Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Information Systems Research: A Case Study.

Author List: Kaplan, Bonnie; Duchon, Dennis;
MIS Quarterly, 1988, Volume 12, Issue 4, Page 571-586.
This article reports how quantitative and qualitative methods were combined in a longitudinal multidisciplinary study of interrelationships between perceptions of work and a computer information system. The article describes the problems and contributions stemming from different research perspectives and methodological approaches. It illustrates four methodological points: (1) the value of combining qualitative and quantitative methods; (2) the need for context-specific measures of job characteristics rather than exclusive reliance on standard context-independent instruments; (3) the importance of process measures when evaluating information systems; and (4) the need to explore the necessary relationships between a computer system and the perceptions of its users, rather than unidirectional assessment of computer system impacts on users or of users characteristics on computer system implementation. Despite the normative nature of these points, the most important conclusion is the desirability for a variety of approaches to studying information systems. No one approach to information systems research can provide the richness that information systems, as a discipline, needs for further advancement.
Keywords: computer system evaluation; computer system impacts; interpretivist perspective; medical and health care applications; Methodology; organizational impacts; qualitative methods; research methods; research perspectives; work
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#289 0.322 qualitative methods quantitative approaches approach selection analysis criteria used mixed methodological aspects recent selecting combining known conclusions included article appropriateness
#159 0.164 systems information objectives organization organizational development variety needs need efforts technical organizations developing suggest given effective designing lack help recent
#275 0.094 perceptions attitudes research study impacts importance perceived theory results perceptual perceive perception impact relationships basis significant positive reported common individuals
#222 0.088 research researchers framework future information systems important present agenda identify areas provide understanding contributions using literature studies paper potential review
#282 0.075 power perspective process study rational political perspectives politics theoretical longitudinal case social rationality formation construction shows multiple instead understanding fact
#157 0.062 evaluation effectiveness assessment evaluating paper objectives terms process assessing criteria evaluations methodology provides impact literature potential important evaluated identifying multiple
#63 0.053 mis problems article systems management edp managers organizations ;br> data survey application examines need experiences recent organization reports departments oriented