Qualitative Research in Information Systems: Time to be Subjective?

Abstract

The starting point of a researcher's methodological choice within information systems is not so much a problem of how many methods we employ or if those are of a quantitative or a qualitative nature, but the ability to identify the philosophical and theoretical assumptions which leads to the choice of the appropriate methodology. In practice, despite the recognition of the virtues and the role of qualitative methods in information systems research, explicit institutional barriers and implicit functionalistic assumptions within the field have prevented much progress in their application. Qualitative Research in Information Systemsoff as qualitative research. Using qualitative methods implies allowing and acknowledging the subjectivity of the research process, which should be looked upon as a strength rather than as a weakness.

Gestural and audio metaphors as a means of control for mobile devices

“…Each factor of usability should be investigated with the appropriate method [13]. These two studies strengthened the widely held belief (e.g., [6]), that qualitative and quantitative methods should not be seen contradictory, but that these methods usually complement each other. Here, the quantitative experiment provided accurate information how the user succeeded in effecting the application.…”

Conducting and Evaluating Critical Interpretive Research: Examining Criteria as a Key Component in Building a Research Tradition

“…More attention should be paid not only to multiple narratives that give voice to and allow the construction of multiple worlds, but also to the role of the researcher, of his or her understanding, insights, experiences, and interpretations (link with reflexivity). Multiple narratives will not give us any single representation but they may offer us more interesting ways to think about the organization (Garcia and Quek 1997). Table 6 summarizes ways of raising criticality and offers examples of how IS researchers have been triggering it.…”

The use of mobile systems to access health care big data in the Namibian environment

“…Subjectivism was employed in identifying the factors from the analysis. Garcia and Quek (1997) argue that subjectivism permits individual's understanding perspective of a situation. Bashir, Syed, and Qureshi (2017) suggest that subjective reasoning helps to provide conceivable answers in relation to phenomenon.…”