MIS 650: Theory1 MIS 650 Writing Research Papers I: Theory (Getting an Idea)
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Transcript of MIS 650: Theory1 MIS 650 Writing Research Papers I: Theory (Getting an Idea)
MIS 650: Theory 2
Why Write a Research Paper
To TEACH what is known To HIGHLIGHT the need to know more To GENERATE new thought To INTEGRATE your thought into existing
thought To DEMONSTRATE the truth of your
thinking To INSTIGATE new inquiry
MIS 650: Theory 3
Forms of Research Paper
Formal published article in scholarly or professional journal
Paper delivered at scholarly or professional conference
Technical report to working group (business or professional)
Journalistic article for (general) public Dissertation/Thesis/Research Report/ Technical
Report
MIS 650: Theory 4
Types of Research Paper Critical Review of Thought Expose of Bad Practice (Re) Analysis of the Situation Research Report, pointing out new facts,
seeking opportunities
MIS 650: Theory 5
Pragmatics of ISResearch• Consult Strategic Plan (Strategy, Planning)
• Generate the Question (Marketing)
• Find a Sponsor (Marketing, Finance)
• Settle Ethical Questions, Obtain Approval (Policy)
• Write one or more Proposals (Comm’n)
• Research the Literature (Operations)
• Refine the Question (Marketing, Policy)
MIS 650: Theory 6
Pragmatics of IS Research (cont’d.)
• Research the Real World (Operations)
• Analyse the Results (Operations)
• Document the Results (Communication)
• Draw Conclusions (Operations)
• Submit for Publication (Sales)
• Account for Resource use (Accounting)
• Celebrate or cringe (PR)
MIS 650: Theory 7
Generating a Topic
Unsystematically Systematically
For a Funder/Audience To Complete/Round out a Resume What Will Sell
Current Hot Topics The Need for a Stable Phenomenon The Need to Hold Your Interest
MIS 650: Theory 8
CURRENT HOT TOPICS
TECHNOLOGYIT
MANAGEMENTCOMMERCE
Methods
Internet, Web
Client-Server
GroupWare
IT Staff Retention
CIO, IT Governance
IT Practices, Success
Project Management
Outsourcing
BPR & friends
Electronic Commerce
“Alignment”
Technology Adoption
Global IS
Network ParadigmsMethodological Issues:
Interpretivistism, Qualitative Methods,
Ethics
MIS 650: Theory 9
Users of the Research Paper
Research
Paper
IS Prof
Other
Researchers
IS
Practitioners
Other
IS
Students
General Public
IS
Instructors
IS
Practitioners
Exter-nal
Reader
MIS 650: Theory 10
Uses of the Research Paper Extend the “frontiers” of knowledge Point out commercial opportunities Meet the needs of academic task, goal Foment revolution, change Market ideas to a limited group Sound the alarm, call to action “Hidden Agendas” (career, politics, etc.)
MIS 650: Theory 11
How Your Paper Will Be Judged Innovativeness, contribution to theory Completeness of background research Relevance to perceived current challenges Clarity, succinctness, appeal, structure Mechanical production or delivery Persuasiveness, face validity Applicability of results Political correctness, unfortunately
MIS 650: Theory 12
Structure of the Research Paper
Chapter 1: Theory Chapter 2: Literature Review Chapter 3: Methodology Chapter 4: Data Collection Chapter 5: Analysis and Results Chapter 6: Conclusions
MIS 650: Theory 13
Chapter 1: Theory
Chapter Outline 1.1 Context, History 1.2 Your Research TOPIC 1.3 Contending Theories (if any) 1.4 Necessity for Research 1.5 Value of Research 1.6 The Research Hypotheses 1.7 Overview of Rest of Paper
MIS 650: Theory 14
1.1 Context/History WHEN: The history of the research area: What has happened in the real world? What has happened in the world of ideas? WHERE: Context WHO is interested? WHY? WHAT are the stakes and stakeholders HOW: Method Why is this new approach called for?
MIS 650: Theory 15
1.2 Your Research Topic
State your research topic as succinctlysuccinctly but as vividlyvividly as possible:
“The role that culture plays in the perceptions of participants in electronic, computer-supported meetings (EMS)”
Note action-oriented kernal: “…plays…”
Note focus/locus “culture”, “EMS”
In IS, there must be a technology locus
MIS 650: Theory 16
1.3 Contending Theories
Existing Theory
Contending Theory
Ph
e nom
e non
o f Inte re st
Un
r el at ed Im
pli ca tio n
s
Possibly yours!
MIS 650: Theory 17
Example: Deindividuation
Current theory says creativity in meetings due to “deindividuation”, participant losing inhibitions by being “immersed in group”
Deindividuation can explain both good and bad behaviour, but little bad happens, and cannot explain free riding
New theory (“orienting”) shows how people are creative while probing constraint
MIS 650: Theory 18
Example: IT and Knowledge Creation KC requires certain enabling conditions IT can affect KC in three ways:
IT can (1) create enabling conditions, (2) affect how E.C.s facilitate K.C. and (3) directly generate knowledge.
InfoTech’y
Enabl’gCond’ns Knowl.
Creation
1a 1b
23
Variety, Autonomy, Creative Chaos, etc.
MIS 650: Theory 19
1.4 Necessity for Research: Possible reasons
• Situation is instance of more general phenomenon regarding technology
• Commercial interest
• Potential for wasting lots of business resources
• People need help with technology
• Technology is going the wrong direction
MIS 650: Theory 20
1.5 Value of Research:Possible Criteria
Refers to previous sections on WHAT, WHO, WHY, and HOW
Demonstrates that research is worth doing Convinces that paper is worth reading
MIS 650: Theory 21
Example: GSS and CultureBecause existing theories don’t explain anomalous
(unexpected and inconsistent) results very well, these theories need improvement. Also, such systems are now more widely marketed to non-American groups. In addition, there have been many examples of partial implementation and huge expense. We suspect that corporate or national culture is a strong influence on the value of GSS. The new theory shows how culture influences users’ perceptions and evaluations.
MIS 650: Theory 22
1.6 The Research Hypotheses Are predictions from theory that can be
tested. THEY MUST BE TESTABLE Generally are phrased in “abstract” terms
but can be related to real-world phenomena If hypotheses are shown to be false, then the
underlying theory must have something false in it
Often stated in the “null” or negative way
MIS 650: Theory 23
Two Research Approaches: Positivism Phenomenology• Seeks prediction and
control• Reduces world to
atoms• Stresses observation• Concerned with
objectivity• “Scientific”
• Seeks understanding and debate
• Treats world as a whole within context
• Stresses experience• Concerned with
subjectivity• “Experiential”
MIS 650: Theory 24
A Brief Journey to Positivismland Independence of Observer Free of values; objectivity is goal Seeks to explain causes Hypothetico-Deductive (theory tested by
observation) Operationalisation is key Reductionist Seeks Generalisations Cross-sectional
MIS 650: Theory 25
Hypothetico-Deductive Method
Theory Describing the Real World
Testable Hypotheses
Real-World Observations Real-World Test
Theory makes
predictions that are
implications
Hypotheses are operationalised into real-world
test of predictions
Real-world test of
predictions is carried out
Theory is revised after results of
testing. If theory is supported, it need
not be revised, however.
Theory comes from researcher’s imagination
Working /
Research
MIS 650: Theory 26
Example: GSS and Culture Working Hypotheses• W1: “Orienting decreases with time”
• W2: “New cultural situations heighten need to orient”
• W3: “New situations heighten sense of self-awareness and thus reduce perceived sense of anonymity”
Note Generality
Note abstract Terminology
MIS 650: Theory 27
Example: GSS and Culture Research Hypotheses• H1: Participants (Ps) generate more
orienting-type comments in early stages of meeting than later stages
• H2: Ps generate more orienting-type comments in a transcultural setting than in a unicultural setting
• H3: Ps have a higher sense of self-awareness in transcultural settings than...
MIS 650: Theory 28
1.7 Overview of Rest of the Research Paper Mention each chapter Highlight main point of each chapter If not as expected (I.e., this outline), explain
why you must deviate from expected Point out any unusual things the reader must
watch out for Acknowledgements can be put here or in
separate section at front of paper
MIS 650: Theory 29
Theory Development Worksheet
Complete the attached worksheet
Develop a formalised set of theoretical ideas
Write a short article on the ideas
MIS 650: Theory 30
Describe a phenomenon that is of interest to you
Why is this interesting?
What else would you like to know about this phenomenon?
Page 3
Page 2
Page 1
MIS 650: Theory 31
What are the important concepts to this phenomenon?
How do you think they are related?
What about them causes this relationship?
Page 1
Page 3
Page 2
MIS 650: Theory 32
What other reasons could there be for this phenomenon to occur the way it does?
How would you say these reasons differ from one another?
How would you go about demonstrating which reasonis the best one?
Page 2
Page 1
Page 3
MIS 650: Theory 33
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MIS 650: Theory 34
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