Transcript Case study in presentation

‘Paradigm wars’
• Paradigms reflect assumptions about knowledge
and how it can be obtained
– what is valid research?
– which research methods are appropriate?
• Positivist: reality is objectively given and can be
described by measurable properties independent
of the researcher
– Formal propositions, hypothesis testing, generalising
• Interpretivist: we can access reality through
social constructions such as language, shared
meanings
– Rich descriptions of IS in context
• Critical: social reality is historically constructed,
thus the aim of research is emancipation
Case studies
• A research approach? (Yin)
– “investigates a contemporary phenomenon
within its real-life context,especially when
the boundaries between the phenomenon
and context are not clearly evident” (Yin
1994:13)
• A method for data collection? (Galliers)
• A unit of study & analysis? (Stake)
Research themes
Literature
Insights
Theoretical
foundations
Literature-based
scrutiny
Knowledge
Theory
Series of
Conceptual
frameworks
Reflect
Plan
Analyse
Collect
data
Plan
• Plan the data collection:
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What cases?
In what organisations?
Access?
Standard forms, interview protocol, equipment,
recording data
• Plan the analysis
– What method of analysis
– Forms, structure, software to help
Access
• To the case (organisation)
– Case selection
– Observation & document analysis
• To the people
– Participant selection
– Access to their views & actions (interview &
observation techniques)
• “what it is to be rather than see a member of the
organisation”
– Participant’s opinions and stories, not analysis
– Verify your understanding
Collect data
• Use the plan as a guide
• Things will change in the field
• Close interrelationship between collecting
data and analysing it
Analyse
• Coding: concepts in the conceptual
framework provide initial codes
• ‘any other’ code to include unexpected
outcomes
• Ties the data analysis to the research themes
Reflect
• Deliberate and conscious thought about your
research
– What do these findings mean?
– Implications for the conceptual framework?
• Reflection either validates or revises and
extends the conceptual framework
• Keeps the researcher honest:
– Look for disconfirming evidence
– Look for alternative explanations
– Review your research methods
References
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IS World at http://www.qual.auckland.ac.nz/
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