Positivism in information systems: investigating paradox between theory and practice in IS researches Online publication date: Sat, 07-Jun-2014
by Amir Manian; Mona Jamporazmey; Mohammad Hussein Sherkat
International Journal of Business Information Systems (IJBIS), Vol. 16, No. 1, 2014
Abstract: Beliefs and assumptions of IS researchers significantly affect research manner. Any research project is based on philosophical assumptions about world nature and how to gather knowledge about world. Often, these assumptions have been considered implicit and incontestable. By considering many researches conducted in IS field, little researches has done to discuss about research foundations and philosophical grounds. Paradigm gives solidarity to IS domain and distinguishes it from other field. The main objective of this paper is to examine effect of positivism in IS and identified strength aspects and challenges of applying positivism in this domain. Finally, the paper seeks to answer the paradox between theory and practice in philosophical assumptions in IS field. To gain this goal, the meta-analysis of articles related to IS paradigm is conducted. The results show while many IS philosophical papers criticised applying positivism in IS, yet this paradigm remain prevailing approach.
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