A PhD in Practice Methodologies, methods and socialisation Ian Martin Society and Information Research Group

Paradigms and methodologies PositivistInterpretivist MSc: Long hours work and stress for IT professionals PhD: Making space for computers in the business of banking ethnographic historical - objective reality - quantitative data [?] - test hypotheses - sample - social construct - qualitative data [?] - generate theory - setting

Ethnography Anthropology and ‘other’ cultures –going native –the part-time researcher Methodology and literature review chapter –justification for methodology –methods participant observation qualitative semi-structured interviews In IS research: practice ‘turn’ circa 2001 –mainstream credibility –know your discipline

The ‘historical method’ If ‘the past is a foreign country’ (Hartley, 1953) –then ethnography and the practice of history are closely related Historical method –primary sources –usually tacit but convention is to evidence in footnotes –oral histories, visual culture –draws on other disciplines e.g. sociology Objectivity and bias –a spectrum of views History of technology - my don’ts –internalism | technological determinism | presentism | teleology | Whigishness –know your discipline / local conventions

Structuration theory and social practice Structure is both the medium and the outcome of practice –Giddens (1984) –Theory used as a ‘sensitising device’ and a framework for organising empirical work Socialised introduction to the theory –Mentor and writing a joint paper –Weekly PhD seminars and reading groups –Inspiring article: ‘The chauffer problem’ (Borg, 1999) Fashion –‘It’s a bit naff’ –Remember the social