This paper offers a rigorous step-by-step methodology for either developing or testing 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 (1994), Eisenhardt (1989), Miles and Huberman (1994) and several others who are strong proponents of and have wide experience in t...

In this paper, we explore the methodological and epistemological implications of conducting feminist projects in management information systems (MIS) research. These implications revolve around four core themes: that feminist research is situated in the margins, that current gender and MIS research is not adequately problematized, that feminist research questions the legitimacy and appropriaten...

This paper describes and discusses diversity among lesbian and gay families along central dimensions of social stratification: gender, sexual orientation, generation, age, race and ethnicity. We examine implications of this diversity for traditional family theories, identify and discuss sexist and heterosexist assumptions of dominant family theories and suggest the usefulness of an integrative ...

This paper suggests how interpretivist, socio-critical and positivist approaches in information systems research might be integrated. Heinz Klein's approach to information systems was a significant advance on earlier ones, bringing together a number of issues discussed in interpretivist and socio-critical circles, with philosophical groundings. He believed IS research would benefit from integra...

This essay traces the vein of thought represented by Calabresi’s The Costs of Accidents, both backward in time to examine its sources, and forward to its impact on current scholarship. I focus on three broad topics: positive versus normative law and economics, positivist versus anti-positivist thinking in law; and the assumption of rationality in law and economics. ∗ Professor of Law and Paul J...

This paper discusses the potential problems and benefits of combining theory-testing and theorybuilding analyses of qualitative case study data. The examination is conducted in two contexts; first, that of carrying out both analyses within the positivist paradigm, and secondly, in combining positivist theory-testing analysis with interpretive theory-building analysis. A research design is used ...

This paper explores relationships between interpretivist and positivist information systems research. The philosophical bases of these research methodologies are used to evaluate suggested pluralistic research designs. Three calls for methodological pluralism are shown to be unsoundly based as they appear not to have considered the implications of adopting the basic assumptions upon which their...