Research Paradigms and Information Systems: A Call for Triangulation

Abstract

Selecting a research paradigm and methodology is one of the most important aspects in research in general, and in information systems (IS) in particular. It has been claimed that current research efforts in IS are more concerned with "how" the research is conducted rather than "what" research is conducted and why. This in turn affects the quality of research and the quality of research results. The purpose of this paper is to explain a variety of research paradigms and approaches and to provide an insight into making research choices in the IS area, which IS researchers may find useful in selecting an appropriate research methodology. It also provides some recommendations for researchers in IS that directly address the major problems highlighted in the review and suggests a useful way of selecting research methods.