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‘Paradigm wars’

‘Paradigm wars’. Paradigms reflect assumptions about knowledge and how it can be obtained what is valid research? which research methods are appropriate? Positivist: reality is objectively given and can be described by measurable properties independent of the researcher

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‘Paradigm wars’

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  1. ‘Paradigm wars’ • Paradigms reflect assumptions about knowledge and how it can be obtained • what is valid research? • which research methods are appropriate? • Positivist: reality is objectively given and can be described by measurable properties independent of the researcher • Formal propositions, hypothesis testing, generalising • Interpretivist: we can access reality through social constructions such as language, shared meanings • Rich descriptions of IS in context • Critical: social reality is historically constructed, thus the aim of research is emancipation

  2. Case studies • A research approach? (Yin) • “investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context,especially when the boundaries between the phenomenon and context are not clearly evident” (Yin 1994:13) • A method for data collection? (Galliers) • A unit of study & analysis? (Stake)

  3. Literature-based scrutiny Research themes Knowledge Literature Theory Insights Series of Conceptual frameworks Theoretical foundations Reflect Plan Analyse Collect data

  4. Plan • Plan the data collection: • What cases? • In what organisations? • Access? • Standard forms, interview protocol, equipment, recording data • Plan the analysis • What method of analysis • Forms, structure, software to help

  5. Access • To the case (organisation) • Case selection • Observation & document analysis • To the people • Participant selection • Access to their views & actions (interview & observation techniques) • “what it is to be rather than see a member of the organisation” • Participant’s opinions and stories, not analysis • Verify your understanding

  6. Collect data • Use the plan as a guide • Things will change in the field • Close interrelationship between collecting data and analysing it Analyse • Coding: concepts in the conceptual framework provide initial codes • ‘any other’ code to include unexpected outcomes • Ties the data analysis to the research themes

  7. Reflect • Deliberate and conscious thought about your research • What do these findings mean? • Implications for the conceptual framework? • Reflection either validates or revises and extends the conceptual framework • Keeps the researcher honest: • Look for disconfirming evidence • Look for alternative explanations • Review your research methods

  8. References • IS World at http://www.qual.auckland.ac.nz/ • D. Silverman, “Qualitative research: meanings or practice?,” Information Systems Journal, vol. 8, pp. 3-20, 1998. • W. J. Orlikowsky and J. J. Baroudi, “Studying information technology in organizations: research approaches and assumptions,” Information Systems Research, vol. 2, pp. 1-28, 1991. • K. M. Eisenhardt, “Building theories from case study research,” Academy of Management Review, vol. 14, pp. 532-550, 1989. • A. S. Lee, “Integrating positivist and interpretive approaches to organizational research,” Organization Science, vol. 2, pp. 342-365, 1991. • R. E. Stake, “Case studies,” in Handbook of Qualitative Research, N. K. Denzin and Y. S. Lincoln, Eds. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1994, pp. 236-247. • A. S. Lee, “A scientific methodology for MIS case studies,” MIS Quarterly, vol. 13, pp. 32-50, 1989. • H. K. Klein and M. D. Myers, “A set of principles for conducting and evaluating interpretive field studies in information systems,” MIS Quarterly Special Issue on Intensive Research,, 1998. • G. Walsham, “Interpretive case studies in IS research: nature and method,” European Journal of Information Systems, vol. 4, pp. 74-81, 1995. • R. K. Yin, Case study research: Design and methods. Beverly Hills, CA.: Sage, 1984. • E. G. Guba and Y. S. Lincoln, “Competing paradigms in qualitative research,” in Handbook of qualitative research, N. K. Denzin and Y. S. Lincoln, Eds. Thousand Oaks: Sage, 1994.

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