Analytical methods for IS professionals ISYS3015 Qualitative research methods Data collection

We’ve covered: What is qualitative research, What is qualitative research, Examples of qualitative research processes and methods Examples of qualitative research processes and methodsToday: Data collection methods: field research methods Data collection methods: field research methods Qualitative methodologies: action research Qualitative methodologies: action researchNext: Analysis of qualitative data (tomorrow’s lecture) Analysis of qualitative data (tomorrow’s lecture) Interviewing skills (tutorial wk 8) Interviewing skills (tutorial wk 8)

Qualitative Methods of Data collection Field Research methods Field Research methods –Participant observation /Ethnography –Rich pictures –Delphi –Case study

Field Research Methods An inquiry into real life situations An inquiry into real life situations Studying behaviour patterns and reasons for them Studying behaviour patterns and reasons for them Generally, but not always begins with some general notions or tentative hypothesis Generally, but not always begins with some general notions or tentative hypothesis Can be descriptive, exploratory or hypothesis testing Can be descriptive, exploratory or hypothesis testing Uses a variety of methods Uses a variety of methods comprehensive comprehensive

Participant observation/ ethnography Observes communication and interaction in an unstructured environment Observes communication and interaction in an unstructured environment Studies everyday life events, as they are experienced and understood by the participants Studies everyday life events, as they are experienced and understood by the participants Sees the reality constructed by the participants through their interaction and communication. Sees the reality constructed by the participants through their interaction and communication. Observes the natural environment of the participants without changing it. Observes the natural environment of the participants without changing it. The design is modified as observation is carried out The design is modified as observation is carried out

Rich Pictures A pictorial caricature of an organisation to help explain what the organisation is about A pictorial caricature of an organisation to help explain what the organisation is about Defines Defines –structure, –process, –Relationships –Contextual information – subjective and objective

Rich Pictures Root Definitions Root Definitions –who is doing –What –For whom –Who is acountable –What assumptions are being made –What is the environment CATWOE Actor Transformation Client Owner Weltanschanug – world view

Rich Pictures When the root definition is completed, Build a conceptual model Build a conceptual model –Design –Plans Compare the conceptual model with reality Compare the conceptual model with reality –Eg compare stakeholders views –Identify change

Delphi Experts offer information, judgements, predictions Experts offer information, judgements, predictions Researcher summarises the information Researcher summarises the information Offers the summary to the experts for comments and discussion Offers the summary to the experts for comments and discussion Differences and deviations are reduced iteratively through interview, discussion and consideration until something approaching consensus is reached Differences and deviations are reduced iteratively through interview, discussion and consideration until something approaching consensus is reached Can use interviews or or questionnaires Can use interviews or or questionnaires Was used in WW2for prediction Was used in WW2for prediction See the article available through the course web site Identifying software Project Risks See the article available through the course web site Identifying software Project Risks

Case Study Study of an example (case) of a social phenomenon to understand the phenomenon Study of an example (case) of a social phenomenon to understand the phenomenon –Eg a community, Can be seen as a data collection method or a research model dealing with all aspects of research. Can be seen as a data collection method or a research model dealing with all aspects of research. Used in quantitative research to gather information to help develop hypotheses, stands alone in qualitative research. Used in quantitative research to gather information to help develop hypotheses, stands alone in qualitative research.

What is Action Research? “Action Research is a form of research that generates knowledge claims for the express purpose of taking action to promote social change and social action” (Greenwood and Lewin, 1998) “Action Research is a form of research that generates knowledge claims for the express purpose of taking action to promote social change and social action” (Greenwood and Lewin, 1998) Action researchers believe that: Action researchers believe that: –Complex social systems and social situations cannot be reduced for meaningful study –Action research is a process of making sense and understanding complex interactions and systems AR refers to the conjunction of three elements: AR refers to the conjunction of three elements: –Research –Action –Participation

Action Research Spiral Diagnose PLAN REFLECT OBSERVE ACT PLAN REFLECT OBSERVE ACT CYCLE 1CYCLE 2 CYCLE 3

Understanding Action Research in the context of Information Systems AR is underpinned by the premise that researchers and participants are intervening in social systems. Draws upon general systems theory and therefore clearly of interest to IS researchers AR is underpinned by the premise that researchers and participants are intervening in social systems. Draws upon general systems theory and therefore clearly of interest to IS researchers Mumford’s work on ETHICS and Checkland’s work on the soft systems approach draw upon AR Mumford’s work on ETHICS and Checkland’s work on the soft systems approach draw upon AR Links also into the areas of organisational learning and managing systems change – specifically to theorising about practice Links also into the areas of organisational learning and managing systems change – specifically to theorising about practice

Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) Is a form of action research which aims at understanding problem situation in human activity systems Is a form of action research which aims at understanding problem situation in human activity systems Analysts are not objective outsiders - includes all actors (including the analyst (researcher) in exploring and understanding the problem situation Analysts are not objective outsiders - includes all actors (including the analyst (researcher) in exploring and understanding the problem situation The process is iterative The process is iterative Different to structured systems approaches Different to structured systems approaches

SSM Socio-techical systems Socio-techical systems –Hardware –Software –Techniques –People –Processes –information –reflection/review Modeling Modeling Peter Checkland Peter Checkland