1. Analytical methods for Information Systems Professionals
Week 8 Lecture 2
Qualitative Data collection
Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

2. To give an overview of qualitative methods of data collection
Today’s objectives
To give an overview of qualitative methods of data collection
To introduce you to Soft Systems Methodology as a form of Action research
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3. Senge, P. M. (1992). The fifth discipline: the art and practice of the learning organisation. Sydney, Random House.
Peter Senge is Director of the Systems Thinking and Organisational Learning Program at the Sloan School of Management, MIT
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4. Qualitative Methods of Data collection
Field Research
Rich pictures
Interviewing and Focus Groups
Participant observation
Case study
Grounded Theory
Ethnography
Delphi
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5. An inquiry into real life situations
Field Research
An inquiry into real life situations
Studying behaviour patterns and reasons for them
Generally, but not always begins with some general notions or tentative hypothesis
Can be descriptive, exploratory or hypothesis testing
Uses a variety of methods
comprehensive
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6. Interviewing and Focus Groups
Observing vs questioning
qualitative vs Quantitative interviewing
Interviewer has a general plan but not structured questions
The answers to questions will shape subsequent questions
Focus groups
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7. Participant observation
Observes communication and interaction in an unstructured environment
Studies everyday life events, as they are experienced and understood by the participants
Sees the reality constructed by the participants through their interaction and communication.
Observes the natural environment of the participants without changing it.
The design is modified as observation is caried out
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8. Case Study
Study of an example (case) of a social phenomenon to understand the phenomenon.
Eg a community,
Can be seen as a data collection method or a research model dealing with all aspects of research.
Used in quantitative research to gather information to help develop hypotheses, stands alone in qualitative research.
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9. Can be a period of time or a group of people
Case Study
Can be a period of time or a group of people
Encompasses naturalism, openness, communication and interpretation
Chief purpose is often descriptive
Can be used to test theory – extended case study – looking for theoretical gaps
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10. Combines the traditions of positivisim and interactionism
Grounded theory
Combines the traditions of positivisim and interactionism
Attempts to derive theories from an anlysis of patterns, themes and common categories discovered in observational data.
Is a common way of combining qualitative and quantitative research
Induction, deduction, verification
Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

11. Ethnography
Places groups or units of analysis in the context of the whole culture, studying them in a holisitic context
Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .

12. Experts offer information, judgements, predictions
Delphi
Experts offer information, judgements, predictions
Researcher summarises the information
Offers the summary to the experts for comments and discussion
Differences and deviations are reduced iteratively through interview, discussion and consideration until something approaching consensus is reached
Can use interviews or or questionnaires
Was used in WW2for prediction
See the article in your handbook on Identifying software Project Risks
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13. Soft Systems Methodology (SSM)
Is a form of action research which aims to ais understanding problem situation in human activity systems
Includes all actors (including the analyst (researcher) in exploring and understanding the problem situation
Analysts are not objective outsideers
The process is iterative
Different to structured systems approaches
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14. Socio-techical systems
SSM
Socio-techical systems
Hardware
Software
Techniques
People
Processes
information
reflection/review
Modelling
Peter Checkland
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15. Effective technical and human implemetnation of computer based systems
E.T.H.I.C.S
Effective technical and human implemetnation of computer based systems
Enid Mumford
Tavistock
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16. Rich Pictures
A pictorial caricature of an organisation to help explain what the organisation is about
Defines
structure,
process,
Relationships
Contextual information – subjective and objective
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17. Is a common “map” of a situation which participants can contribute to
Identifies issues, roles and stakeholders
Starts with few, if any assumptions is unstructured
Sumarises the situation
Picture can be decomposed for more detail
Analysis helps move from what is the problem to what can be done
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18. Weltanschanug – world view
Rich Pictures
Root Definitions
who is doing
What
For whom
Who is acountable
What assumptions are being made
What is the environment
CATWOE
Actor
Transformation
Client
Owner
Weltanschanug – world view
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19. When the root defintion is completed, Build a conceptual model
Rich Pictures
When the root defintion is completed,
Build a conceptual model
Design
Plans
Compare the conceptual model with reality
Eg compare stakeholders views
Identify change
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20. Theoretical perspective Methodology Methods
Four elements of
research
Epistemology
Theoretical perspective
Methodology
Methods
Objectivist = meaning and reality exist apart from anybody being conscious of them Constructivist = meaning derives from our interaction with the world
Subjectivist = meaning is imposed on an object by the subject
What do we recognise as knowledge
How do we know what we know?
What is “true”
Positivist
Interpretive
Critical
The philosphical stance that underlies our chosen methodology – our assumptions
Plan of action, research design and why
Techniques
Surveys
Interviews
observation
Introduction . Problem . Literature . Data . Quantitative . Qualitative . Presentation . Cases .