Date post: | 23-Dec-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | jonathan-scott |
View: | 217 times |
Download: | 0 times |
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 1
Introduction to: Interpretive research
grounded theorycase study
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 2
Interpretive research
Assumption: access to reality (given or socially constructed) is only through social constructions such as language, consciousness and shared meanings
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 3
Interpretive research
Interpretive studies generally attempt to understand phenomena through the meanings that people assign to them
Interpretive research does not predefine dependent and independent variables, but focuses on the full complexity of human sense making as the situation emerges
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 4
Interpretive research in IS
interpretive methods of research in IS are "aimed at producing an understanding of the context of the information system, and the process whereby the information system influences and is influenced by the context" (Walsham)
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 5
Interpetive research: use of theory
Initial guide to design and data collection Initial theoretical framework Sensibility to data Danger of not-seeing
Part of an iterative process of data collection and analysis Being open to field data Modify initial assumptions and theories
A final product of the research Concepts Conceptual framework
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 6
Interpretive research: empirical work
Access to other people’s interpretations Own role as researcher
Outside observer – not direct involvement Involved researcher (action r, participant obs.)
Evidence: interview as primary data source Styles of interview Reporting media
Reporting fieldwork Credibility: document your process of data collection Importance of details (research site, motivation for
choices, num of people, data sources, ... and theory-data iterations)
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 7
Types of generalizations from interpretive case study (Walsham)
Development of conceptsGeneration of theoryDrawing of specific implicationsContribution of reach insight
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 8
Principles for conducting and evaluating interpretive research Klein and Myers 1999, MISQ
The fundamental principle of the hermeneutic circle.
The principle of contextualization. The principle of interaction between the
researchers and the subjects. The principle of abstraction and generalization. The principle of dialogical reasoning. The principle of multiple interpretations. The principle of suspicion.
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 9
Grounded Theory
Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss (1967) They criticized the "overemphasis in current sociology on
the verification of theory, and a resultant de-emphasis on the prior step of discovering what concepts and hypotheses are relevant for the area that one wishes to research“
"(...) we are also trying, through this book, to strengthen the mandate for generating theory, to help provide a defense against doctrinaire approaches to verification (...). It should also help students to defend themselves against verifiers who would teach them to deny the validity of their own scientific intelligence"
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 10
Grounded Theory as Theory
It is inductively derived from the study of the phenomenon it represents.
It is discovered, developed, and provisionally verified through systematic data collection and anlysis of data pertaining to that phenomenon.
Data collection, analysis and theory stand in reciprocal relationship with each other.
One does not begin with a theory, then prove it. One begins with an area of study and what is
relevant to that area is allowed to emerge.
Strauss and Corbin (1990) Basic of Qualitative Research, Sage.
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 11
Grounded Theory as a methodology
Emphasis on empirical material as basis for conceptualization.
Gathering reach empirical material from a variety of sources.
Open data collection Recording data systematically the emphasis is on exploring the nuances of the
data by constantly asking, 'of what is this an example?'
Develop dense and grouded concepts and categories
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 12
Defining Grounded Theory
”grounded theory methods are a set of flexible analytic guidelines that enable researchers to focus their data collection and to build inductive middle-range theories through successive levels of data anlysis and conceptual development”
Charmaz, K. (2005) ”Grounded Theory in the 21st Century” in The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 13
Grounded Theory: data analysis
Open coding concepts, categories, properties, code notes Memo writing
Axial coding Focus on relations Connections between categories Causal conditions, intervening conditions...
Selective coding
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 14
Grounded Theory
Conflicting principles:Emergence
Of categories from data
Theoretical sensitivity Researchers’ ability to see relevant data To identify theoretical relevant phenomena
Strauss/Glaser discussion
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 15
Case StudyYin, R. (1994) Case Study Research, Sage
A method of research/a research strategy (not linked to part. method of data collection)
Advantages/disadvantages depending on: Type of research question Control over behavioural events Focus on contemporary as opposed to historical
phenomena Preferred when:
”How” and ”why” questions Little control over events Focus on contemporary phenomena within real-life
context
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 16
Defining Case study
Distinguishing characteristics:It attempts to examine a contemporary
phenomenon in its real-life context;Expecially when the boundaries between
phenomenon and context are not clearly evident;
Different from: experiment and historical analysis.
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 17
Exploratory case study To develop pertinent hypothesis and propositions for
futher inquiry ”what are the ways of making schools effective?”
Descriptive case study To describe the incidence or prevalence of a
phenomenon Es. Political attitudes
Explanatory case study To trace operational links over time
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 18
Case study design
five components of research design:
1. A study's questions
2. Its propositions, if any
3. Its unit(s) of analysis
4. The logic linking the data to the propositions
5. The criteria for interpreting the findings
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 19
Case study: required skills for data collection
Ask good question Be a good listner Be adaptive and flexible (new = opportunity; not
always as planned) Have a firm grasp on the issue (relevant events
and information) Not mechanical recording Recognize deviations, contradictions
Be unbiased by preconceived notions Be open to contrary findings
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 20
Sources of evidence
DocumentationArchivial recordsInterviewsDirect observationsParticipant-observationPhysical artefacts (technological devices,
tools or instruments, a work of art)
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 21
Three Principles of data collection
Principle 1:Use multiple sources of evidenceSingle source: problems of accuracy and
trustworthinessTriangulation: rationale for using multiple
sources of evidenceConstruct validityMore expensive/time consuming/need
different skills
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 22
Three Principles of data collection
Principle 2: Create a case study databaseNeed to separate between collected
evidence and final reportIncreases reliabilityContents: notes, documents, quantitative
data, narrativesOther people should be able to access
data
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 23
Three Principles of data collection
Principle 3: Maintain a chain of evidence To allow an external observer to follow the
derivation to any evidence Trace steps
From conclusions to research questions From research questions to conclusions
Final report ↔ database ↔ evidence and circumstances ↔ procedures and questions in protocol ↔ initial research questions
inf5220 - 27 October 2005 24
Key characteristics of case studies (Benbasat et al.(1987) The Case Research Strategy in Studies of Information Systems, MIS Quarterly)
1. Phenomenon is examined in a natural setting2. Data are collected by multiple means3. One or few entities (person, group or organization) are examined4. The complexity of the unit is studied intensively5. The investigator should have a receptive attitude towards
exploration6. No experimental controls or manipulation are involved7. The investigator may not specify the set of dependent and
independent variables in advance8. The results derived depend heavily on the integrative powers of
the investigator9. Changes in site selection and data collection methods could take
place as the investigator develops new hypotheses10. Useful to study ”how” and ”why” questions11. The focus is on contemporary events