The write-up of an interpretive case study Line Dubé, Ph.D. École des sciences de la gestion Université du Québec à Montréal

Similarities between a positivist case study and an interpretive one Both are interested in gaining insights to the “how” and “why” of a phenomenon Both are conducted in natural settings Both use many data collection techniques No control or manipulation of variables are attempted

The premises of the interpretive perspective: The world is subjectively and socially constructed The researcher cannot be a neutral by-stander, but is part of the research, influences and is influenced by the actors

The intent of the interpretive perspective: To understand the deeper structure of a phenomenon (Orlikowski & Baroudi, 1991) will look at the “human side” or “social aspects” of information systems will try to capture how participants interpret their world

The research objectives of the interpretive perspective: Understanding is ultimately useful Social phenomena have a contextual and emergent nature generalization is not sought; usually only one site (no logic of replications) “thick” descriptions of one site (Geertz, 1973) instead of trying to identify generalizations across sites

The design of an interpretive case study no imposition of externally defined categories on a phenomenon; constructs are derived from an in-depth examination of and exposure to the phenomenon (Orlikowski & Baroudi, 1991) will generally not make use of questionnaire, frequencies and nonparametric statistics to support conclusions

Three groups are involved... Researcher Reader Participant(s)

« Contribution to knowledge » The Objective: QUALITY??? « Contribution to knowledge » (Straub, Ang, Evaristo, 1994)

ADOPT A PHILOSOPHICAL STANCE AND SELECT THE RIGHT RESEARCH METHOD

Conducting an interpretive case study does mean: Adopt the philosophical stance you’re comfortable as a researcher and that is appropriate to your object of research State clearly your philosophical stance Establish first-hand your perspectives, beliefs, and biases Be consistent does not mean: that you have to chose your philosophical stance based on what side of the Atlantic ocean you are (as discussed by Galliers, 1991) ethic calls for ethnographers to substantiate their interpretations and findings with a reflexive account of themselves and the processes of their research

BE CLEAR ABOUT YOUR CONCEPTUAL GUIDANCE

Doing an interpretive case study does mean: that you have clearly stated your research question even if it is rather large that you have a sensible theoretical basis even if you “preserve a high degree of openness to the field data and a willingness to modify initial assumptions and theories” (Walsham, 1995)

Doing an interpretive case study does mean: that you have covered the relevant literature that you have defined the boundaries of your study (even if you have no framework, no variables, no hypotheses)

GIVE A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTEXT OF DATA COLLECTION AND THE TECHNIQUES USED

Doing an interpretive case study does mean: that the details of your relationship with the site must be explicit (participant observer, action researcher, etc.) that the details of how the data was collected (field interviews and other data) must be explicit that the data collection details must be included (reasons for site choice, number of people interviewed, professional positions, time frame, etc.) (Walsham, 1995) Explicit awareness

GIVE A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA ANALYSIS PROCESS

The data analysis process is a highly iterative process ... DATA ANALYSIS makes interpretations looks for data to confirm or disconfirm interpretations The data analysis process is a highly iterative process

Doing an interpretive case study does mean: Use well recognized methods such as Glaser & Strauss (1967) or Spradley (1980) Interpretations derive from data from multiple sources add rigor, breath and depth to the investigation Report what the researcher sees and experiences directly The article must convince the reader that the conclusions come from the data and are logical

WRITE A VIVID STORY

Doing an interpretive case study does mean: understanding context is important for intelligibility and comprehension extract for the reader the most interesting and meaningful data select quotes or events that support the points you are trying to make and your conclusions report the multiplicity of meanings and perspectives

LINK CONCLUSIONS TO ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE TO SHOW CONTRIBUTION

Doing an interpretive case study does mean: Thoughtful reflection will lead to rich insights and the development of concepts, generation of theory and drawing of specific implications (Walsham, 1995) Conclusions must show how they enrich the state-of-the-art in a particular area Rich descriptions must show how they pave the way to further research

When writing an interpretive case study: ADOPT A PHILOSOPHICAL STANCE AND SELECT THE RIGHT RESEARCH METHOD GIVE A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTEXT OF DATA COLLECTION BE CLEAR ABOUT YOUR CONCEPTUAL GUIDANCE

When writing an interpretive case study: GIVE A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA ANALYSIS PROCESS LINK CONCLUSIONS TO ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE TO SHOW CONTRIBUTION WRITE A VIVID STORY

Examples of good interpretive studies in IS Lee, A.S. (1994). Electronic Mail as a Medium for Rich Communication: An Empirical Investigation Using Hermeneutic Interpretation. MIS Quarterly, 18(2), 143-157. Orlikowski, W. J. (1993). CASE Tools as Organizational Change: Investigating Incremental and Radical Changes in Systems Development. Management Information Systems Quarterly, 17(3), 309-340.

ISWorld Qualitative Research web site http://www.auckland.ac.nz/msis/isworld/

Five Difficult Questions Jennifer Mason, Qualitative Researching, Sage 1996. 1. What is the nature of the social reality I wish to investigate? (ontology) 2. What counts as evidence? (epistemology) 3. What topic is the research concerned with? 4. What are my research questions? 5. What is the purpose of my research?

Drastically Different Methods Positivist seeks objective indicators to produce an accurate, rich account of reality triangulation among multiple sources of data fact-finding interviews Interpretivist seeks subjective experience to produce a convincing account of multiple realities low profile: “fly on the wall” open ended interviews self-evaluation

Prospects for Integrating Positivism and Interpretivism: Positivist can stimulate interpretive Gaps in knowledge left by positivist studies Representation of multiple voices Interpretive can serve positivist Exploratory “front end” Rich, detailed accounts of constructs

Pointers in Qualitative Case Research: Rhetorical Strategy Identify relevant gaps in knowledge. Identify interesting “intellectual puzzles.” Identify significant practical issues. Do not “bash” the opposing epistemological camp. Do not assert the superiority of your assumptions.

Pointers in Qualitative Case Research: Answering Difficult Questions 1. State your research questions. 2. State and justify your ontological and epistemological assumptions. 3. Present your method as a coherent strategy for answering your research questions. 4. Produce the “chain of evidence.” 5. Show how your findings fulfill the purpose of your research.

Pointers in Doing Case Research Ramiro Montealegre University of Colorado, Boulder