On the Rhetoric and Relevance of IS Research Paradigms: A Conceptual Framework and Some Propositions

This paper discusses the relevance of IS research with respect to the rhetoric associated with three IS research paradigms in use positivism, constructivism/ interpretivism and critical research. The discussion is framed in terms of the following dimensions: ontological, epistemological and methodological assumptions, relationship between theory and practice, and the role of the researcher in the research process. Based on this discussion, the authors propose a theoretical framework to study the relationship of the espoused assumptions of a researcher’s perspective with the degree of relevance of their knowledge claims to various stakeholders. In conclusion, some key propositions are elucidated and justified.