase in fraud?

· Have a draft done for the 1^st March…Aim for 1-2000 words per week.

· Write down sections as you go along. If you find a good source write down a summary.

· Break aims and objectives down. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss/analyse/review.

· In your mind have a mental image of what you want.

· Pre-empt the reader’s criticisms.

· Summarise areas of research and write paragraphs on each in own words.

· May be areas you do not have time to go into. Mention them but explain why you want go into them, however make the reader aware.

· QUOTE only when there is a definition to be answered. Use sparingly. IT IS YOUR ARGUMENT SO THERE IS NO NEED TO GO QUOTING ALL THE TIME.

· Do not just rewrite research in your own words, digest it and use it to answer your own questions in your own way.

· CONCLUSION: When you come to one back up argument with evidence. Give it validity. Convince the reader conclusion has backing, use quotes and references.

· OVERALL, research the topic as whole and specific pocket areas to make the dissertation interesting and have questions that you will answer to the reader. Do not just be descriptive.

Aims

I aim to have some more questions addressed that I will look to answer in the chapters. I will perhaps break them down more and make them interesting not just descriptive. I will then begin to draft when I have my specified chapters with word counts as I believe I have enough research collected.

Logbook 4

06/11/08 to 17/11/08

Tasks

I researched a huge range of sources and gathered information related to online credit card fraud. I then printed this information, read it thoroughly, took notes and organised it into a labelled folder. The research is organised into the main sections: Types, Prevention, Legislation, Figures, Real Life Case Studies, Consumer thoughts/experience, Effect on e-business, News Articles. The research comes from a variety of sources: Google searches linking me to official fraud prevention sites such as Get safe online, cardsafe.org, shopsafeonline.org and many more stores in my bookmarks. Other sources include newspaper articles found using the Nexis service provided by UWE, online journals and past reports within by topic area. From this research I managed to create a list of questions I will aim to answer in my dissertation. These questions will ultimately be my chapters, once I have filtered the research.

Aims

I aim to define my chapter structure before the next meeting with my tutor (20/11/08) and present some of the research I have conducted. Hopefully then I can clarify the direction I want to take with my dissertation and begin drafting the chapters. I will also continue my research, specifically looking out for up to date articles due to the fast changing state of online card fraud. I also want to check with my tutor whether methodology of research, glossary and acronyms are necessary.

Information Systems Dissertation: Progression/Research Notes 17/11/08

Types of fraud: Skimming, Phishing, Trojans

Bank safe online has examples of fraudulent emails for most banks

Glossary of terms to be included in the dissertation? – E.g. CNP (Card Not Present)

Get safe online blog – Updated facts and figures

ISISaccreditation.imrg.org – Become an accredited retailer

Millersmiles.co.uk – Archive of phishing and identity theft email scams

Spam (spam information)

Home office (crimereduction.gov.uk)

Writing Dissertation

Compare sources/peoples arguments to see where they differ & where they agree. If you need to go to a 3^rd source to see where the evidence is stacking up then do so.

Possible conclusion: Will it be overcome? Will it always be a side issue? Maybe no decision either wayàstate that more research is necessary. Don’t force a yes or no.

Chapter on legislation: At beginning as part of the introduction.

Chapters/questions to be asked

How successful are scams?

Who are scams reported to and how are they reported?

What are the types of online fraud?

How to prevent online fraud, prevention strategy, authentication services, 3^rd party solutions.

How affective are prevention techniques?

Legislation behind online fraud/internet crime – Fraud bill

Glossary of terms.

How much is current online UK banking fraud losses?

Is it safe to continue to use online banking?

Acronyms – ask tutor

Research methodology – Is it necessary?

Victims – Case Studies, perhaps for each different frauds, to back up research, use headlines and description of stories.

Can fraud be controlled and how?

Information on fraud offenders – Morals, history, sources

Approaches to improve fraud reporting àWhere to report

Impact on online businesses – Effects on business

Online credit card fraud against small businesses

The cost of fraud: Financial loss, loss of goodwill, administrative costs, staff costs, fines, lost sales

Best practice for merchants

Web merchants and the cost of fraud

Consumer attitude towards internet safety

Fraud process – Picture story

How do fraudsters obtain the data to commit fraud?

Figures from various sources on loss, rates, increase, location etc – As up to date as possible

Is online credit card fraud a significant problem & are there ways to prevent it?

Is it a restriction to using cards online?

Does it restrict consumers from shopping online & how does it affect e-businesses?

Logbook 3

23/10/08 to 6/11/08

Tasks

I met with my tutor to discuss the draft and formal proposal. We discussed what needs to be changed and what was already good. We identified more specific goals to work towards, focusing on particular areas and results of credit card fraud rather than trying to touch upon every aspect of it. I discovered that the dissertation must be based solely on research with good evidence and that it is not the role of the student to make a decision or give their opinion but only to present what information they have researched. I made my questions more probing rather than closed and anticipate that I will find lots of information when I begin my research next week. My formal proposal was signed and handed in on 6/11 which was deadline day. Now I know what direction my dissertation is going in I can begin some intensive research.

Aims

I will begin researching from a variety of sources via Google and the uwe library. I will save these sources, print them and place them into the relevant chapters of my dissertation. This will help me clarify these chapters so once I have completed the data gathering process I can begin to write up in my own words what my findings are. I also aim to meet with my tutor Glyn Watkins every other Thursday. Prior to our meetings I will be sending a logbook of what I have been doing during the past 2 weeks.

Logbook 2

13/10/08 to 23/10/08

Tasks

I have been assigned my tutor who is Glyn Watkins. I have arranged a meeting for Thursday 30^th October 08 where I aim to discuss my dissertation topic and chosen chapters. Hopefully I can then clarify the chapters for my dissertation perhaps by removing some and adding new ones.

For my research I have been reading news articles on victims of fraud and on fraudsters that have been caught. Also how fraudsters get away most of the time and a change in the law has not helped victims. I researched the technologies and various methods used also looking towards the future and new unique ideas fraudsters are coming up with. I spoke to victims of fraud and found that they have little knowledge of how or why they were robbed.

Aims

I aim to have a successful meeting with my tutor where we can produce a list of set chapters on my dissertation so i begin to write up a draft. I will increase the research I have gathered so far by researching some more sources. Due to the vast information available on online fraud I want to breakdown the dissertation into the most important areas and perhaps only use the more up to date reliable sources which will require me to do some information organisation.

Logbook 1

06/10/08 to 13/10/08

Tasks

Researched potential topics I have an interest in. Read previous titles and dissertations students had done in the past. Researched articles relevant to internet fraud to define what area I would study and write about for the dissertation. Researched how to reference effectively and performed some Harvard referencing. Completed outline proposal where I specified a working title, questions that I will explore in the dissertation and began writing down a list of chapters that I would like to include.

Aims

I aim to begin defining my title and chapters, gaining a clear view on the areas I will research and write about in great detail. I will make sure I record all references to be cited later in my dissertation. I hope to receive feedback from my tutor in order to confirm that my subject of choice is valid and will then produce my final proposal. During this period I will also be reading materials from a variety of sources related to internet fraud.

Once I have clarified with my tutor what my dissertation will be on I will draw up a strict plan that I will adhere to each week to ensure I am getting the minimum 6 hours of study time and therefore will be on course to produce a good dissertation on time.