Interpretive research is knowledge that is gained, or at least filtered, through social constructions such as language, consciousness, and shared meanings
"Following Klein & Myers (1999), the foundation assumption for interpretive research is that knowledge is gained, or at least filtered, through social constructions such as language, consciousness, and shared meanings. In addition to the emphasis on the socially constructed nature of reality, interpretive research acknowledges the intimate relationship between the researcher and what is being explored, and the situational constraints shaping this process. In terms of methodology, interpretive research does not predefine dependent or independent variables, does not set out to test hypotheses, but aims to produce an understanding of the social context of the phenomenon and the process whereby the phenomenon influences and is influenced by the social context (Walsham, 1995)."
(Bruce H. Rowlands, 2005)
ISSN 1477-7029 81 ©Academic Conferences Ltd Reference this paper as: Rowlands B (2005) 'Grounded in Practice: Using Interpretive Research to Build Theory' The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methodology Volume 3 Issue 1, pp 81-92, available online at www.ejbrm.com
Klein, H., & Myers, M., (1999), 'A Set of Principals for Conducting and Evaluating Interpretive Field Studies in Information Systems', MIS Quarterly, Vol 23, No 1, pp 67-94.
Walsham, G., (1995), 'Interpretive Case Studies in IS Research: Nature and Method', European Journal of Information Systems, Vol 4. No 2, pp.74-81.
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Simon PerkinsSHARE
Grounded in Practice: Using Interpretive Research to Build Theory
"This paper provides guidance and an example for carrying out research using an interpretive framework to build theory of IS practice. The paper provides an example of (a) developing a theoretical framework, (b) how to choose an appropriate research method, (c) particulars of data collection and analysis, and (d) appropriate evaluative criteria applicable to interpretive research. The research example is a study of decision-making by owner-managers of small firms in the IT industry in Australia. The aim of the study (1) was directed toward exploring and describing the decision making process of owner/managers regarding their participation with on-the-job training schemes for the first time; and (2) to develop process theory explaining their participation. While structured as a typical research paper, this paper is different in that the focus is on describing the research process, conceptual issues and the research methods used rather than the findings. This format is important for two reasons: (1) unlike positivist research, there is no accepted general model for communicating interpretive research. (2) Similarly, few guidelines exist for conducting the inductive process central to interpretive research. Throughout the paper, issues relating to the choice and application of the methods in terms of conducting inductive research are discussed. Given the practical importance of interpretive research in information systems it is argued that documenting the decisions about the research process may be particularly valuable to researchers in the information systems community."
(Bruce H. Rowlands)
Rowlands B (2005) 'Grounded in Practice: Using Interpretive Research to Build Theory' The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methodology Volume 3 Issue 1, pp 81-92, available online at www.ejbrm.com
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Simon PerkinsSHARE
