Controlling action research projects
Controlling action research projects
Action research (AR), which emphasises collaboration between researchers and practitioners, is a qualitative research method that has much potential for the information systems (IS) field. AR studies of IS phenomena are now beginning to be published in the IS research literature. However, the rigour of many AR studies in IS can be improved. When AR has been published, the findings have frequently been emphasised at the expense of the process. In this article, we look at the process in AR projects, and look at some of the key choices and alternatives in controlling AR. We discuss three aspects of control: the procedures for initiating an AR project, those for determining authority within the project, and the degree of formalisation. We analyse seven recent AR projects in IS and from this analysis distil recommendations for determining these control structures.
action research, control, information systems, methodology
28-45
Avison, David
4f365b4b-be29-4046-a3a6-6c9268b5f7ed
Baskerville, Richard
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Myers, Michael
4b4a2073-c450-477e-902a-7439c5676751
2001
Avison, David
4f365b4b-be29-4046-a3a6-6c9268b5f7ed
Baskerville, Richard
d7e1c5b6-92e2-4d2b-8c18-4d90a8b874a6
Myers, Michael
4b4a2073-c450-477e-902a-7439c5676751
Avison, David, Baskerville, Richard and Myers, Michael
(2001)
Controlling action research projects.
Information Technology & People, 14 (1), .
(doi:10.1108/09593840110384762).
Abstract
Action research (AR), which emphasises collaboration between researchers and practitioners, is a qualitative research method that has much potential for the information systems (IS) field. AR studies of IS phenomena are now beginning to be published in the IS research literature. However, the rigour of many AR studies in IS can be improved. When AR has been published, the findings have frequently been emphasised at the expense of the process. In this article, we look at the process in AR projects, and look at some of the key choices and alternatives in controlling AR. We discuss three aspects of control: the procedures for initiating an AR project, those for determining authority within the project, and the degree of formalisation. We analyse seven recent AR projects in IS and from this analysis distil recommendations for determining these control structures.
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Published date: 2001
Keywords:
action research, control, information systems, methodology
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 35821
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/35821
ISSN: 0959-3845
PURE UUID: ec57e569-d4e6-413f-8648-7dc1941502be
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Date deposited: 23 May 2006
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 07:54
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Author:
David Avison
Author:
Richard Baskerville
Author:
Michael Myers
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