IS Research Methods

Koloseni, D (PhD)
The Institute of Finance Management,
Faculty of Computing, Information
Systems and Mathematics
 Introduction

• The IS field accounts almost five decades old.

• The first IS programs were established at the
Universities of Pennsylvania and Minnesota, and MIT
during the late 1960s.
• The academic discipline of IS, which parallels IS in
industry, seeks to further the field by developing
theory that creates, captures, and records
knowledge.
 Introduction
Concerned with
Organizational
use of IS
(Industrial side
of IS)
IS research
IS is an applied field, thus :
Uses, redefines,
Core Theories redevelops the theories
such as TAM from other disciplines to
(Academic side further knowledge related
of IS) to its own issues

• Derives theories from Computer science, Health,

Organization behavior, cognitive psychology etc.
• ** Theory means: a system of ideas such as propositions,
assumptions etc. which explain a particular phenomenon such
as cause – effect relationships.
 Introduction
• Since IS research is concerned with analysis,
design and development of information systems –
problem solving, it imperative to consider theories.
• IS affects the society and affected by it as well!

For example in order to understand factors influencing/affecting the

utilization of e-learning system among students, you need to conduct a
research (Candidate theories could be Social Learning Theory or Self –
Efficacy theory (Bandura, 1977) and Technology Acceptance Model
(TAM) (Davis, 1989)

• The outcome of this research could help to design a

better e-learning system.
 Task 1
• Write short notes about the following IS theories:
– 1) Technology acceptance Model (TAM)
– 2) Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA)
– 3) Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)
• For each theory state the author, originality,
variables and measurement items.

• Draw a diagram depicting the inter-relationship

between the variables.
 What, and Why of Research
• Research is way of going about finding answers
to questions. (Neumann, 2006) or
• Knowledge acquisition gained
– through reasoning
– through intuition (perception)
– but most importantly through the use of
appropriate methods – The scientific methods
– Scientific Methods -What is it?
 What, and Why of Research
• A research is focused because it is always
directed at achieving specific objective(s) by
answering specific research question(s).
• It is systematic due to the fact that it is based
on logical relationships (Adam & Kamuzora,
2008).
• The logic for the methods used for data
collection, the sample selected for the study,
the research paradigm and any limitations of
the study should all be explained (Saunders et
al., 2007).
 The Scientific Methods
1. Choose a question to investigate
2. Identify a hypothesis related to the question
3. Make testable predictions in the hypothesis
4. Design a study or an experiment to answer
hypothesis question
5. Collect data for a study or in experiment
6. Assess reliability and validity of the data
7. Determine if results support or refute your
hypothesis
 The Scientific Method
1.Notion or belief that certain factors may
influence the adoption of e-learning system.

- Observations from actual usage of the

system
- Examination of the usage patterns
- Theoretical speculation(s)

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 The Scientific Method
2. Identify variables (factors) you are interested
in:
– Independent - (facilitating conditions,
performance expectancy, usefulness)
– Dependent(Outcome) - (intention to adopt
IV – Factor (s) that independently causes
e- learning system) or influences another factor (s) called
Extra
independent variable (DV)

3. Formulate a specific hypothesis

– Frame a hypothesis which seeks to answer a
specific question about the relationship
between dependent and independent
Is the prediction of the study's findings, which may be
variable.
Extra supported or not by the results. Hypothesis testing is the
core of the scientific method.
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Basic Question in Research
For example: Is independent and dependent
variables linked?

Is there an association between them?

Independent Dependent
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 Association/ Relationship

• From the results of your study, does a

statistical relationship exist between two or
more events, characteristics, or other
variables
Statistical relationship is
donated by p values

• Is there a statistical relationship, or

association, between independent
variables and dependent variables?

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 Hypothesis Formulation
Use observations from:
• Literature
• Descriptive studies
• (assessment of person,
place, and time
characteristics)
• Creativity
To
• Formulate a hypothesis
• Frame the hypothesis in a
format that is testable
• Test the hypothesis
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 Hypothesis Formulation
• Observations from:

– Literature
– Descriptive studies (assessment of person, place,
and time characteristics)
– Creativity

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Stages for conducting a
research Project