Research Commentary: Rethinking "Diversity" in Information Systems Research.

Author List: Benbasat, Izak; Weber, Ron;
Information Systems Research, 1996, Volume 7, Issue 4, Page 389-399.
Three types of diversity have been prominent in the Information Systems discipline for over a decade: (a) diversity in the problems addressed; (b) diversity in the theoretical foundations and reference disciplines used to account for IS phenomena; and (c) diversity in the methods used to coiled, analyze, and interpret data. History has played a major part in encouraging IS researchers to use diversity as a means of countering criticisms of their discipline and increasing their research rigor and productivity. In particular, frequent recourse to reference disciplines has underpinned much of the research that has been undertaken since the early 1980s. There are now signs, however, that the level of diversity that currently exists in IS research may be problematic. In this paper, we consider some of the benefits and costs of allowing, diversity to reign in the IS discipline. We also propose a structure that we hope will facilitate discourse on the benefits and costs of diversity and on the role that diversity should now play in the IS discipline.
Keywords: Ethics.; History; IS Research; Paradigms; Reference Disciplines
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#21 0.420 research information systems science field discipline researchers principles practice core methods area reference relevance conclude set focus propose perspective inquiry
#235 0.146 diversity free impact trial market time consumer version strategy sales focal premium suggests freemium trials effect include extensions internet products
#6 0.102 data used develop multiple approaches collection based research classes aspect single literature profiles means crowd collected trend accuracy databases accurate
#151 0.091 costs cost switching reduce transaction increase benefits time economic production transactions savings reduction impact services reduced affect expected optimal associated
#18 0.085 adaptive theory structuration appropriation structures technology use theoretical ast capture believe consensus technologies offices context based initial advanced exploring findings