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A Methodological Approach to IS

ResearchPresented by:

Dr. Jay Nunamaker, Jr.

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A Multimethodological Approach to IS Research

Prototype Prototype or Systemsor Systems

DevelopmentDevelopment

ObservationObservationExperi-Experi-

mentationmentation

TheoryTheory BuildingBuilding

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Development Begins Development Begins With Observation With Observation

and a Guiding and a Guiding ConceptConcept

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Boeing Corporation Building 777 Airplane

• It is the most complex flying machine ever developed

• It was prototyped entirely within the memory of the computer

• Built upon rigorous, mathematical aeronautical theories

• No physical prototype was used

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How Do We GetHow Do We Get From There? From There?

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To Here? To Here?

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The Wright Brothers Had No

Theories

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No Foundation Had Been Laid…

No Theory Yet Developed

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They learned about They learned about aerodynamics literally by the aerodynamics literally by the

seats of their pants–seats of their pants–

** Starting with Observation Starting with Observation* * Laws of PhysicsLaws of Physics

** And Domain Knowledge And Domain Knowledge

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Early Stages:Crafting the Flyer

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Prior Knowledge

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Prior Knowledge

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Building the Machine

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Testing

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Finishing the Race-- Proof

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The broken 1903 Flyer is on display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. The

exhibit is labeled with these words:

THE ORIGINAL WRIGHT BROTHERS AEROPLANETHE ORIGINAL WRIGHT BROTHERS AEROPLANETHE WORLD'S FIRST POWER-DRIVEN,THE WORLD'S FIRST POWER-DRIVEN,

HEAVIER-THAN-AIR MACHINE IN WHICH MANHEAVIER-THAN-AIR MACHINE IN WHICH MANMADE FREE, CONTROLLED, AND SUSTAINED FLIGHTMADE FREE, CONTROLLED, AND SUSTAINED FLIGHT

INVENTED AND BUILT BY WILBUR AND ORVILLE WRIGHTINVENTED AND BUILT BY WILBUR AND ORVILLE WRIGHTFLOWN BY THEM AT KITTY HAWK, NORTH CAROLINAFLOWN BY THEM AT KITTY HAWK, NORTH CAROLINA

DECEMBER 17, 1903DECEMBER 17, 1903BY ORIGINAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH BY ORIGINAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

THE WRIGHT BROTHERSTHE WRIGHT BROTHERSDISCOVERED THE PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN FLIGHTDISCOVERED THE PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN FLIGHT

AS INVENTORS, BUILDERS, AND FLYERS THEYAS INVENTORS, BUILDERS, AND FLYERS THEYFURTHER DEVELOPED THE AEROPLANE,FURTHER DEVELOPED THE AEROPLANE,

TAUGHT MAN TO FLY, AND OPENEDTAUGHT MAN TO FLY, AND OPENEDTHE ERA OF AVIATIONTHE ERA OF AVIATION

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A Multimethodological Approach to IS Research

Prototype Prototype or Systemsor Systems

DevelopmentDevelopment

ObservationObservationExperi-Experi-

mentationmentation

TheoryTheory BuildingBuilding

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Research Life Cycle

1. Theory building

2. Experimentation

3. Observation

4. Systems development

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Research Model

• Theory Building Involves:– Development of new ideas and concepts– Conceptual Frameworks– Models

• Mathematical• Simulation• Data

– Methods

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Theory Building Models• Usually concerned with generic

system behaviors• Subjected to rigorous analysis• Mathematical models often have

constraining assumptions which limit applicability of models

• Often display limited practical relevance to the target domain

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Relevance of a Theory

• Refers to potential insights and impacts on practical applications

• Theory building or basic research contributes to the body of knowledge in a research domain but produces no system that takes advantage of this new knowledge

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Theories May Be Used to Suggest:Theories May Be Used to Suggest:

• Research hypotheses

• Guide design of experiments

• Conduct systematic observations

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Experimentation

• Laboratory and field experiments

• Computer and experimental simulations

• Concerns itself with validation of underlying theories

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Experimental Designs Are:Experimental Designs Are:

• Guided by theories and

• Facilitated by systems development

• Used to refine theories and improve systems

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Observation• Research methodologies

– Case studies– Field studies– Sample studies unobtrusively obtained

• Used to get a general feel for what is involved• Helps to formulate hypotheses to be tested in

experimentation or to focus later investigations

• Insights are gained in natural, more holistic settings, relevant to domain studied

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Researchers are expected to report sufficient

contextual and environmental conditions

to enable judgment of limitations

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It is extremely important that It is extremely important that other research methodologies other research methodologies

be employed to support be employed to support systems development effortssystems development efforts

Software system by itself is not sufficient to prove anything scientifically relevant.

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Utilizing Different Research Methodologies in

System Development• Systems development is the hub of

research• Interacts with other research to form an

integrated and dynamic research program

• No one research methodology is preeminent

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Where multiple research methodologies are

applicable, they appear to be complimentary, providing

valuable feedback to one another

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ResearchResearch ProcessProcess

Body of KnowledgeBody of Knowledge

Apply valid Research

Methodologies

Understand the Research Domains

Knowledge of Research Domains

++

++Knowledge of

Research Methodologies

Results contribute to thebody of knowledge

FRAMEWORK OF RESEARCH

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System Development Research Process

Develop aSystem

Architecture

Analyze &Design the System

Build the(Prototype)

System

Observe &Evaluate the

System

Construct a ConceptualFramework

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Research Issues Research Issues in the System in the System

Development ProcessDevelopment Process

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Construct a Conceptual Framework

• State a meaningful question

• Investigate the system functionalities and requirements

• Understand the system building processes/procedures

• Study relevant disciplines for new approaches and ideas

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Develop a System Architecture

• Develop a unique architecture design for extensibility, modularity, etc.

• Define functionalities of system components and interrelationships among them

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Analyze & Design the System

• Design the database/knowledge base schema and processes to carry out system functions

• Develop alternative solutions and choose one solution

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Build the System

• Learn through the system building process about:– Concepts– Framework– Design

• Gain insights about the problems and the complexity of the system

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Observe & Evaluate the System• Observe the use of the system by

experiments, case studies and field studies

• Evaluate the system by laboratory experiments or field experiments

• Develop new theories/models based on the observation and experimentation of the system’s usage

• Consolidate experiences learned

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In Concluding…

Building a system in and of itself does not constitute research

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Systems Development Is Systems Development Is Credible As a Research Credible As a Research

MethodologyMethodology

As just one of many methodologies

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ResearchResearch ProcessProcess

Body of KnowledgeBody of Knowledge

Apply valid Research

Methodologies

Understand the Research Domains

Knowledge of Research Domains

++

++Knowledge of

Research Methodologies

Results contribute to thebody of knowledge

FRAMEWORK OF RESEARCH

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A Multimethodological Approach to IS Research

Prototype Prototype or Systemsor Systems

DevelopmentDevelopment

ObservationObservationExperi-Experi-

mentationmentation

TheoryTheory BuildingBuilding