1. Analytical methods for IS professionals ISYS3015 What is qualitative research?

2. Today IS research and IS as research IS research and IS as research Comparison of qualitative and quantitative research Comparison of qualitative and quantitative research Conceptual frameworks, methodologies and methods Conceptual frameworks, methodologies and methods Positivist and interpretive research Positivist and interpretive research Features of qualitative research Features of qualitative research Qualitative research and IS Qualitative research and IS

3. Generalisations Theories Hypotheses Observations The Research Process

4. Practice: use of ideas, and evaluation Ideas (theories) about how IS would help an organisation Plans: (specific ideas) Requirements, designs The practice of Information Systems

5. QUALITATIVE Vs/& (?) QUANTITATIVE

6. What do we mean by “qualitative”? What do we mean by “qualitative”? Can a phenomenon have attributes which are both qualitative and quantitative? Can a phenomenon have attributes which are both qualitative and quantitative? Validity in Qualitative research Validity in Qualitative research

7. Conceptual Framework Methodology Methods Objectivist = meaning and reality exist apart from anybody being conscious of them Constructivist = meaning derives from our interaction with the world Subjectivist = meaning is imposed on an object by the subject Your plan, design, range of methods and why. The philosphical stance that underlies our chosen methodology – our assumptions What do we recognise as knowledge How do we know what we know? What is “true” Techniques Surveys Interviews observation

8. Contrasting positivist and interpretive approaches Positivist Reality is “real” – exists independent of human consciousness Reality is “real” – exists independent of human consciousness Human beings are rational creatures governed by social laws Human beings are rational creatures governed by social laws Science is based on strict rules based on universal causal laws Science is based on strict rules based on universal causal laws Science is value free Science is value freeInterpretive Reality is in the minds of people Reality is in the minds of people Human beings are actors who create social reality by assigning meaning systems to events Human beings are actors who create social reality by assigning meaning systems to events Science represents reality symbolically in a descriptive way Science represents reality symbolically in a descriptive way Science is not value free, value neutrality is neither necessary or possible Science is not value free, value neutrality is neither necessary or possible

9. Contrasting positivist and interpretive approaches Positivist Controlled setting for research Controlled setting for research Subject is an object in the research Subject is an object in the research Research design fixed Research design fixed Researcher ‘outside’ Researcher ‘outside’ Emphasis on reliability Emphasis on reliabilityInterpretive Complex, real world setting for research Complex, real world setting for research Subject is a participant in the research process Subject is a participant in the research process Research design evolving Research design evolving Researcher ‘inside’ Researcher ‘inside’ Emphasis on validity Emphasis on validity

10. Features of qualitative research

11. Some qualitative methodologies Hermeneutics – gaining understanding through analysing and interpreting texts Content analysis is a form of this Ethnography – detailed description rather than explanation, study of whole cultures as systems from the informants point of view Grounded theory – derives theories from observational data, emphasises systematic coding, achieving validity and reliability; combines qualitative and quantitative methods Action research – applying fact finding to practical problem solving in a social situation with a view to improving the quality of action within it; involves collaboration of researchers and practitioners. Soft Systems Methodology – a form of action research important for IS development.

12. Uses of qualitative research in IS Information systems are embedded in and reflect social systems: cultures, organisations, teams. Combined with quantitative methodologies, qualitative research gives us rich tools for understanding the contexts in which we work, for communicating and for creating new oppportunities for organisations