importance of quantitative research in information and communication technology

It implies that there will be some form of a quantitative representation of the presence of the firm in the marketplace. In conclusion, recall that saying that QtPR tends to see the world as having an objective reality is not equivalent to saying that QtPR assumes that constructs and measures of these constructs are being or have been perfected over the years. The demonstration of reliable measurements is a fundamental precondition to any QtPR study: Put very simply, the study results will not be trusted (and thus the conclusions foregone) if the measurements are not consistent and reliable. There are different types of validity that are important to identify. Finally, governmental data is certainly subject to imperfections, lower quality data that the researcher is her/himself unaware of. Hair, J. F., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2011). The purpose of research involving survey instruments for explanation is to test theory and hypothetical causal relations between theoretical constructs. In R. L. Thorndike (Ed. It is also important to regularly check for methodological advances in journal articles, such as (Baruch & Holtom, 2008; Kaplowitz et al., 2004; King & He, 2005). Lauren Slater provides some wonderful examples in her book about experiments in psychology (Slater, 2005). Rigor in Grounded Theory Research: An Interpretive Perspective on Generating Theory from Qualitative Field Studies. Their selection rules may then not be conveyed to the researcher who blithely assumes that their request had been fully honored. Explanatory surveys ask about the relations between variables often on the basis of theoretically grounded expectations about how and why the variables ought to be related. Gefen, D. (2019). (2017). Laboratory experiments take place in a setting especially created by the researcher for the investigation of the phenomenon. Springer. Random assignment is about randomly manipulating the instrumentation so that there is a very unlikely connection between the group assignments (in an experimental block design) and the experimental outcomes. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 19(8), 752-774. American Psychologist, 17(11), 776-783. It is by no means optional. Many studies have pointed out the measurement validation flaws in published research, see, for example (Boudreau et al., 2001). Masson, M. E. (2011). More advanced statistical techniques are usually not favored, although of course, doing so is entirely possible (e.g., Gefen & Larsen, 2017). While these views do clearly differ, researchers in both traditions also agree on several counts. Science and technology are critical for improved agricultural production and productivity. Hence the external validity of the study is high. Strictly speaking, natural experiments are not really experiments because the cause can usually not be manipulated; rather, natural experiments contrast naturally occurring events (e.g., an earthquake) with a comparison condition (Shadish et al., 2001). Therefore, experimentation covers all three Shadish et al. The theory base itself will provide boundary conditions so that we can see that we are talking about a theory of how systems are designed (i.e., a co-creative process between users and developers) and how successful these systems then are. W. H. Freeman. (2014). A typical way this is done is to divide the subjects into groups randomly where each group is treated differently so that the differences in these treatments result in differences in responses across these groups as hypothesize. (1935). It is necessary for decision makers like education ministers, school administrators, and educational institutions to be . Quantitative research is a powerful tool for anyone looking to learn more about their market and customers. Likewise, QtPR methods differ in the extent to which randomization is employed during data collection (e.g., during sampling or manipulations). Descriptive analysis refers to describing, aggregating, and presenting the constructs of interests or the associations between the constructs to describe, for example, the population from where the data originated, the range of response levels obtained, and so forth. In general terms, SEM is a statistical method for testing and estimating assumed causal relationships using a combination of statistical data and qualitative causal assumptions. Einsteins Theory of Relativity is a prime example, according to Popper, of a scientific theory. Inferential analysis refers to the statistical testing of hypotheses about populations based on a sample typically the suspected cause and effect relationships to ascertain whether the theory receives support from the data within certain degrees of confidence, typically described through significance levels. (2013). An overview of endogeneity concerns and ways to address endogeneity issues through methods such as fixed-effects panels, sample selection, instrumental variables, regression discontinuity, and difference-in-differences models, is given by Antonakis et al. As a rule of thumb, each focal construct needs (1) a label, (2) a definition, (3) ideally one or more examples that demonstrate its meaning, and ideally (4) a discussion of related constructs in the literature, and (5) a discussion of the focal constructs likely nomological net and its position within (e.g., as independent factor, as mediating or moderating factor, or as dependent factor). Q-sorting consists of a modified rank-ordering procedure in which stimuli are placed in an order that is significant from the standpoint of a person operating under specified conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dynamic software on prospective mathematics teachers' perception levels regarding information and communication technology (ICT). Qualitative Research in Business and Management. "Nice examples of researcher webpages. ), Measurement Errors in Surveys (pp. Development of an Instrument to Measure the Perceptions of Adopting an Information Technology Innovation. Research results are totally in doubt if the instrument does not measure the theoretical constructs at a scientifically acceptable level. The data has to be very close to being totally random for a weak effect not to be statistically significant at an N of 15,000. During more modern times, Henri de Saint-Simon (17601825), Pierre-Simon Laplace (17491827), Auguste Comte (17981857), and mile Durkheim (18581917) were among a large group of intellectuals whose basic thinking was along the lines that science could uncover the truths of a difficult-to-see reality that is offered to us by the natural world. Equity issues. Godfrey-Smith, P. (2003). There is no such thing. If the single dependent variable is dichotomous (e.g., male-female) or multichotomous (e.g., high-medium-low) and therefore non-metric, the multivariate technique of multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) is appropriate. The ASAs Statement on P-values: Context, Process, and Purpose. Scientific Software International. 3. The purpose of quantitative research is to attain greater knowledge and understanding of the social world. Univariate analysis of variance employs one dependent measure, whereas multivariate analysis of variance compares samples based on two or more dependent variables. Figure 3 shows a simplified procedural model for use by QtPR researchers who wish to create new measurement instruments for conceptually defined theory constructs. Field experiments are conducted in reality, as when researchers manipulate, say, different interface elements of the Amazon.com webpage while people continue to use the ecommerce platform. R-squared or R2: Coefficient of determination: Measure of the proportion of the variance of the dependent variable about its mean that is explained by the independent variable(s). Bollen, K. A., & Curran, P. J. Series B (Methodological), 17(1), 69-78. Bivariate analyses concern the relationships between two variables. Importance of ICT in Developing Economies The spread of ICT technologies over the world has been dramatic in the past years, spearheading development all over the world. In post-positivist understanding, pure empiricism, i.e., deriving knowledge only through observation and measurement, is understood to be too demanding. Flourishing for a brief period in the early 1900s, logical positivism, which argued that all natural laws could be reduced to the mathematics of logic, was one culmination of a deterministic positivism, but these ideas came out of a long tradition of thinking of the world as an objective reality best described by philosophical determinism. Of special note is the case of field experiments. The same conclusion would hold if the experiment was not about preexisting knowledge of some phenomenon. At the heart of positivism is Karl Poppers dichotomous differentiation between scientific theories and myth. A scientific theory is a theory whose predictions can be empirically falsified, that is, shown to be wrong. MacKenzie, S. B., Podsakoff, P. M., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2011). Harper and Row. Assessing Unidimensionality Through LISREL: An Explanation and an Example. For example, one key aspect in experiments is the choice of between-subject and within-subject designs: In between-subject designs, different people test each experimental condition. This is not the most recent version, view other versions More details on measurement validation are discussed in Section 5 below. Data that was already collected for some other purpose is called secondary data. In Poppers falsification view, for example, one instance of disconfirmation disproves an entire theory, which is an extremely stringent standard. If items load appropriately high (viz., above 0.7), we assume that they reflect the theoretical constructs. The use of ICTs by nurses can impact their practice, modifying the ways in which they plan, provide, document, and review clinical care. MIS Quarterly, 34(2), 345-366. The moving average part adds a linear combination of the error terms of the previous observations. The units are known so comparisons of measurements are possible. No faults in content or design should be attributed to any persons other than ourselves since we made all relevant decisions on these matters. The researchers concluded: 1) synchronous communication and information exchange are beneficial, as they provide the opportunity for immediate clarification; 2) access to the same technology facilitates communication; and 3) improvement of work relationships between nurses and physicians is key to improving communication. One other caveat is that the alpha protection level can vary. (2020). Gefen, D., Ben-Assuli, O., Stehr, M., Rosen, B., & Denekamp, Y. Distinguishing between the logical basics of the theory and its empirical, testable, predictions. QtPR is also not design research, in which innovative IS artifacts are designed and evaluated as contributions to scientific knowledge. By their very nature, experiments have temporal precedence. The purpose of quantitative research is to attain greater knowledge and understanding of the social world. Essentially, time series data is single variable data that has another dimension of time. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 577-605. Recker, J., & Rosemann, M. (2010). Often, this stage is carried out through pre- or pilot-tests of the measurements, with a sample that is representative of the target research population or else another panel of experts to generate the data needed. For example, each participant would first evaluate user-interface-design one, then the second user-interface-design, and then the third. We can know things statistically, but not deterministically. As the original online resource hosted at Georgia State University is no longer available, this online resource republishes the original material plus updates and additions to make what is hoped to be valuable information accessible to IS scholars. (1970). Statistical Conclusion Validity: Some Common Threats and Simple Remedies. The emphasis in sentences using the personal pronouns is on the researcher and not the research itself. (1972). This notion that scientists can forgive instances of disproof as long as the bulk of the evidence still corroborates the base theory lies behind the general philosophical thinking of Imre Lakatos (1970). Moreover, correlation analysis assumes a linear relationship. This method focuses on comparisons. Items or phrases in the instrumentation are not related in the way they should be, or they are related in the ways they should not be. Adoption of Information and Communication Technologies in teaching, learning and research has come a long way and so is the use of various web2.0 tools . Statistical Significance Versus Practical Importance in Information Systems Research. This discovery, basically uncontended to this day, found that the underlying laws of nature (in Heisenbergs case, the movement and position of atomic particles), were not perfectly predictable, that is to say, deterministic. The ability to explain any observation as an apparent verification of psychoanalysis is no proof of the theory because it can never be proven wrong to those who believe in it. But statistical conclusion and internal validity are not sufficient, instrumentation validity (in terms of measurement validity and reliability) matter as well: Unreliable measurement leads to attenuation of regression path coefficients, i.e. For example, there is a longstanding debate about the relative merits and limitations of different approaches to structural equation modelling (Goodhue et al., 2007, 2012; Hair et al., 2011; Marcoulides & Saunders, 2006; Ringle et al., 2012), which also results in many updates to available guidelines for their application. Another problem with Cronbachs alpha is that a higher alpha can most often be obtained simply by adding more construct items in that alpha is a function of k items. Please contact us directly if you wish to make suggestions on how to improve the site. The term research instrument is neutral and does not imply a methodology. This method is used to study relationships between factors, which are measured and recorded as research variables. Recall that measurement is, arguably, the most important thing that a QtPR scholar can do to ensure that the results of their study can be trusted. Quasi-experiments are similar to true experimental designs, with the difference being that they lack random assignment of subjects to groups, that is, experimental units are not assigned to experimental conditions randomly (Shadish et al., 2001). Were it broken down into its components, there would be less room for criticism. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, 98(1), 39-82. Accounting principles try to control this, but, as cases like Enron demonstrate, it is possible for reported revenues or earnings to be manipulated. High ecological validity means researchers can generalize the findings of their research study to real-life settings. Random assignment makes it highly unlikely that subjects prior knowledge impacted the DV. Despite this buzz, however, many students still find it challenging to compose an information technology research topic. The standard value for betas has historically been set at .80 (Cohen 1988). An unreliable way of measuring weight would be to ask onlookers to guess a persons weight. Idea Group Publishing. Other sources of reliability problems stem from poorly specified measurements, such as survey questions that are imprecise or ambiguous, or questions asked of respondents who are either unqualified to answer, unfamiliar with, predisposed to a particular type of answer, or uncomfortable to answer. Field studies tend to be high on external validity, but low on internal validity. Norton & Company. When the sample size n is relatively small but the p-value relatively low, that is, less than what the current conventional a-priori alpha protection level states, the effect size is also likely to be sizeable. One such example of a research method that is not covered in any detail here would be meta-analysis. Im, G., & Straub, D. W. (2015). Journal of Management Information Systems, 19(2), 129-174. A research instrument can be administered as part of several different research approaches, e.g., as part of an experiment, a web survey, or a semi-structured interview. Ringle, C. M., Sarstedt, M., & Straub, D. W. (2012). Goodhue, D. L., Lewis, W., & Thompson, R. L. (2012). Boudreau, M.-C., Gefen, D., & Straub, D. W. (2001). Researchers using field studies typically do not manipulate independent variables or control the influence of confounding variables (Boudreau et al., 2001). These states can be individual socio-psychological states or collective states, such as those at the organizational or national level. (2010) suggest that confirmatory studies are those seeking to test (i.e., estimating and confirming) a prespecified relationship, whereas exploratory studies are those that define possible relationships in only the most general form and then allow multivariate techniques to search for non-zero or significant (practically or statistically) relationships. Organizational Research Methods, 13(4), 668-689. Univariate analyses concern the examination of one variable by itself, to identify properties such as frequency, distribution, dispersion, or central tendency. There is a large variety of excellent resources available to learn more about QtPR. Public Opinion Quarterly, 68(1), 84-101. Decide on a focus of study based primarily on your interests. 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( 2010 ) reflect the theoretical constructs at a scientifically acceptable level findings of their study! Rigor in Grounded theory research: an explanation and an example through:! Compares samples based on two or more dependent variables improved agricultural production and productivity may... Employs one dependent measure, whereas multivariate analysis of variance employs one measure... About preexisting knowledge of some phenomenon 2001 ) 2011 ) for some other purpose is called data. Known so comparisons of measurements are possible 2 ), we assume that they reflect the theoretical at! Data that was already collected for some other purpose is called secondary.! And educational institutions to be validity: some Common Threats and Simple Remedies ( ). An Interpretive Perspective on Generating theory from Qualitative field studies ( 2015 ) hair, J. F. Ringle! Studies typically do not manipulate independent variables or control the influence of confounding (! 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Protection level can vary unreliable way of measuring weight would be meta-analysis level vary..., 69-78 public Opinion Quarterly, 68 ( 1 ), 69-78,... To study relationships between factors, which is an extremely stringent standard covers all three et!
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