Research:
Streams
My two main research
streams focus on the creation and use of information systems.
In addition to these streams, I have a
third research stream that examines methodological and meta-theoretical issues in my field. Some of this work extends research in my other two streams, while some of it makes more general contributions.
I summarize my research streams briefly below.
Research Stream 1: System Usage
-
Long-term
goal:
- To
reach a deep understanding of how to conceptualize and
measure system usage by individuals and collectives, and understand
how it leads to consequences, both intended and unintended.
-
Contributions
to date:
- Provided
one of the first concerted theoretical attempts to define system
usage and to present an approach for its conceptualization and measurement.
-
Theories employed:
- Measurement
theory · Adaptive structuration theory · Theories of learning, involvement,
and flow · Task-technology fit theory · Interdependence theory ·
Multilevel theory·
-
Methods and techniques
employed:
- Laboratory
experiments · Field studies · Structural equation modeling · Hierarchical
linear modeling
Research
Stream 2: Systems Analysis and Design
-
Long-term
goal:
- To
identify the primary representational principles that analysts and
designers should use to ensure that a new system meets users' requirements.
-
Contributions
to date:
- Demonstrated
how a joint consideration of ontological and cognitive principles
can improve both systems analysis (e.g., in object-oriented conceptual
modeling) and systems design (e.g., in the design of web query systems).
-
Theories employed:
- Ontological
theory · Mental model theory · Human problem-solving · Cognitive fit · Intelligent
systems
-
Methods and techniques
employed:
- Laboratory
experiments · Design research · MANOVA
Research
Stream 3: Methodological and Meta-Theoretical Issues
-
Long-term
goal:
- To
help improve research practices in my discipline, e.g., theory building, research design, and measurement.
-
Contributions
to date:
- Developed a framework to help clarify different types of theory building, offered guidelines for improving research design in conceptual modeling research, and developed an approach for reducing method bias in construct measurements
-
Theories employed:
- Measurement theory · Philosophy of science · Hermeneutics · Philosophical ontology · Epistemology
-
Methods and techniques
employed:
- Literature reviews · Experiments
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