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Investigating the epistemological stances implicit in ISAD approaches

Vivienne Waller (Department of Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia)
Robert B. Johnston (Department of Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia)
Simon K. Milton (Department of Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia)

Journal of Enterprise Information Management

ISSN: 1741-0398

Article publication date: 15 February 2008

671

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the differences in epistemological underpinnings of conventional information systems analysis and design (ISAD) approaches (such as structured system and analysis design methodologies) and a recently developed situated ISAD approach.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical investigation involved constructing a simulated field situation to allow a conventionally trained IS analyst to analyse the same case as had been previously analysed by applying the situated ISAD methodology.

Findings

While the conventional approach focuses on articulated knowledge and observes the system under study with a detached stance, the situated approach includes tacit knowledge and recognises the importance of the environment. The situated analyst is immersed in the system, attempting to take the subject position of an actor in the system, while also maintaining some analytical distance.

Research limitations/implications

The research method and framework presented is a novel way to compare the epistemological underpinnings of other systems analysis and design methodologies. Validity issues are explicitly addressed in the paper; although it is based on a single case, the fact that it is a real‐world problem gives it high external validity.

Practical implications

The investigation is based on an actual system design case and shows that, in analysis and design, the different epistemological underpinnings affect what is identified as a problem and hence the type of solution proposed.

Originality/value

There has been little previous work comparing epistemological commitments of alternative ISAD methodologies as they are played out in actual application. This paper makes a significant contribution to the theoretical foundations of IS.

Keywords

Citation

Waller, V., Johnston, R.B. and Milton, S.K. (2008), "Investigating the epistemological stances implicit in ISAD approaches", Journal of Enterprise Information Management, Vol. 21 No. 2, pp. 125-138. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410390810851381

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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