Question

1. Explain why the philosophy of approach is an important aspect of the methodology of Information Systems research. 2. Using an example, discuss two rationales of the literature review and theoretical framework to a piece of Information Systems research. 3. Discuss, with an Information Systems research example, why analysing IS research is not about describing but about explaining. Discuss, with an Information Systems research example, the survey method and compare and contrast three types of sampling. 4.

Answer 1

Answer

Step : there are the following important aspect of methodology of information system research which are

Qualitative Approach:

The qualitative research approach often depends on the interpretive or critical paradigm within social sciences to help researchers to study social and cultural phenomena; it is the approach that represents collect data depends on the field or life situation such as experiences, values, and behaviors of other people  .The data in qualitative research come in form as words, phrases, sentences and narrations rather than numbers (non-numerical data) e.g. explanation, conversation, interviews and discussion, which makes the collected data of qualitative rich and holistic with strong potential for revealing complexity, through focusing on problems in their social and cultural environments.The qualitative approach method provides explanations to explore a particular phenomenon, theory building and capturing everyday life through data collection and analysis , which shifts the philosophical assumptions to appropriate research design and technique data.

Quantitative Approach :

The quantitative approach includes the interpretation of numeric data such as percentages, interval or ratio and using items of analysis such as graphs or diagrams to get perfect results . The quantitative approach can be described as an extreme of empiricism, which depends on control and explanation of the phenomenon. Quantitative research in the analysis of data depends on statistical principles, and this contrary to qualitative research, which is preferred when there is little researches into the phenomenon needs to be investigated to be more understood

Step :

Literature Review :

The literature review and conceptual and theoretical frameworks share five functions:

(a) to build a foundation,

(b) to demonstrate how a study advances knowledge,

(c) to conceptualize the study,

(d) to assess research design and instrumentation,

(e) to provide a reference point for interpretation of findings

example :Many research texts refer to doing a review of the literature in order to demonstrate a need for the research study. This need is articulated in the problem statement that uses the literature to support assertions and make the case that the purpose of the paper is important. The literature following the purpose is used to build a foundation for the important ideas in the problem statement and purpose.

Theoretical framework :

As a type of a manuscript, a theoretical framework synthesizes existing theories and related concepts and empirical research, to develop a foundation for new theory development. For example, Ng (2008), first, briefly discussed research on diversity practices and concluded that this research lacks a framework that can systematize and link factors promoting diversity in organizations and, particularly, CEOs’ commitment to diversity. Next, Ng (2008) proposes “a leadership-based theoretical framework for linking CEOs’ commitment to diversity practices in organizations” (p. 59). Then, Ng discusses and integrates literature on diversity into theories of leadership and organizational behavior. As the discussion progresses, five propositions are suggested and later incorporated into a figure that illustrates the proposed framework. The figure demonstrates how CEOs’ demographic characteristics (Proposition 1) and CEOs’ personal attributes (Propositions 2 to 4) relate to CEOs’ commitment to diversity, which in turn affects firm diversity practices (Proposition 5). The framework is further discussed in terms of its theoretical contributions and practical implications

Step :

‘Research’ is a term loosely used in everyday speech to describe a multitude of activities, such as collecting masses of information, delving into esoteric theories, and producing wonderful new products. It is important that a student or practitioner embarking on a programme of academic or practical research has a clear idea of what the word ‘research’ really means, and clears away any misconceptions which might exist owing to its common use in other fields. It is, therefore, worth looking at a few of the ways that the word is used in common language to describe activities, often called research, which are not research in its real meaning, and also at some of the emotive language that surrounds the term .

These are some of the ways in which the term ‘research’ is wrongly used:

1 As a mere gathering of facts or information

This usually means quickly reading through a few books or magazines to become better informed about something. Such information can be collected in other ways too, e.g. by asking people questions in the street or by recording the number of vehicles driving along a road. This kind of activity may more accurately be called ‘collection of information’, and can be carried out in a systematic and thorough way. It certainly can be seen as an important part of research.

2 Moving facts from one situation to another :

It is easy to collect information and reassemble it in a report or paper, duly annotated and referenced, and think of it as research. However, even if the work is meticulously carried out, and brings enlightenment about the subject to the author and the reader, one vital ingredient of the research process is missing – the interpretation of the information. One might call this form of activity ‘assembly of information’. This is, as with the collection of information, an important component of research, but not its entirety.

3 As an esoteric activity, far removed from practical life :

While many research projects deal with abstract and theoretical subjects, it is often forgotten that the activity of research has greatly influenced all aspects of our daily lives and created our understanding of the world. It is an activity which is prompted by our need to satisfy our natural curiosity and our wish to make sense of the world around us.

4 As a word to get your product noticed

Very often the term ‘research’ is used in an emotive fashion in order to impress and build confidence. If you ask for evidence of the research process and methodology, you are likely to be faced with incomprehension, muddled thinking, and possibly even worse: the product may be the outcome of mere guesswork!

Step :

Sampling :

Sampling is defined as the process of selecting certain members or a subset of the population to make statistical inferences from them and to estimate characteristics of the whole population. Sampling is widely used by researchers in market research so that they do not need to research the entire population to collect actionable insights. It is also a time-convenient and a cost-effective method and hence forms the basis of any research design.

For example, if a drug manufacturer would like to research the adverse side effects of a drug on the population of the country, it is close to impossible to be able to conduct a research study that involves everyone. In this case, the researcher decides a sample of people from each demographic and then conducts the research on them which gives them an indicative feedback on the behavior of the drug on the population.

Types of sampling : Any research study requires two essential types of sampling. They are:

1 Probability Sampling

2 Non-probability Sampling

Probability Sampling is a sampling technique in which sample from a larger population are chosen using a method based on the theory of probability. This sampling method considers every member of the population and forms samples on the basis of a fixed process. For example, in a population of 1000 members, each of these members will have 1/1000 chances of being selected to be a part of a sample. It gets rid of bias in the population and gives a fair chance to all members to be included in the sample.

Use of the Probability Sampling Method

There are multiple uses of the probability sampling method. They are:

• Reduce Sample Bias: Using the probability sampling method, the bias in the sample derived from a population is negligible to non-existent. The selection of the sample largely depicts the understanding and the inference of the researcher. Probability sampling leads to higher quality data collection as the population is appropriately represented by the sample.
• Diverse Population: When the population is large and diverse, it is important to have adequate representation so that the data is not skewed towards one demographic. For example, if Square would like to understand the people that could their point-of-sale devices, a survey conducted from a sample of people across US from different industries and socio-economic backgrounds, helps.
• Create an Accurate Sample: Probability sampling helps the researchers plan and create an accurate sample. This helps to obtain well-defined data.  
• Non-probability Sampling Methods The non-probability method is a sampling method that involves a collection of feedback on the basis of a researcher or statistician’s sample selection capabilities and not on a fixed selection process. In most situations, output of a survey conducted with a non-probable sample leads to skewed results, which may not totally represent the desired target population. But, there are situations such as the preliminary stages of research or where there are cost constraints for conducting research, where non-probability sampling will be much more effective than the other type

• Use of the Non-Probability Sampling Method

  There are multiple uses of the non-probability sampling method. They are:

• Create a hypothesis: The non-probability sampling method is used to create a hypothesis when limited to no prior information is available. This method helps with immediate return of data and helps to build a base for any further research.
• Exploratory research: This sampling technique is widely used when researchers aim at conducting qualitative research, pilot studies or exploratory research.
• Budget and time constraints: The non-probability method when there are budget and time constraints and some preliminary data has to be collected. Since the survey design is not rigid, it is easier to pick respondents at random and have them take the survey or questionnaire.