In this chapter, we will look at what is meant by positivist research, and consider how a positivist approach to research leads to the use of experimental and quantitative methods. We will also be introducing you to the idea of research paradigms. This is important because carrying out research involves an understanding of the philosophy that underpins the research – or ‘paradigm’ – because thi...

Fourteen years ago, Straub (1989) raised the issue of whether IS positivist researchers were sufficiently validating their instruments. Since then, the IS profession has been exposed to many opportunities and challenges. E-Commerce has risen in prominence. Other management trends have passed through their cycles. Our new professional society, the Association of Information Systems, has been for...

This paper offers a rigorous step-by-step methodology for developing theories and contains specific and detailed guidelines for IS researchers to follow in carrying out positivist case studies. The methodology is largely inspired by the work of Yin [2003], Eisenhardt [1989], Miles and Huberman [1994] and several others who are strong proponents of and have wide experience in this research appro...

Positivist, single case study is an important research approach within the information systems discipline. This paper provides detailed definitions of key concepts in positivist, single case study research and carefully analyses the conduct and outcomes of the Sarker and Lee study that examined the role of social enablers in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems implementation, and was pre...

Over the past 20 years there has been significant progress in quantitative and qualitative research in information systems (Lee et al. 1997; Myers 1997; Myers and Avison 2002). There has also been much progress in our understanding of the contributions that can be made by both positivist and post-positivist (i.e., interpretive and critical) perspectives. The purpose of this panel is to review t...