Lecture 2, Chapter 1

Deduction Vs Induction
• Inductive reasoning starts from specific observations or sensory
experiences and then develops a general conclusion from them.

• Deductive reasoning begins with general statements (premises) and,

through logical argument, comes to a specific conclusion.
Examples
• A software architect discerns a pattern of organizing a code increases
efficiency, hence uses the pattern in subsequent designs.
Induction/ Deduction?
• An IT project manager believes in testing early and often. He gets
feedback on gathered user requirements.
Induction/ Deduction?
Scientific Method
• Empirical approach
• Observations
• Questions
• Hypotheses
• Experiments
• Analyses
• Conclusions
• Replication
HYPOTHETICO-DEDUCTIVE REASONING OR
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
• The hypothetico-deductive method combines inductive and deductive
reasoning, resulting in the to-and-fro process of:
• Identification or clarification of a problem;
• Developing a hypothesis (testable theory) inductively from
observations;
• Charting their implications by deduction;
• Practical or theoretical testing of the hypothesis;
• Rejecting or refining it in the light of the results.
Scientific Theory
• a claim about the relationship between various facts.

• a way of providing a concise explanation for what's been observed.

• Integrate and generalize many hypothesis.  

• “"A theory is a well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the

natural world that can incorporate laws, hypotheses and facts.” …..
The American Museum of Natural History 
Use of a Scientific Theory

• Explanation

• Prediction
Examples of Theories in IT
• Not many Theories in IT.

• Eg Computational complexity theory(2 groups), Theory of Reasoned

Action, Activity Theory.

• Group assignment 1 on this for Next week (10 min Presentation)

IT Research
• IT research domain is very broad.

• Includes :
• IT systems.
• the IT people (i.e. managerial and technical).
• Managerial and technical IT processes in the enterprise’s value chain;
• Policies and procedures constraining the IT systems.

• Multidisciplinary(Management, Health, Information Science, etc..)

IT Research
• Both Theoretical and Applied.

• Exploration for Research Methods in IT.(Weber, 1987; Nunamaker et

al., 1991; Davis, 1992; Brinkkemper and Falkenberg, 1991; Hevner et
al., 2004).

• Reading Assignment 1. (Article:

Systems development in information systems research)
 Research Approaches in Information Technology
Approach Nature Applicability
Empirical Based on usable evidence derived from Appropriate for research in IT
experimentation, observation, or actual Management where people, behaviors,
data rather than conjecture. processes and IT resources form part of
the domain

Positivist An empirical study which is based on Appropriate for research in IT, business
observation of observable reality, and and management where phenomena,
interventions using several methods behaviors, processes and inanimate
objects form part of the domain

Non-Positivist Derives from phenomenology where Appropriate when the context within
human behaviors and organizations are which research is performed has social
(phenomenological)
studied from individual perspectives. or cultural significance for the research
problem.
Research Approaches in Information
Technology
Approach Nature Applicability
Quantitative Relies on the collection of qualitative Appropriate to define the general
data from surveys, observation, and behaviors of systems or people, and to
inference. validate candidate independent and
dependent variables.

Mixed Uses a pluralistic approach and relies on Appropriate for situations where some
several methods. phenomena are well understood while
others are less understood. Enables
researcher to support/disagree or
confirm/refute hypothesis or
proposition

Case study An empirical study which relies on Appropriate to discover potential

observations made during or following behaviors of systems or people, and to
a real-world project. identify candidate independent and
dependent variables.
Characteristics of Good Research Topic

• Clear

• Well-defined

• Current importance
Class Task 2
• 1. Propose three research Topics in IT.(one should be about
developing artifacts)[Individual]
• 2. Discuss in Groups if the research topic is Feasible.
[20-30min] Max 5 students per group.
Recap
• Types of research?
• Research in IT?