Researching Information Systems and Computing

Briony J Oates was Professor of Inquiry Methods in the School of Computing at Teesside University in the UK. Her research interests ranged widely, from digital art to IT systems project failures to evidence-based practice in information systems and software engineering. She was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in recognition of her pioneering work in the teaching of research methods to computing and information systems students. She has developed and taught many modules in research methods for both undergraduates and postgraduates. She has supervised numerous masters dissertations, been the Director of Studies for a large number of PhD students, and been the external examiner for many doctoral theses. She has now retired and moved to the Outer Hebrides. She retains an interest in research methods and how they are taught in information systems and computing, but now enjoys spending most of her time on artistic and outdoor pursuits. Professor Rachel McLean is Director of Liverpool Screen School at Liverpool John Moores University. Rachel’s research career began with a PhD in electronic commerce. Her extensive and varied research portfolio includes international publications on science fiction and creative prototyping, and social media use in commercial and public sector industries. Rachel was successfully nominated as a REF 2021 panel member for UoA 34 Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management. In 2016 Rachel was elected as President of the UK Academy of Information Systems (UKAIS), becoming the first woman to hold this post since the Academy was founded 25 years ago. She is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). A Reader in Digital Technologies, an ex-President of UK Academy in Information Systems (UKAIS), and a Digital Strategist Trustee with a homeless charity Emmaus Salford, Marie Griffiths has significant experience working on digital ‘live’ research projects which have explored the use of implementing technologies for commercial success. A key leadership role in the Business School is as the Post Graduate Research Director with over 100 PhD students under her guidance.  Marie has also held industry roles, and has a background in Information Systems, an area in which she is well published. Her current research focusses upon digital transformation, gender and ICT, digital workplace and disruptive tech. Marie is Programme Leader for two successful Masters, MSc Digital Business and MSc Managing Innovation and Information Technology and has recently co-authored a textbook, Strategic Digital Transformation: A Results-Driven Approach.

• 1 Introduction2 The Purpose and Products of Research3 Overview of the Research Process4 The Digital Researcher5 Participants and Research Ethics6 Reviewing the Literature7 Surveys8 Design and Creation9 Experiments10 Case Studies11 Action Research12 Ethnography13 Interviews14 Observations15 Questionnaires16 Documents17 Quantitative Data Analysis18 Qualitative Data Analysis19 Philosophical Paradigms – Positivism20 Philosophical Paradigms – Interpretivism and Critical Research21 Presentation of the Research