How Critical Realism Clarifies Validity Issues in Information Systems Theory-Testing Research

Validity is an enduring theme in the Information Systems (IS) domain. However, because much of that discussion draws, at least nominally, on an Empiricist orientation, formulating issues of validity in a way that is pertinent to a practice-oriented discipline has been difficult. This is particularly true for external validity, which refers to the applicability, or relevance, of research to phenomena in the broader environment of practice, but also for measurement, ecological, and internal validity, all of which are needed to establish rigor in human-centred practical research. We argue that Critical Realism presents a number of insights that profoundly clarify a discussion of validity in practice-oriented theory-testing research. We reformulate the notions of theory testing and research validity from the Critical Realist perspective and illustrate new insights gained using a discussion of a controlled experiment

BUILDING AND VALIDATING INFORMATION SYSTEMS THEORY USING A CASE STUDY SEQUENTIAL EXPLANATORY MIXED METHODS RESEARCH

Building and validating theory in a single study is an important aspect in Information Systems (IS) research. This article discusses how theory can be developed and validated using a sequential explanatory mixed methods case study research. It is based on a critical literature review on mixed methods and case study research. Both mixed methods and case study research embraces multiple paradigms which help to bridge multiple methods and sources of evidence in a single study. The findings from the literature review suggest that sequential explanatory mixed methods case study research may be useful in developing and validating theory in a single study. The article argues that sequential mixed methods case study research enables simultaneously exploring and confirming research questions thereby accomplishing two goals (generating and verifying theory) in the same study. This is very important in research studies which cannot be conducted conclusively using one method to test and explore in depth. This article therefore contributes to our understanding of the complementarity of mixed methods and case study research in developing and validating theory

Making the Case for Leveraging the Patient-Centered E-Health (PCEH) Context to Expand Information Systems Theory

Patient-centered e-health (PCEH) represents a fascinating area of digitized stakeholder interactions characterized by complex information flows, shared decision making, co-created value, and mutual interest in improving health outcomes. Such a context lies in contrast to often contentious firm-consumer relationships characterized by self-interest, surplus maximization (from both producer and consumer sides), and consumer segmentation. This article suggests that PCEH is an ideal context in which to study the emerging class of information systems that include consumers as empowered influencers, stakeholders, and decision makers, rather than only “purchasers” on the other side of the exchange relationship or “mandated” users in the enterprise context. The PCEH context is proposed as an enormous research opportunity that may significantly contribute to expanding information systems research and theory

Evaluating the impact of electronic health records on clinical reasoning performance

This paper adapts and extends the task-technology fit model of performance to the health care domain and the clinical reasoning task. Central to this effort was careful adaptation of the task and technology characteristics constructs to the clinical reasoning task and electronic health record technology. Overall the results indicate a good fit between model and data. The contributions of this study include successful adaptation of a corner-stone information systems theory to a new domain and technology, a validated user evaluation instrument able to assess the impact of EHR use on clinical reasoning performance, and new insight on the factors that impact task-technology fit and clinical reasoning performance