scholarly journals Use of Activity Theory for Critical Data Analysis in Information Systems Research

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia (Trish) M Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Activity Theory ◽  
Critical Data ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Information Systems Research

scholarly journals Handling Interpretation and Representation in Multilingual Research: A Meta-study of Pragmatic Issues Resulting from the Use of Multiple Languages in a Qualitative Information Systems Research Work

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilse Baumgartner
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Qualitative Information ◽  
Research Product ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Information Systems Research ◽  
Multilingual Research

Although the number of multilingual qualitative research studies appears to be growing, investigations concerned with methodological issues arising from the use of several languages within a single research are still very scarce. Most of these seem to deal exclusively with issues related to the use of interpreters and translators in qualitative research (e.g., Temple & Edwards, 2002; Temple, Edwards & Alexander, 2006; Edwards, 1998; Temple & Young 2004). Methodological investigations going beyond pure translation dilemmas in qualitative research are, however, almost non-existent. The reason for this seems to be simple: the situation where the researcher possesses mother-tongue fluency in all or most of the languages used in a particular study – and, thus, is in a position to probe interpretational and representational problematics related to the multilingual character of this study with an adequate depth – is very rare. The author of this paper has used her recent qualitative research work in the area of Information Systems as the basis for a meta-study in which she investigates selected methodological issues resulting from the use of five different languages within the frame of a single research work. This paper specifically focuses on challenges encountered and observations made concerning three different issues, namely, how to choose the interview languages in a situation where the prospective interviewees have very diverse ethnic backgrounds, which languages to use for the data analysis in a situation where the data has been collected in several different languages, and how to determine the most appropriate stage of the research for transitioning from the languages used to collect and analyze the data to the language of the final research product. Although this meta-study is based on an Information Systems research work and is, thus, specifically addressing qualitative Information Systems researchers conducting multilingual research and encountering language-related issues in their work, this study might also be of interest to any researcher using qualitative research methodologies and employing more than one language to collect data, conduct data analysis, and craft the final research product.

scholarly journals Activity theory in Information Systems Research

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stan Karanasios ◽  
David Allen
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Activity Theory ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Information Systems Research

scholarly journals Activity Theory as a Challenge to Systems Design

1990 ◽  
Vol 19 (334) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Bødker
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Activity Theory ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Theoretical Foundation ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Design Practice ◽  
Design Change ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Information Systems Research ◽  
Help Systems

This paper suggests an improvement of the theoretical foundation of information systems research of the 1990s. This foundation is found in human activity theory. The paper deals with how human activity theory can help systems design change, theoretically and practically. Applying activity theory to systems design, certain cornerstones become apparent, on which future systems design practice and research need to build. The paper will discuss these cornerstones, and the implications of the new understanding for design practice and research.

Activity Theory as a Theoretical Foundation for Information Systems Research

2011 ◽  
pp. 192-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Ditsa
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Activity Theory ◽  
Theoretical Foundation ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Information Systems Research ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Information Systems Use ◽  
Holistic Research

Theoretical models from social psychology have been widely used by information systems (IS) researchers as theoretical foundations to explain and predict information systems use. Unfortunately, most of these models used ignore the social context in which IS is used, but rather focused mainly on the individual and the technology. History and time are as well ignored in most cases. The set of philosophical concepts presented by Activity Theory makes it possible to marry the human aspects and the technological aspects of information systems into a more holistic research approach in information systems. This chapter presents the basic concepts of Activity Theory and its potential as a theoretical foundation for information systems use research.

A Bridge Too Far?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte P. Lee ◽  
Kjeld Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Science And Technology Studies ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cooperative Work ◽  
Computer Supported Cooperative Work ◽  
Practical Action ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Information Infrastructures ◽  
Information Systems Research ◽  
Critical Investigation

The study of computing infrastructures has grown significantly due to the rapid proliferation and ubiquity of large-scale IT-based installations. At the same time, recognition has also grown of the usefulness of such studies as a means for understanding computing infrastructures as material complements of practical action. Subsequently the concept of “infrastructure” (or “information infrastructures,” “cyberinfrastructures,” and “infrastructuring”) has gained increasing importance in the area of Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) as well as in neighboring areas such as Information Systems research (IS) and Science and Technology Studies (STS). However, as such studies have unfolded, the very concept of “infrastructure” is being applied in different discourses, for different purposes, in myriad different senses. Consequently, the concept of “infrastructure” has become increasingly muddled and needs clarification. The chapter presents a critical investigation of the vicissitudes of the concept of “infrastructure” over the last 35 years.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document