Interactions Between System Evaluation and Theory Testing: A Demonstration of the Power of a Multifaceted Approach to Information Systems Research.

Author List: Cao, Jinwei; Crews, Janna M.; Lin, Ming; Deokar, Amit; Burgoon, Judee K.; Nunamaker, Jr., Jay F.;

Journal of Management Information Systems, 2006, Volume 22, Issue 4, Page 207-235.

Historically, information systems (IS) researchers have questioned which research paradigms, activities, and methods IS research should follow. In this paper, we argue that different research methods and activities may interact with each other, different research paradigms may complement each other due to such interactions, and therefore, a multimethodological, cross-paradigm research approach may result in better IS research than a singular approach. Three existing multimethodological IS research frameworks are reviewed and summarized into an integrated approach. Two types of interactions between different research methods across system evaluation and theory testing research activities are identified. A three-year research study about a computer-based training system for deception detection (Agent99 Trainer) provides a concrete example to demonstrate the existence and research benefits of these two types of interactions, as well as the benefits of a multimethodological, cross-paradigm IS research approach.

Keywords: IS research framework; research activity; research method; research paradigm

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#21	0.268	research information systems science field discipline researchers principles practice core methods area reference relevance conclude set focus propose perspective inquiry
#219	0.210	response responses different survey questions results research activities respond benefits certain leads two-stage interactions study address respondents question directly categories
#294	0.207	development systems methodology methodologies information framework approach approaches paper analysis use presented applied assumptions based proposed described examines basis proposes
#220	0.093	research study different context findings types prior results focused studies empirical examine work previous little knowledge sources implications specifically provide