Year: 2001
Type: article
Abstract: Information systems research continues to be criticised for the fundamental gap between theory and practice. Critics argue that this is largely the result of the methodological inadequacy of the dominant positivist paradigm to the ontological nature of the subject. Studies which recognise the applied nature of the information systems discipline and thus are committed to the production of practically relevant knowledge have adopted action and intervention forms of research. Despite their strength in producing practically relevant knowledge, such studies are scarce because they are rejected for their lack of scientific credence. This paper introduces the participatory worldview as a research paradigm that provides the philosophical legitmisation for action research approaches. The authors present their experiences with participatory information systems inquiry and illustrate the application of participatory research principles in practice.
Authors: Karin Breu, Joe Peppard
Institution: Cranfield University
Language: English
Subfield: Management Information Systems
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1524204897