Analytical methods for Information Systems Professionals Week 8 Lecture 2

1. Analytical methods for Information Systems Professionals Week 8 Lecture 2 Qualitative Data collection Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

2. Today’s objectives • To give an overview of qualitative methods of data collection • To introduce you to Soft Systems Methodology as a form of Action research Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

3. Senge, P. M. (1992). The fifth discipline: the art and practice of the learning organisation. Sydney, Random House. Peter Senge is Director of the Systems Thinking and Organisational Learning Program at the Sloan School of Management, MIT Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

4. Qualitative Methods of Data collection • Field Research • Rich pictures • Interviewing and Focus Groups • Participant observation • Case study • Grounded Theory • Ethnography • Delphi Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

5. Field Research • An inquiry into real life situations • Studying behaviour patterns and reasons for them • Generally, but not always begins with some general notions or tentative hypothesis • Can be descriptive, exploratory or hypothesis testing • Uses a variety of methods • comprehensive Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

6. Interviewing and Focus Groups • Observing vs questioning • qualitative vs Quantitative interviewing • Interviewer has a general plan but not structured questions • The answers to questions will shape subsequent questions • Focus groups Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

7. Participant observation • Observes communication and interaction in an unstructured environment • Studies everyday life events, as they are experienced and understood by the participants • Sees the reality constructed by the participants through their interaction and communication. • Observes the natural environment of the participants without changing it. • The design is modified as observation is caried out Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

8. Case Study • Study of an example (case) of a social phenomenon to understand the phenomenon. • Eg a community, • Can be seen as a data collection method or a research model dealing with all aspects of research. • Used in quantitative research to gather information to help develop hypotheses, stands alone in qualitative research. Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

9. Case Study • Can be a period of time or a group of people • Encompasses naturalism, openness, communication and interpretation • Chief purpose is often descriptive • Can be used to test theory – extended case study – looking for theoretical gaps Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

10. Grounded theory • Combines the traditions of positivisim and interactionism • Attempts to derive theories from an anlysis of patterns, themes and common categories discovered in observational data. • Is a common way of combining qualitative and quantitative research • Induction, deduction, verification Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

11. Ethnography • Places groups or units of analysis in the context of the whole culture, studying them in a holisitic context Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

12. Delphi • Experts offer information, judgements, predictions • Researcher summarises the information • Offers the summary to the experts for comments and discussion • Differences and deviations are reduced iteratively through interview, discussion and consideration until something approaching consensus is reached • Can use interviews or or questionnaires • Was used in WW2for prediction • See the article in your handbook on Identifying software Project Risks Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

13. Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) • Is a form of action research which aims to ais understanding problem situation in human activity systems • Includes all actors (including the analyst (researcher) in exploring and understanding the problem situation • Analysts are not objective outsideers • The process is iterative • Different to structured systems approaches Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

14. SSM • Socio-techical systems • Hardware • Software • Techniques • People • Processes • information • reflection/review • Modelling • Peter Checkland Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

15. E.T.H.I.C.S • Effective technical and human implemetnation of computer based systems • Enid Mumford • Tavistock Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

16. Rich Pictures • A pictorial caricature of an organisation to help explain what the organisation is about • Defines • structure, • process, • Relationships • Contextual information – subjective and objective Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

17. Is a common “map” of a situation which participants can contribute to • Identifies issues, roles and stakeholders • Starts with few, if any assumptions is unstructured • Sumarises the situation • Picture can be decomposed for more detail • Analysis helps move from what is the problem to what can be done Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

18. Actor Rich Pictures • Root Definitions • who is doing • What • For whom • Who is acountable • What assumptions are being made • What is the environment CATWOE Transformation Client Owner Weltanschanug – world view Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

19. Rich Pictures When the root defintion is completed, • Build a conceptual model • Design • Plans • Compare the conceptual model with reality • Eg compare stakeholders views • Identify change Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

20. Objectivist = meaning and reality exist apart from anybody being conscious of them Constructivist = meaning derives from our interaction with the world Subjectivist = meaning is imposed on an object by the subject What do we recognise as knowledge How do we know what we know? What is “true” Four elements of research • Epistemology • Theoretical perspective • Methodology • Methods • Positivist • Interpretive • Critical The philosphical stance that underlies our chosen methodology – our assumptions Plan of action, research design and why • Techniques • Surveys • Interviews • observation Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .