Identifying Hidden Communities of Interest with Topic-based Networks: A Case Study of the Community of Philosophers of Science (1930-2017)

2023 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Malaterre, C.; Lareau, F.

Abstract: Scientific networks are often investigated by means of citation analyses. Yet, ... Expand

Abstract: Scientific networks are often investigated by means of citation analyses. Yet, interpretation of such networks in terms of semantic (and often disciplinary) content heavily depends on supplementary knowledge, notably about author research specialties. Similar situations arise more generally in many types of social networks whose semantic interpretation relies on supplementary information. Here, author community networks are inferred from a topic model which provides direct insights into the semantic specificities of the identified "hidden communities of interest" (HCoI). Using a philosophy of science corpus of full-text articles (N=16,917), we investigate its underlying communities by measuring topic profile correlations between authors. A diachronic perspective is built by modeling the research networks over different time-periods and mapping genealogical relationships between communities. The results show a marked increase in philosophy of science communities over time and trace the progressive appearance of the specialization areas that structure the field today. Collapse

Topics: implicit knowledge social network

Methods: topic model Gensim literature filtering computational algorithm latent dirichlet allocation

Theories: game theory

Envisioning Digital Transformation: Advancing Theoretical Diversity

2023 | Journal of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Rowe, Frantz; Markus, M. Lynne

Abstract: ... Expand

Abstract: Collapse

Topics: digital transformation sensemaking internet of things robotic process automation digital innovation

Methods: theory development theoretical contribution literature study business process modeling grounded theory

Theories: theory of change strategic management theory complexity theory organizational behavior theory

The Philosopher's Corner: The Role of Theory in Information Systems Research

2021 | ACM SIGMIS Database | Citations: 0

Authors: Fink, Lior

Abstract: Theory has become critical in information systems (IS) research. Generally, empi ... Expand

Abstract: Theory has become critical in information systems (IS) research. Generally, empirical papers cannot be accepted for publication in IS journals unless the hypotheses or findings are grounded in theory. In this paper, I argue that IS has taken the role of theory too far, up to a point in which insisting on theory to explain observation may be costly to the advancement of IS research. It is suggested that the logic of discovery in scientific inquiry has been completely abandoned in favor of a logic of justification; that important accidental discoveries demonstrate the merit of discovery-oriented research; that the recent emergence of data science amplifies the value of discovery to theory development; and that the increasing length of empirical articles, partially as a consequence of the increasing importance of theory, may shift the limited attention of the community away from the phenomena of interest. Finally, a possible remedy for the overreliance on theory is offered to allow the IS community to open a door to discovery-oriented research that may yield long-term benefits and even strengthen its theoretical foundations. Collapse

Commentary on “Demystifying the Influential IS Legends of Positivism”

2020 | Journal of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Lee, Allen

Abstract: This commentary questions the argument made in the article, “Demystifying the In ... Expand

Abstract: This commentary questions the argument made in the article, “Demystifying the Influential IS Legends of Positivism” (Siponen & Tsohou, 2018). Contrary to the article, this commentary fully accepts that logical positivism as a school of thought in the philosophy of science has fallen into disrepute, points out that the IS researchers who have characterized positivism in their own ways never said that they were following logical positivism, interprets what these researchers had in mind when characterizing positivism in the ways that they did, and ponders what difference Siponen and Tsohou’s discussion on logical positivism actually makes to the future of IS research. Collapse

Methods: literature sample statistical hypothesis test

Demystifying the Influential IS Legends of Positivism: Response to Lee’s Commentary

2020 | Journal of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Siponen, Mikko; Tsohou, Aggeliki

Abstract: We respond to Lee’s (2020) commentary on our article “Demystifying the Influenti ... Expand

Abstract: We respond to Lee’s (2020) commentary on our article “Demystifying the Influential IS Legends of Positivism” (Siponen & Tsohou [S&T], 2018). Lee offers four arguments against our analyses and conclusions in S&T (2018). First, because logical positivism has been discredited, he contends it cannot be used as a normative standard in IS. We clarify that our conclusions in S&T (2018) point to (1) the lack of justification for certain IS beliefs, and (2) a misunderstanding rather than the legitimacy of LP as a philosophy of science. Second, Lee argues that IS researchers characterizing positivism never said they were following the tenets of logical positivism. We provide evidence to show that some influential papers on positivism in IS research indicated they were indeed following logical positivism. Third, Lee offers an alternative explanation for the emergence and nature of IS positivism. His explanation has merit, and it can be accommodated in S&T’s (2018) account of positivism in IS. Unfortunately, his explanation does not account for certain problems in the IS discipline’s use of positivism. In S&T (2018), we provide a plausible explanation for these problems. Finally, we discuss the implications of S&T’s (2018) findings for the need to better understand the philosophical assumptions underlying “IS positivism.” We also counter Lee’s arguments that our conclusions in S&T (2018) should not make a difference to the future of IS research. Collapse

Topics: systems analysis

Demystifying the Influential IS Legends of Positivism

2018 | Journal of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 14

Authors: Siponen, Mikko; Tsohou, Aggeliki

Abstract: Positivism has been used to establish a standard that Information Systems (IS) r ... Expand

Abstract: Positivism has been used to establish a standard that Information Systems (IS) research must meet to be scientific. According to such positivistic beliefs in IS, scientific research should: 1) be generalizable, 2) focus on stable independent variables, 3) have certain ontological assumptions, and 4) use statistical or quantitative methods rather than qualitative methods. We argue that logical positivist philosophers required none of these. On the contrary, logical positivist philosophers regarded philosophizing in general and ontological considerations in particular as nonsense. Moreover, the positivists’ preferred empirical research method was not a survey, but rather a qualitative observation recorded by field notes. In addition, positivist philosophers required neither statistical nor nonstatistical generalizability. At least some positivist philosophers also acknowledged the study of singular cases as being scientific. Many research orientations (e.g., single-setting research, examination of change, qualitative research) that are deemed “unscientific” by positivism in IS seem to be “scientific” (in principle) according to logical positivism. In turn, generally speaking, what has been justified as scientific by positivism in IS (e.g., requirements of statistical or nonstatistical generalizability, surveys, independent variables, ontological views) were either not required by logical positivists or were regarded as nonsensical by logical positivists. Furthermore, given that positivism is sometimes associated (or confused) with logical empiricism in IS, we also briefly discuss logical empiricism. Finally, realizing that certain influential, taken-forgranted assumptions that underlie IS research are unwarranted could have ground-breaking implications for future IS research. Collapse

Topics: ease of use

Methods: survey literature sample field study

REMOVING THE POSITIVIST STRAIGHT JACKET FROM INFORMATION SYSTEMS DESIGN SCIENCE RESEARCH

2012 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Levy, Matthew; Hirschheim, Rudy

Abstract: Information Systems Design Science (ISDS) as a research community is limited by ... Expand

Abstract: Information Systems Design Science (ISDS) as a research community is limited by a small number of research frameworks with considerable influence. The small triad of influential ISDS research, consisting of Walls, et al (1992), March and Smith (1995), and Hevner et al (2004) have primarily limited ISDS research to the positivist paradigm and the IT artefact. In contrast, Herbert Simon’s intentions for design science never had such restrictions and intended a broader perspective. This essay explores Simon’s intentions for design science, the Simonian stream of thought that includes The Sciences of the Artificial, as well as much of his most notable research, and offers an ‘informed view’ of design science in the tradition of Rortyian neopragmatism. Collapse

Topics: knowledge representation

Methods: design science design artifact ontological modelling

Panel: A call for action in tackling environmental sustainability through green information technologies and systems

2009 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Aier, Stephan; Fischer, Christian

Abstract: In parallel to widely accepted behavioural research, Design Research (DR) has em ... Expand

Abstract: In parallel to widely accepted behavioural research, Design Research (DR) has emerged in Information Systems. Nonetheless, the debate about the scientificity of DR is still ongoing. In the course of this debate, the role of scientific progress has hardly been discussed. But, doubtlessly, scientific progress is regarded as one of the main aims of science; science can even be defined by scientific progress. Philosophy of science has therefore developed a variety of concepts for scientific progress mostly adapted to explanatory and/or predictive theories. Nonetheless, the output of DR differs from those theories; therefore, concepts developed cannot be applied to DR without further ado. In this paper, we propose a first concept for scientific progress of DR artefacts. Because of the complexity of the field we firstly restrict to the research question: What is scientific progress of DR artefacts? Progress is commonly defined as a transition from step A to B whereby B is “better” than A. The aim of our research is to identify criteria for concretizing what is “better” in the context of DR and to define criteria of progressive DR artefacts. We thereby identified the following five criteria: utility, internal consistency, external consistency, scope, and efficiency. Collapse

Methods: design science synthesis design theory literature study theory development

The Anatomy of a Design Theory

2007 | Journal of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 1221

Authors: Gregor, Shirley; Jones, David

Abstract: Design work and design knowledge in Information Systems (IS) is important for bo ... Expand

Abstract: Design work and design knowledge in Information Systems (IS) is important for both research and practice. Yet there has been comparatively little critical attention paid to the problem of specifying design theory so that it can be communicated, justified, and developed cumulatively. In this essay we focus on the structural components or anatomy of design theories in IS as a special class of theory. In doing so, we aim to extend the work of Walls, Widemeyer and El Sawy (1992) on the specification of information systems design theories (ISDT), drawing on other streams of thought on design research and theory to provide a basis for a more systematic and useable formulation of these theories. We identify eight separate components of design theories: (1) purpose and scope, (2) constructs, (3) principles of form and function, (4) artifact mutability, (5) testable propositions, (6) justificatory knowledge (kernel theories), (7) principles of implementation, and (8) an expository instantiation. This specification includes components missing in the Walls et al. adaptation of Dubin (1978) and Simon (1969) and also addresses explicitly problems associated with the role of instantiations and the specification of design theories for methodologies and interventions as well as for products and applications. The essay is significant as the unambiguous establishment of design knowledge as theory gives a sounder base for arguments for the rigor and legitimacy of IS as an applied discipline and for its continuing progress. A craft can proceed with the copying of one example of a design artifact by one artisan after another. A discipline cannot. Collapse

Topics: risk management knowledge representation IT development project usability productivity

Methods: design theory design artifact design science theory development action research

ITS THAT OLD TIME INSTITUTION AND ITS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!

2002 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Ilie, Virginia; Courtney, James

Abstract: Originally, institutional theory posited that cultural change emanates from the ... Expand

Abstract: Originally, institutional theory posited that cultural change emanates from the interplay of technological innovations and cultural institutions, learned behaviors verified by ceremonial processes. Ceremonies derive their legitimacy from myths and legends, and are static and resistant to change; things are done the way the ancestors did them. Technological innovations provide the ability to do new things or to do old things in new ways, and are thus dynamic, and foster institutional change. There is a never-ending interplay between the forward push of technology and the backward resistance of institutions and ceremonies. Ceremony and technology are opposite sides of the same coin and inextricably bound in complex ways. Some of the current literature seems to over-simplify institutionalism, producing misleading results regarding its relevance to modern problems. This paper reviews the “old time” institutionalism and applies it to the conduct of information systems research. It is shown that logical positivism is the mythical basis of North American IS research, that statistical methodologies are its tools, the scientific method is its ceremony, and that the process of “scientific” IS research wastes scarce intellectual capacity, which only ensures its scarcity. Collapse

Topics: digital innovation

Theories: institutional theory