Choosing Appropriate Information Systems Research Methodologies

Collaborative Practice Research

“…Other theoretical contributions from the SPI project are based on subjective/argumentative approaches (Galliers 1991;Galliers and Land 1987). SPI is typically based on a rather narrow view of the systems development process, e.g., from the time a contract is signed until a software system is delivered, and the main concern is to improve processes within the software organization.…”

“…Turning to research approaches we find a multiplicity of general approaches to Information Systems research together with extensive discussions of their strengths and weaknesses (Boland and Hirschheim 1987;Cash et al 1989;Galliers 1991;Gallers and Land 1987;Lee, Liebenau, and DeGross 1997;McFarlan 1984;Mumford et al 1985;Nissen, Klein, and Hirschheim 1991). In addition, we find a more specialised discussion of approaches to systems development research (Basili and Weiss 1984;Basili, Selby, and Hutchens 1986;Cotterman and Senn 1992;Nunamaker, Chen and Purdin 1991;Wynekoop and Russo 1993).…”

“…This concern for research methodology has played a major role in maturing the discipline and has resulted in a rich discussion of different approaches (Boland and Hirschheim 1987;Cash et al 1989;Galliers 1991;Galliers and Land 1987;Lee, Liebenau, and DeGross 1997;McFarlan 1984;Mumford et al 1985;Nissen, Klein, and Hirschheim 1991). In our efforts to become a respected research discipline, we have also established an impressive portfolio of scientific journals and international conferences that serve as the primary media for publishing research findings.…”

“…Starting from research methods, or from the point of view of writing scientific papers, invites us to think in terms of choosing between different research methods (see, for example, Galliers 1991;Galliers and Land 1987). This viewpoint is extremely useful when one wants to understand the variety and the relative strengths and weaknesses of available research methods.…”

The reuse of machining knowledge to improve designer awareness through the configuration of knowledge libraries in PLM

“…It was necessary to apply a research approach to enable it to be structured and centred on reasoning and critical thought. This led the authors to select research methods that were in line with a scientific and inductive viewpoint to derive ideas and theory (Galliers 1991, Finch 1986). As Sarantakos (1993) and Easterby-Smith, Thorpe and Lowe (1991) point out, a qualitative focus for research work often lends itself to the use of mixed methods with small samples being investigated in depth over time.…”