Research Methods

Track Co-Chairs:

Ulrich Frank, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Germany – ulrich.frank@uni-due.de
Ann Majchrzak, University of Southern California, LA - majchrza@usc.edu

Description

Methods are at the core of scientific research. They provide guidelines for conducting research projects and for evaluating research results. Hence, they are essential for distinguishing scientific knowledge from the “dreams of a ghostviewer” (Kant). Different from the natural sciences, the choice of the appropriate research method is still a major challenge in IS. While the so-called positivist paradigm seems to dominate some IS research, a remarkable number of researchers and scholars do not feel comfortable with this paradigm. This dissatisfaction is accompanied by concerns about the usefulness of research results with respect to guiding decisions in practice (“rigour vs. relevance”). For other IS researchers, other conceptions of IS research can be found. They include hermeneutics, critical analysis, simulations, action research, and design science, to name a few. While these approaches promise certain benefits, they come with specific challenges, too. The current diversity in IS research can be regarded as an asset, since it offers the researcher a great variety to choose from and allows for looking at a research subject from different perspectives. However, at the same time, some may regard this lack of a common foundation as a burden. It also hinders international exchange and competition.

Against this background, the track is aimed at contributing to a better integration of different streams in IS research. It is intended to foster a debate on current conceptions of IS research as well as on new ideas for tailoring research methods. We welcome papers that contribute to this discourse. In addition to papers that target the construction and evaluation of research methods, we also appreciate contributions on epistemological and ontological aspects of IS research.

Research submitted to this track might discuss for example:

• The different roles and uses of theory in IS research
• The different roles and uses of practice in IS research
• How research methods may need to change for different contexts, different expected outcomes, different degress of observability and volatility, and different degress of complexity and diversity of perspectives among actors
• Conceptualisation and reconstruction of scientific progress in IS
• Potential and limits of any domineering research paradigm
• Configurational approaches to IS research
• Configuring multiple research methods in the same study
• Identifying ways for IS research to appreciate the different research paradigms
• Lessons from philosophy for IS research
• Identifying ways for IS research to appreciate the artistic, engineering, and clinical perspectives in addition to the scientific disciplinary perspective
• Overcoming the (alleged) conflict between rigour and relevance
• Justifying research results, be they from qualitative, quantitative or design viewpoints.
• The value for IS research of unifying research and teaching.