Researching Information Systems and Computing

Briony J Oates was Professor of Inquiry Methods in the School of Computing at Teesside University in the UK. Her research interests ranged widely, from digital art to IT systems project failures to evidence-based practice in information systems and software engineering. She was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in recognition of her pioneering work in the teaching of research methods to computing and information systems students. She has developed and taught many modules in research methods for both undergraduates and postgraduates. She has supervised numerous masters dissertations, been the Director of Studies for a large number of PhD students, and been the external examiner for many doctoral theses. She has now retired and moved to the Outer Hebrides. She retains an interest in research methods and how they are taught in information systems and computing, but now enjoys spending most of her time on artistic and outdoor pursuits.

Introduction
The Purpose and Products of Research
Overview of the Research Process
Internet Research
Participants and Research Ethics
Reviewing the Literature
Surveys
Design and Creation
Experiments
Case Studies
Action Research
Ethnography
Interviews
Observations
Questionnaires
Documents
Quantitative Data Analysis
Qualitative Data Analysis
Philosophical Paradigms
Positivism
Alternative Philosophical Paradigms
Presentation of the Research
Final Words