Establishing the Research Foundations for Successful Client-Server Computing: What Naturalistic Studies Could Contribute

Abstract

What is the nature of the process of implementing a new technology? How should the dynamics of implementing a new technology be studied? What research methods are best-suited to the study of complex issues of social and organizational impacts arising from the implementation of a new technology? Client-server computing represents a significant new technology that has not been a focus of research investigations. As companies pursue client-server technology as a replacement for legacy computing systems, there is a need to provide practitioners with grounded research that discover patterns of organizational and social dynamics that influence the successful outcome of a transition to this new technology. This article suggests that naturalistic research studies can formulate realistic business foundations for the successful implementation of client-server computing.

Observational studies of student errors in a distance learning environment using a remote recording and replay tool

“…The inclusion of questionnaires into this study was to collate and monitor information that the recorder was not designed to or would not be able to collect. Two questionnaires were created, a Pre-Study Questionnaire (Logan and Paine, 2000) designed to collect general demographic details about subjects, such as age, gender, occupation, current knowledge of computers, level of comfort carrying out various computer related tasks, as well as the specification of the computer they were using to study the M206 course, such as screen size and resolution, processor and speed and memory. This questionnaire was made available to students at the start of their studies.…”