CIS 816

CIS 930

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Fall 1997

 

Professor Daniel Robey Office Hours: by appointment only.

Office: BA 938 Class Meetings: 1235-1450, MW in CBA room 405.

Phone: 404-651-2086 (Savannah Room)

Fax: 404-651-3842

Email: drobey@gsu.edu

Home page: http://www.cis.gsu.edu/~drobey/index.html

 

Objective:

This course is designed as an introductory seminar on qualitative research as it is used in the field of information systems. The course balances the acquisition of basic knowledge about the conduct of qualitative research with the application of that knowledge to research on information systems. The balance is reflected in the reading material, which consists of basic texts and advanced research from journals in information systems. This course develops skills in designing, evaluating, and understanding qualitative research methods. Students will also acquire skills in developing research proposals, making and justifying methodological choices, writing qualitative research reports, and understanding how to publish qualitative research in information systems.

 

Texts and Resources:

  1. Golden-Biddle, Karen and Locke, Karen D. Composing Qualitative Research, Sage, 1997.
  2. Mason, Jennifer. Qualitative Researching, Sage, 1996.
  3. Miles, Matthew B. and Huberman, A. Michael. Qualitative Data Analysis, 2nd ed., Sage, 1994.
  4. Schwandt, Thomas A. Qualitative Inquiry: A Dictionary of Terms, Sage, 1997.
  5. Myers, Michael D. "Qualitative Research in Information Systems," ISWorld Net. http://www.auckland.ac.nz/msis/isworld/

 

Evaluation:

Students are evaluated on their participation in class, their performance on a take-home exam, and a written review of a paper to be assigned. Performance on these three criteria is weighted equally toward the final grade.

Module I: Science, Research and The IS Field

 

1. 9/22 Introduction to the Course

2. 9/24 Scientific Communities, Paradigms, and Paradigm Shifts

  1. Kuhn, Thomas S., "Second Thoughts on Paradigms," in T.S. Kuhn, The Essential Tension: Selected Studies in Scientific Tradition and Change, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1977, 293-319.
  2. Pencil, Murdock, "Salt Passage Research: The State of the Art," Journal of Communication, 26 (1976), 31-36.
  3. Woodman, Richard W., "A Devil's Dictionary of Behavioral Science Research Terms," Academy of Management Review, 4 (1979), 93-94.
  4. Daft, Richard and Arie Y. Lewin, "Can Organization Studies Begin to Break Out of the Normal Science Straitjacket? An Editorial Essay," Organization Science, 1 (1990), 1-9.
  5. Morgan, Gareth, "Paradigms, Metaphors, and Puzzle Solving in Organization Theory," Administrative Science Quarterly, 25 (1980), 605-622.
  6. Deetz, Stanley, "Describing Differences in Approaches to Organization Science: Rethinking Burrell and Morgan and Their Legacy," Organization Science, 7 (1996), 191-207.
  7. Weick, Karl E., "Drop Your Tools: An Allegory for Organizational Studies," Administrative Science Quarterly, 41 (1996), 301-313.

 

3. 9/29 The Evolution of IS Research

  1. Keen, Peter G.W., "MIS Research: Reference Disciplines and a Cumulative Tradition," Proceedings of the First Conference on Information Systems, 1980, 9-18.
  2. Jenkins, A. Milton, "Research Methodologies and MIS Research," in E. Mumford et al., Research Methods in Information Systems, Amsterdam: North-Holland, 1985, 103-117.
  3. Banville, Claude and Maurice Landry, "Can the Field of MIS be Disciplined?" Communications of the ACM, 32 (1989), 48-60.
  4. Orlikowski, Wanda J., and Jack J. Baroudi. "Studying Information Technology in Organizations: Research Approaches and Assumptions," Information Systems Research, 2 (1991), 1-28.
  5. Walsham, Geoff, "The Emergence of Interpretivism in IS Research," Information Systems Research, 4 (1995), 376-394.
  6. King, John Leslie, "Editorial Notes," Information Systems Research, 4 (1993), 291-298.
  7. Swanson, E. Burton and Neil C. Ramiller, "Information Systems Research Thematics: Submissions to a New Journal, 1987-1992," Information Systems Research, 4 (1993), 299-330.

 

4. 10/1 Diversity and Responsibility in IS Research

  1. Benbasat, Izak and Ron Weber, "Rethinking 'Diversity' in Information Systems Research," Information Systems Research 7 (1996), 389-399.
  2. Robey, Daniel, "Diversity in Information Systems Research: Threat, Promise, and Responsibility," Information Systems Research 7 (1996), 400-408.
  3. Lee, Allen S., "Integrating Positivist and Interpretive Approaches to Organizational Research," Organization Science, 2 (1991), 342-365.
  4. Weick, Karl E., "Theoretical Assumptions and Research Methodology Selections," in F.W. McFarlan, The Information Systems Challenge, Harvard Business School, 1984, 111-132.
  5. Klein, Heinz K. and Michael D. Myers, "The Evaluation of Interpretive Research in Information Systems." working paper, 1997.
  6. Lee, Allen S., "Researching MIS," in R. D. Galliers and W. L. Currie, Re-Thinking MIS, Oxford University Press, 1997. http://users.aol.com/allenslee/researching.htm#beginning

Module II: Designing Qualitative Research

 

5. 10/6 Varieties of Qualitative Research

  1. Morgan, Gareth, and Linda Smircich. "The Case for Qualitative Research," Academy of Management Review, 5 (1980), 491-500.
  2. Mason, Qualitative Researching, Chs. 1-2.
  3. Miles and Huberman, Qualitative Data Analysis, Chs. 1-3.

6. 10/8 Varieties of Qualitative Data

  1. Mason, Qualitative Researching, Chs. 3-5.
  2. Meyer, Alan D., "Visual Data in Organizational Research," Organization Science, 2 (1991), 218-236.
  3. Webb, Eugene and Karl E. Weick, "Unobtrusive Measures in Organizational Theory: A Reminder," Administrative Science Quarterly, 24 (1979), 650-659.
  4. Barley, Stephen R., "Images of Imaging: Notes on Doing Longitudinal Field Work," Organization Science, 1 (1990), 220-245.
  5. Pentland, Brian T., "Organizing Moves: Software Support Hot Lines," Administrative Science Quarterly, 37 (1992), 527-548.

 

7. 10/13 Case Study Research

  1. Yin, Robert K., "The Case Study Crisis: Some Answers," Administrative Science Quarterly, 26, (1981), 58-65.
  2. Eisenhardt, Kathleen M., "Building Theories from Case Study Research," Academy of Management Review, 14 (1988), 532-550.
  3. Dyer, Jr., W. Gibb, and Alan L. Wilkins, "Better Stories, Not Better Constructs, To Generate Better Theory: A Rejoinder to Eisenhardt," Academy of Management Review, 16 (1991), 613-619.
  4. Eisenhardt, Kathleen M., "Better Stories and Better Constructs: The Case for Rigor and Comparative Logic," Academy of Management Review, 16 (1991), 620-627.
  5. Lee, Allen S., "A Scientific Methodology for MIS Case Studies," MIS Quarterly, 13 (1989), 33-50.
  6. Leonard-Barton, Dorothy, "A Dual Methodology for Case Studies: Synergistic use of Longitudinal Single Site With Replicated Multiple Sites," Organization Science, 1 (1990), 248-266.
  7. Paré, Guy and Joyce J. Elam, "Using Case Study Research to Build Theories of Implementation," in A.S. Lee, J.Leibenau, and J.I. DeGross, Information Systems and Qualitative Research, London: Chapman & Hall, 1997, 542-568.

 

8. 10/15 Ethnography

  1. Prasad, Pushkala, "Systems of Meaning: Ethnography as a Methodology for the Study of Information Technologies," in A.S. Lee, J.Leibenau, and J.I. DeGross, Information Systems and Qualitative Research, London: Chapman & Hall, 1997, 101-118.
  2. Orlikowski, Wanda J. "Integrated Information Environment or Matrix of Control? The Contradictory Implications of Information Technology," Accounting, Management and Information Technologies, 1 (1991), 9-42.
  3. Prasad, Pushkala, "Symbolic Processes in the Implementation of Technological Change: A Symbolic Interactionist Study of Work Computerization," Academy of Management Journal, 36 (1993), 1400-1429.
  4. Ruhleder, Karen, Brigitte Jordan, and Michael B. Elmes, "Wiring the 'New Organization': Integrating Collaborative Technologies and Team-Based Work," paper presented to the Academy of Management, 1996. http://alexia.lis.uiuc.edu/~ruhleder/publications/96.academy.html

 

9. 10/20 Action Research - Guest: Richard Baskerville

  1. Lau, Francis, "A Review on the Use of Action Research in Information Systems Studies," in A.S. Lee, J.Leibenau, and J.I. DeGross, Information Systems and Qualitative Research, London: Chapman & Hall, 1997, 31-68.
  2. Baskerville, Richard L. and Trevor Wood-Harper, "A Critical Perspective on Action Research as a Method for Information Systems Research," Journal of Information Technology.
  3. Baskerville, Richard L., tba.
  4. Bostrom, Robert P., "Successful Application of Communication Techniques to Improve the Systems Development Process," Information & Management, 16, (1989), 279-295.
  5. Baskerville, Richard L. and Jan Stage, "Controlling Prototype Development Through Risk Analysis," MIS Quarterly, 20, 4 (1996), 481-504.

 

 

Module III: Analyzing Qualitative Data

 

10. 10/22 Coding Qualitative Data

  1. Mason, Qualitative Researching, Chs. 6-8
  2. Miles and Huberman, Qualitative Data Analysis, Ch. 4, Appendix.
  3. Strauss, Anselm and Juliet Corbin, Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques, Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, 1990, Ch. tba
  4. Rouse, Anne and Martin Dick, "The Use of NUDIST, a Computerized Analytical Tool, to Support Qualitative Information Systems Research," Information Technology & People, 7 (1994), 50-62.

 

11. 10/27 Within-Case Analysis

  1. Miles and Huberman, Qualitative Data Analysis, Chs. 5-6.
  2. Orlikowski, Wanda J., "Improvising Organizational Transformation Over Time: A Situated Change Perspective," Information Systems Research, 7 (1996), 63-92.
  3. Robey, Daniel and Michael Newman, "Sequential Patterns in Information Systems Development: An Application of a Social Process Model," ACM Transactions on Information Systems, 14 (1996), 30-63.

 

12. 10/29 Across-Case Analysis

  1. Miles and Huberman, Qualitative Data Analysis, Chs. 7-9.
  2. Sahay, Sundeep and Daniel Robey, "Organizational Context, Social Interpretation, and the Implementation and Consequences of Geographic Information Systems," Accounting, Management and information Technologies, 6 (1996), 255-282.
  3. Kirsch, Laurie J. and Cynthia M. Beath, "The Enactments and Consequences of Token, Shared, and Compliant Participation in Information Systems Development," Accounting, Management and information Technologies, 6 (1996), 221-254.
  4. Orlikowski, Wanda J., "CASE Tools as Organizational Change: Investigating Incremental and Radical Changes in Systems Development," MIS Quarterly, 17 (1993), 309-340. http://www.misq.org/archivist/vol/no17/issue3/vol17n3art5wandao.html

 

13. 11/3 Analyzing Narratives - Guest: Duane Truex

  1. Lacity, Mary C. and Marius A. Janson, "Understanding Qualitative Data: A Framework of Text Analysis Methods," Journal of Management information Systems, 11 (1994), 137-155.
  2. Davidson, Elizabeth J., "Examining Project history Narratives: An Analytic Approach," in A.S. Lee, J.Leibenau, and J.I. DeGross, Information Systems and Qualitative Research, London: Chapman & Hall, 1997, 123-148.
  3. Wynn, Eleanor and David G. Novick, "Relevance Conventions and Problem Boundaries in Work Redesign Teams," Information Technology & People, 9 (1996), 61-80.
  4. Lee, Allen S. "Electronic Mail as a Medium for Rich Communication: An Empirical Investigation Using Hermeneutic interpretation," MIS Quarterly, 18 (1994), 143-157.
  5. Beath, Cynthia M. and Wanda J. Orlikowski, "The Contradictory Structure of Systems Development Methodologies: Deconstructing the IS-User Relationship in Information Engineering," Information Systems Research, 5 (1994), 350-377.

 

14. 11/5 Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Research

  1. Gable, Guy G., "Integrating Case Study and Survey Research Methods: An Example in Information Systems," European Journal of Information Systems, 3 (1994), 112-126.
  2. Kaplan, Bonnie and Dennis Duchon. "Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Information Systems Research," MIS Quarterly, 12 (1988), 571-586.
  3. Brown, Carol V., "Examining the Emergence of Hybrid IS Governance Solutions: Evidence from a Singe Case Site," Information Systems Research, 8 (1997), 69-94.
  4. Keil, Mark and Daniel Robey, "Turning Runaway Software Projects Around: The De- Escalation of Commitment to Failing Courses of Action," paper to be presented to the International Conference on Information Systems, 1997.

 

 

Module IV: Writing and Publishing Qualitative Research in IS

 

15. 11/10 Composing Qualitative Research

  1. Golden-Biddle and Locke, Composing Qualitative Research.
  2. Miles and Huberman, Qualitative Data Analysis, Chs. 10-13.

 

16. 11/12 Writing and Collaborating

  1. Van Maanen, John, "Some Notes on the Importance of Writing in Organization Studies," in J.I. Cash and P. Lawrence, The Information Systems Research Challenge: Qualitative Research Methods, Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Research Colloquium, 1989, 27-33.
  2. Robey, Daniel, "Robey's Rules of Riting," 1992.
  3. Robey, Daniel, "Principles of Collaboration," 1995.
  4. Woolsey, Lorette K., "Egomania Rageosis: A Proposed New Syndrome for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (V), Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 28 (1987), 338-341.
  5. Floyd, Steven W., Dean M. Schroeder, and Dale M. Finn, "'Only If I'm First Author': Conflict Over Credit in Management Scholarship," Academy of Management Journal, 37 (1994), 734-747.
  6. Robey, Daniel. "A Note on the Order of Authorship," 1997.

 

 

17. 11/17 Publishing in IS - Guest: Detmar Straub

  1. Straub, Detmar W., Soon Ang, and Roberto Evaristo, "Normative Standards for MIS Research," Data Base, 25 (1994), 21-34.
  2. Sutton, Robert I., "The Virtues of Closet Qualitative Research," Organization Science, 8 (1997), 97-106.
  3. "Dear Editor," unpublished letter, undated.
  4. "Target Journals," Department of Computer Information Systems, Georgia State University, 1996.
  5. Saunders, Carol, "Journal Information." http://csrc.lse.ac.uk/iswnet/profact/journal.htm

 

18. 11/19 Reviewing Qualitative Research in IS

  1. Lee, Allen S. "Reviewing a Manuscript for Publication," Journal of Operations Management, 13 (1995), 87-92. http://www.management.mcgill.ca/homepage/Leean/Referee.htm

 

19. 11/24 Course Recap and Summary