RESEARCH IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

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RESEARCH INRESEARCH IN
INFORMATION SYSTEMSINFORMATION SYSTEMS
MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT
(IMS 603)(IMS 603)
Topic 4:Topic 4:
Research DesignResearch Design

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What is Research Design?What is Research Design?
Is the plan and structure ofIs the plan and structure of
investigation so conceived as toinvestigation so conceived as to
obtain answers to research questions.obtain answers to research questions.
The design is a plan for selectingThe design is a plan for selecting
the sources and types of informationthe sources and types of information
used to answer the researchused to answer the research
question.question.
It is a framework for specifying theIt is a framework for specifying the
relationship among the study’srelationship among the study’s
variablesvariables

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What is Research Design?What is Research Design?
Is the plan and structure ofIs the plan and structure of
investigation so conceived as toinvestigation so conceived as to
obtain answers to research questions.obtain answers to research questions.
It is a blueprint that outlines eachIt is a blueprint that outlines each
procedure from the hypotheses to theprocedure from the hypotheses to the
analysis of data.analysis of data.

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What is Research Design?What is Research Design?
The design module described whatThe design module described what
you are going to do in technicalyou are going to do in technical
terms.terms.
Provide information such as sampleProvide information such as sample
selection and size, data collectionselection and size, data collection
method, instrumentation, procedures,method, instrumentation, procedures,
and ethical requirements.and ethical requirements.

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Research DesignResearch Design
PROBLEMSTATEMENT
Purpose of
Study
•Exploration
•Description
•Testing
Types of
Investigation
•Relationship
•Correlation
•Group
differences
Unit of
Analysis
•Individual
•Dyads
•Groups
•Organizations
Sampling
Design
•What/Who?
•How many?
Study
Setting
•Contrived
•Noncontrived
Researcher
Interference
•Minimal
•Manipulation
/ control/
simulate
Time Horizon
•Cross-sectional
•Longitudinal
Measurement
•Items
•Scaling
•Categorizing
•Coding
Data
Collection
•Observation
•Interviews
•Physical
•Unobstrusive
DATAANALYSIS
•Feelfordata
•Goodnessofdata
•Testing

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What data to collect?What data to collect?
Issue of measurement:Issue of measurement:
Measurement must beMeasurement must be validvalid andand
reliablereliable
Source:Source:

LiteratureLiterature

Self-developSelf-develop

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MeasurementMeasurement
““Development of science is nothingDevelopment of science is nothing
but the development of measurement”but the development of measurement”
““Whenever you can, count”Whenever you can, count”
““Everything that countsEverything that counts
should be counted”should be counted”

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MeasurementsMeasurements
Empirical research often implies measurementsEmpirical research often implies measurements
Quality of information depends on theQuality of information depends on the
measurement processmeasurement process
Measurement Defined:Measurement Defined:

The mapping of some propertiesThe mapping of some properties

Rules for assigning numbers to empirical propertiesRules for assigning numbers to empirical properties

Rules: specify the procedure according to whichRules: specify the procedure according to which
numbers are to be assigned to objectsnumbers are to be assigned to objects

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Working DefinitionsWorking Definitions
 MeasurementMeasurement is a process through which theis a process through which the
kind or intensity of something is determined: i.e.kind or intensity of something is determined: i.e.
measurement ismeasurement is

the process of linking abstract concepts to empiricalthe process of linking abstract concepts to empirical
indicants.indicants.
 DimensionalityDimensionality refers to the number of differentrefers to the number of different
qualities inherent in a theoretical concept.qualities inherent in a theoretical concept.
 AA conceptconcept is a general idea referring to ais a general idea referring to a
characteristic of an individual, group, or a nation.characteristic of an individual, group, or a nation.

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Working DefinitionsWorking Definitions
Example:Example:
•
The Theoretical Concept:The Theoretical Concept: Social StatusSocial Status
•
Dimensions:Dimensions: Occupational Prestige,Occupational Prestige,
Ethnicity, Popularity, EducationalEthnicity, Popularity, Educational
Prestige, Financial Resources, and so on.Prestige, Financial Resources, and so on.

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How are Variables Measured?How are Variables Measured?
Objective – precise measurementObjective – precise measurement
Subjective – nebulous & abstract; e.g.Subjective – nebulous & abstract; e.g.
attitude, beliefs, involvement,attitude, beliefs, involvement,
satisfactionsatisfaction
Concept ofConcept of “Thirst”“Thirst”
Process of reducing abstract concept toProcess of reducing abstract concept to
measurable items is calledmeasurable items is called
OperationalizationOperationalization

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OperationalizationOperationalization
Concept
Operational
Definition
Dimensions
A generalized idea about a class of
objects, attributes, occurrences, or
processes e.g. sex, loyalty
Gives meaning to a concept by
specifying the activities or operations
necessary to measure it
Elements
Broad characteristics to ensure
coverage or scope of the concept
Specific items about the identified
measurement, which are easily
measured

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Operationalizing: LearningOperationalizing: Learning
Learning
Understanding Retention Application
Answer
questions
correctly
Give
appropriate
examples
Recall
material
after some
lapse
Solve
problems
applying
concepts
understood
and recalled
Integrate
with other
relevant
material
e e e e e
d d d

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Operationalizing: MotivationOperationalizing: Motivation
Achievement
Motivation
Driven by
work
Unable
to relax
Impatience with
ineffectiveness
Constantly
working
Reluctance
to take
time off
e
d
Seeks moderate
challenges
Seeks
feedback
Persist
despite
setbacks
Work at
home
No hobby
Swears at
small
mistakes
Does not like
to work with
incompetent
people
Opt for
challenging
not routine
Opt for
moderate
rather than
overwhelming
challenge
Ask for
feedback
about job
done
Wants
immediate
feedback

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Operational definition isOperational definition is
NOTNOT
CorrelateCorrelate
AntecedentsAntecedents
ConsequencesConsequences
ReasonsReasons
…… of the conceptof the concept


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ScalesScales
A tool or mechanism by whichA tool or mechanism by which
individuals are distinguished on howindividuals are distinguished on how
they differ from one anotherthey differ from one another
E.g. how do we distinguish individualE.g. how do we distinguish individual
A from B in terms of learning?A from B in terms of learning?
Also refers to level of measurementAlso refers to level of measurement

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Levels Of MeasurementsLevels Of Measurements
Empirical
Scale
Basic
Operations
Measures of
Typical use
Averages
Nominal Determination of
equality
Classification
Male-Female
Occupations
Mode
Ordinal Determination of
greater or less
Ranking
Preference
Attitude
Median
Interval Determination of
equality of intervals
Index numbers
Temperature
Mean
Ratio Determination of
equality of ratios
Sales
Unit produced
No. of customers
Mean
Geometric

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Nominal ScaleNominal Scale
Classificatory or Categorical
e.g. Sex – Male/Female
Colour
Mutually exclusive & collectively
exhaustive

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Ordinal ScaleOrdinal Scale
Categorize and rank
e.g. Preference in job attributes
Please rank from 1 most important to 5 least
important the following attributes:
Interacting with others
Using multiple skills
Completing a task from beginning to end
Serving others
Work independently

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Interval ScaleInterval Scale
Allows for measurement of distance between
two points on the scale
e.g. Preference in job attributes
Using a scale of 1 (strongly disagree), 2 (disagree), 3 (neither agree
nor disagree), 4 (agree) and 5 (strongly agree), please indicate the
extent of your agreement by circling the appropriate number.
The following are very important to me
Interacting with others 1 2 3 4 5
Using multiple skills 1 2 3 4 5
Complete a task from beginning to end 1 2 3 4 5
Serving others 1 2 3 4 5
Working independently 1 2 3 4 5

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Ratio ScaleRatio Scale
Has absolute zero; thus allowing for not
only differences but also proportions in the
differences
e.g. Number of years in the organization

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Properties of the 4 ScalesProperties of the 4 Scales
Characteristics
Difference Order Distance Unique
Origin
Measure of
Center
Measure of
Dispersion
Scale
Nominal
Ordinal
Interval
Ratio
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Mode
Median
Mean
Arithmetic
&Geometric
mean
Semi-
interquartile
range
Standard
deviation
Standard
deviation,
Coefficient
of variation

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Scaling MethodsScaling Methods
Rating Scales
•Dichotomous Scale
•Category Scale
•Likert scale
•Numerical Scale
•Semantic Differential Scale
•Itemized rating scale
•Graphic rating scale
Ranking Scales
•Paired Comparison
•Forced Choice
•Comparative Scale

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Examples: Rating ScaleExamples: Rating Scale
Likert
Do you own a car Yes NoDichotomous
Where do you stay Kedah Penang
Perlis
Category
My work is very interestingMy work is very interesting
Strongly agreeStrongly agree
AgreeAgree
Neither agree nor disagreeNeither agree nor disagree
DisagreeDisagree
Strongly disagreeStrongly disagree

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Examples: Rating ScaleExamples: Rating Scale
How would you rate your work partners
Responsive __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Unresponsive
Semantic
Differential
Numerical
Rating Scale
How please are you with your insurance agent
Extremely Extremely
Pleased __ __ __ __ __ __ __ displeased
Itemized
Rating Scale
Very netiher unlikely Very
Likely likely nor likely unlikely unlikely
1 2 3 4 5
I will be changing my job within the next 3 months __
I will take on new assignment in the near future __

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Examples: Rating ScaleExamples: Rating Scale
Graphic
Rating Scale
On a scale of 1
to 10 how
would you rate
your supervisor
1 Very bad
5 all right
10 Excellent

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Examples: Ranking ScaleExamples: Ranking Scale
When comparing a small number of objects,
respondents are asked to choose between
two objects at a time
Paired
Comparison
Forced Choice
Rank your preferences among the following magazines,
which you would like to subscribe to, 1 being the most
preferred choice and 4 being the least preferred:
Asiaweek __
Economist __
Fortune __
Newsweek __

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Examples: Ranking ScaleExamples: Ranking Scale
Comparative
Scale
In a volatile financial environment, compared to
stocks, how wise or useful is it to invest in bonds?
Please circle the appropriate response.
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