scholarly journals On improving the understanding of software requirements by clients

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jeanette Wendy Wing
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Software Requirements ◽  
Housing Estate ◽  
Critical Systems ◽  
Main Study ◽  
Action Design Research ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Systems Practice

Motivated by the literature regarding the need for further research on client participation in software development, a systemic framework for the understanding of client requirements in Information System development projects is developed. This systemic framework is particularly relevant for project contexts characterized by diversity of stakeholder values and complexity. To address this complexity, research led to the selection of methods from three systems methodologies and the conclusion for the need to mix them in the process of requirements understanding by clients. The mixing of methods from various methodologies is justified through the principles of Critical Systems Practice, and the process of their use is guided by Action Design Research. In spite of the strong research tradition associated with Soft Systems Methodology and the growing interest in the Work System Method, the level of use of these by practitioners is not high because complex project situations require harnessing of the strengths of more than one methodology. The proposed framework also includes a third system methodology Critical Systems Heuristics. This study demonstrated how the meta-methodology Critical Systems Practice is applied in justifying the selection and the mix of methods from the above three methodologies in the proposed framework. The principles of design science were applied, where the framework is the design artifact that is developed. Action Research was used to guide evaluation of the framework in the pilot study. The framework was applied in a pilot study to the understanding of the management of a Wellness Centre which operates within the Kenneth Gardens Housing Estate, through action research. As a result of the pilot study some modifications were made to the framework and the process of its implementation. The modified framework was applied in a further main study concerning the management of the Kenneth Gardens Housing Estate which has a broader context than the pilot study. The contribution of this research to the field of Information Systems is both theoretical and practical. One theoretical contribution is provision of a framework for clearer understanding of software requirements by clients. The second theoretical contribution is that Action Design Research is enhanced by adding proper justification for the methods included in the framework through the application of Critical Systems Thinking and Critical Systems Practice. The practical contribution is through the demonstration of Action Design Research being applied to a real-world problem in both the pilot and the main study.

scholarly journals Towards Participatory Action Design Research: Adapting Action Research and Design Science Research Methods for Urban Informatics

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Bilandzic ◽  
John Venable
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Design Science Research ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Action Design Research ◽  
Urban Informatics ◽  
Research And Design

This paper proposes a new research method, Participatory Action Design Research (PADR), for studies in the Urban Informatics (UI) domain. PADR supports UI research in developing new technological means (e.g. using mobile and ubiquitous computing) to resolve contemporary issues or support everyday life in urban environments. Situated in a socio-technical context, UI requires a close dialogue between social and design-oriented fields of research as well as their methods. PADR combines Action Research and Design Science Research, both of which are used in Information Systems, another field with a strong socio-technical emphasis, and further adapts them to the cross-disciplinary needs and research context of UI.

A Systemic Framework for Facilitating Better Client-Developer Collaboration in Complex Projects

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-60
Author(s):  
Jeanette Wendy Wing ◽  
Doncho Petkov ◽  
Theo N Andrew
Keyword(s):  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Software Requirements ◽  
Critical Systems ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Stakeholder Values ◽  
Complex Projects ◽  
System Method ◽  
Systems Practice

The article presents a framework for facilitating better collaboration between clients and developers in software requirements formulation. A mix of systems methods from soft systems methodology, critical systems heuristics and the work system method is justified through the principles of critical systems practice. It is particularly relevant for project contexts characterized by diversity of stakeholder values and significant complexity. The contribution of the article for the field of Information Systems is in the proposal of a systemic framework for promoting organizational learning about software requirements formulation. From a practical point of view it reduces the complexity of using systems thinking in software development as the selected methods are simpler to use than the whole system methodologies to which they belong.

Do I Shoot Faster Because I Am Thinking about an Outgroup or a Threatening Outgroup?

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Mange ◽  
Keren Sharvit ◽  
Nicolas Margas ◽  
Cécile Sénémeaud
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Target Group ◽  
Main Study ◽  
Priming Effects ◽  
Males And Females

Abstract. This research examines if aggressive responses through a shooter bias are systematically generated by priming outgroups or if a threat stereotypically associated with the primed outgroup is required. First, a pilot study identified outgroups stereotypically associated and not associated with threat. Afterwards, the main study included a manipulation of target group accessibility – ingroup versus nonthreatening outgroup versus threatening outgroup. Following exposure to primes of the group categories, the participants in all conditions played a shooter game in which the targets were males and females with ambiguous ethnicity and religion. Results demonstrated that while only priming of an outgroup stereotypically associated with threat elicits aggressive responses, priming of both nonthreatening and threatening outgroups leads to an increase in the ability to distinguish between stimuli compared to ingroup priming. These effects are discussed in terms of priming effects, dimensions of threat, and possible interpretations of this ability increase.

ERRATA NOTES: Action Design Research

MIS Quarterly ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
DeGross
Keyword(s):  
Design Research ◽  
Action Design Research

Comparison of simulation observer tools on engagement and maximising learning: a pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Johnston ◽  
Naomi Tutticci ◽  
Karen Theobald ◽  
Joanne Ramsbotham
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Clinical Reasoning ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Reasoning Ability ◽  
Main Study ◽  
Standard Observer ◽  
Learning Behaviours ◽  
And Training

Abstract Objectives This pilot study examined if the Clinical Reasoning Observer Worksheet (CROW) compared to a standard observer worksheet used during simulation, would enhance nursing students active learning behaviours and perceptions of clinical reasoning ability. Methods This pilot study was undertaken to test the design and processes for a future larger study and reports on preliminary evidence of efficacy of recruitment procedures and instrumentation in addition to student’s learning outcomes. Results There was little overall difference in outcomes between groups who used either simulation observer worksheet. Overall, participants who used either worksheet perceived their ability to apply clinical reasoning to an episode of patient care increased. Conclusions Modifications were identified as necessary for a larger study including changes to instrumentation, method of survey delivery and training of simulation facilitators. A more definitive evaluation will be achievable with a larger group of students in a main study with the suggested modifications.

scholarly journals The Effect of State Gratitude on Cognitive Flexibility: A Within-Subject Experimental Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 413
Author(s):  
Andree Hartanto ◽  
Nadia C. H. Ong ◽  
Wee Qin Ng ◽  
Nadyanna M. Majeed
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Positive Emotion ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Experimental Approach ◽  
Main Study ◽  
Considerable Research ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
The Relationship

Considerable research has examined the relationship between positive emotion and cognitive flexibility. Less is known, however, about the causal relationship between discrete positive emotions, specifically gratitude, and cognitive flexibility. Given that different positive emotions may dissimilarly affect cognitive functioning, we sought to examine the effect of state gratitude on cognitive flexibility. A pilot study with ninety-five participants was employed to ensure the effectiveness of our gratitude manipulation. One hundred and thirteen participants were recruited for the main study, which utilized a within-subject experimental approach. After the manipulation, participants completed a well-established task-switching paradigm, which was used to measure cognitive flexibility. Contrary to our hypotheses, we did not find any evidence that state gratitude may enhance cognitive flexibility. The current study identified some boundary conditions around the potential benefits of the experience of gratitude.

Sex Differences in Perceived Attributes of Computer-Mediated Communication

2003 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 231-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vernon B. Harper
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Communication Competence ◽  
Communication Studies ◽  
Main Study ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Competence Scale ◽  
Strongly Agree

Researchers have pointed to the influence of sex with respect to the attributes of the computer medium. The author elaborates upon possible sex differences in reference to perceived attributes of the computer medium, i.e., Richness, Accessibility, Velocity, Interactivity, Plasticity, and Immediacy. Data from both a pilot and main study are reported and interpreted. The pilot study included 78 participants, while the main study involved 211 The independent samples were composed of Communication Studies students enrolled at two Mid-Atlantic universities. Nine items with anchors of 1: strongly disagree and 7: strongly agree were taken from the 2000 Computer Mediated Communication Competence Scale of Spitzberg to assess the attributes of computer-mediated interaction. The results indicate that women scored higher than men on perceptions of Accessibility, Velocity, Interactivity, and Immediacy.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document