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Towards the improved treatment of generalization of knowledge claims in IS research : drawing general conclusions from samples

Seddon, Peter B. and Scheepers, Rens 2012, Towards the improved treatment of generalization of knowledge claims in IS research : drawing general conclusions from samples, European journal of information systems, vol. 21, pp. 6-21.

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Title Towards the improved treatment of generalization of knowledge claims in IS research : drawing general conclusions from samples
Author(s) Seddon, Peter B.
Scheepers, Rens
Journal name European journal of information systems
Volume number 21
Start page 6
End page 21
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan Ltd.
Place of publication Basingstoke, England
Publication date 2012
ISSN 0960-085X
Keyword(s) research methodology
other-settings generalization
external validity
sample
P-value
Bayesian statistics
Summary This paper presents a framework for justifying generalization in information systems (IS) research. First, using evidence from an analysis of two leading IS journals, we show that the treatment of generalization in many empirical papers in leading IS research journals is unsatisfactory. Many quantitative studies need clearer definition of populations and more discussion of the extent to which ‘significant’ statistics and use of non-probability sampling affect support for their knowledge claims. Many qualitative studies need more discussion of boundary conditions for their sample-based general knowledge claims. Second, the proposed new framework is presented. It defines eight alternative logical pathways for justifying generalizations in IS research. Three key concepts underpinning the framework are the need for researcher judgment when making any claim about the likely truth of sample-based knowledge claims in other settings; the importance of sample representativeness and its assessment in terms of the knowledge claim of interest; and the desirability of integrating a study’s general knowledge claims with those from prior research. Finally, we show how the framework may be applied by researchers and reviewers. Observing the pathways in the framework has potential to improve both research rigour and practical relevance for IS research.
Language eng
Field of Research 080699 Information Systems not elsewhere classified
Socio Economic Objective 970108 Expanding Knowledge in the Information and Computing Sciences
HERDC Research category C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal
Copyright notice ©2011, Operational Research Society Ltd. All rights reserved
Persistent URL http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30036689

Document type: Journal Article
Collections: Faculty of Business and Law
School of Information Systems
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