Conducting Research in Information Systems

This article presents a summary of key success factors for publishing research in top-tier IS journals; it is not intended to be an introduction to research, but to go beyond the "rational model" presented by most introductory works. The paper begins by discussing the processes by which research projects are identified and developed, specifically focusing on where project ideas are found and how projects are selected and refined. Next, we discuss the fundamental role that theory development, testing and refinement plays in research. This discussion is followed by an examination of several interrelated research design issues, including maximizing publication potential, and executing the study's activities. Next, the importance of writing quality as well as the cultivation and refinement of a project’s message is discussed. Finally, a checklist is provided on “how to be rejected” which summarizes the central themes of this article.