(quaN. / quaL.) Journal Old New Single Multiple Single Multiple New

Knowing Your Research
Contributions
Eldon Y. Li
University Chair Professor
College of Commerce
National Chengchi University
http://www.calpoly.edu/~eli
*** All right reserved. Video or audio recording is prohibited. Reference to this document
should be made as follows: Li, E.Y. “Knowing your research contributions,” unpublished
lecture, National Chengchi University, 2008. ***
Copyright © E.Y. Li
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Agenda
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Dimensions of contribution
Choice of dimensions
Formulating a good paper
Synthesizing the literature
Classifying journals
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Dimensions of Contribution
Definitions:
1. Paradigm
2. Theory
3. Concept
4. Model
5. Construct
6. Ontology
7. Conceptual model
8. Theoretical model
9. Triangulation
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Dimensions of Contribution
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Problem
Context
Unit
Paradigm / Theory / Concept
Model
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•
Construct
Ontology
6. Method
7. Data (number / text)
8. Time
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Types of Problem
• Problem (phenomenon / story)
– New / novel / community interest
– Old (longitudinal, meta analysis)
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Types of Context
• Context
– Location / culture / policy
• Single (the same)
• Multiple (different)
– Gender
• Male
• Female
– Other context
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Unit (Granularity) of Analysis
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Individual
Group
Organization
Enterprise
Industry
Nation
Region
World
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Paradigm / Theory / Concept
• Paradigm / Theory / Concept
– Old vs. New
– Single vs. Multiple
– Incremental vs. Radical change of theory
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Copyright © E.Y. Li
Waterfall vs. Spiral software development
Data center vs. End user computing
Pull vs. Push manufacturing process
Output-driven vs. Process-driven quality control
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Model - Type of Innovation
Linkage
Between
Constructs
(Ontology)
Core Concepts (Constructs)
Reinforced
Changed
Same
Incremental Innovation
• Replicate results for the focal
relationship(s) in a new context
• Extend by adding peripheral construct(s)
Modular Innovation
Define, measure, or
analyze one or more core
constructs in a new way
Different
Architectural Innovation
• Examine a new situation or context in
which the nature of the focal
relationship(s) may be different
• Examine the role of a new construct that
may moderate the nature of the focal
relationship(s)
Radical Innovation
Introduce a new
conceptualization that
replaces and changes how
we think of the old
construct(s) and
relationship(s)
Source: Voss, G.B. Formulating interesting research questions. Academy of Marketing Science. Journal, 31(3), Summer 2003, pp. 356-359.
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Method / Process / Technology /
Algorithm
• Single vs. Multiple (Triangulation) vs.
Integrated
• Old vs. New
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Types of Data
• Quantitative (empirical / experimental data)
• Qualitative (field study / case data)
• Mixed
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Types of Time Period
• Single period, cross-sectional
• Multiple periods:
– Intervals (longitudinal)
– Series (time series)
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Choices of Dimensions
Integrated
/ New
A
A+
Multiple
A
A
Method
Model
Single
Single
Multiple
Incremental
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Modular Architectural
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New
Radical Innovation
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Formulating a Good Paper
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Novel problem
New perspective
Innovative model
Disciplined methods
Rich data
Rigorous effort
Eloquent writing style
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Formulating an Ideal Paper
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Different problem / novel story
Multiple contexts
Multiple units
New paradigm
New theory / concept
Radical model innovation
Integrated or new method / process / technology /
algorithm
• Mixed data (qualitative and quantitative data)
• Multiple time periods (longitudinal or series)
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Synthesizing the Literature
World
Region
Nation
Industry
Enterprise
Organization
Group
Individual
Series
Intervals
One
Integrated / New
Multiple
Single
Radical Innovation
Architectural Innovation
Modular Innovation
Incremental Innovation
New
Multiple
Single
Single
Multiple
New
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Davis [1]
Old
Citation
Unit (quaN. / quaL.)
Time
Method
Model
Context
Theory
Problem
Classifying the SSCI Journals
Problem
Context
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World
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Region
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Nation
CACM
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Industry
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Enterprise
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Organization
HBR
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Group
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Individual
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Series
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Unit (quaN. / quaL.)
Intervals
AMJ
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Time
One
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Integrated / New
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Multiple
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DSS
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Single
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Davis [1]
Radical Innovation
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Architectural Innovation
MgtSci
Modular Innovation
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Journal
Method
Model
Incremental Innovation
Multiple
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New
Single
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Multiple
New
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Single
Old
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Theory
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Recommendation
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Resources
• Theories used in IS research
(http://www.istheory.yorku.ca/)
• Association for Information Systems Network
(http://www.aisworld.org/)
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What is a “paradigm”?
• A philosophical and theoretical framework of a
scientific school or discipline within which
theories, laws, and generalizations and the
experiments performed in support of them are
formulated.
(Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary)
• A system of thought, worldview, perspective,
mindset, (thinking outside) the box
• e.g., positivism, experience economy, BPR, Isaac
Newtonian mechanics, Albert Einstein’s
mechanics, “The earth is round”, “The world is
flat”, epistemology (認識論), etc.
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What is “Epistemology ”?
• The branch of philosophy that studies the nature of knowledge, its
presuppositions and foundations, and its extent and validity.
• Epistemology is concerned with the definition of knowledge, the
sources and criteria of knowledge, the kinds of knowledge possible
and the degree to which each is certain, and the exact relation
between the one who knows and the object that is known.
• The rationalists favored deductive reasoning based on self-evident
principles. Plato stated that only abstract reasoning yields genuine
knowledge, whereas reliance on sense perception produces vague
and inconsistent opinions.
• The empiricists leaned toward sense perception and regard
knowledge as an instrument of action to be judged by its usefulness
in predicting experiences.
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What is a “theory”?
• Systematically organized knowledge applicable in
a relatively wide variety of circumstances,
especially a system of assumptions, accepted
principles, and rules of procedure devised to
analyze, predict, or otherwise explain the nature or
behavior of a specified set of phenomena.
(American Heritage Dictionary)
• e.g., Icek Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior,
Anthony Giddens’s structuration theory, Albert
Einstein’s special theory of relativity, Isaac
Newton's theory of universal gravitation, etc.
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What is a “concept”?
• Something conceived in the mind; an
abstract or generic idea generalized from
particular instances.
(Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary)
• e.g., subjective norm concept, total quality
concept, etc.
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What is a “model”?
• A schematic description of a system, theory,
or phenomenon that accounts for its known
or inferred properties and may be used for
further study of its characteristics.
(American Heritage Dictionary)
• e.g., TAM, DeLone & McLean’s ISS
model, etc.
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What is a “model”?
• Theoretical model: A model developed
from a theory or a group of related theories.
• Conceptual model: A model developed
from a concept or a group of related
concepts.
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What is “Triangulation”?
• Under qualitative research, triangulation is a
process of using multiple methods to ensure
the accuracy and credibility of research
findings.
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What is “Triangulation”?
Types of Triangulation:
• Data triangulation: combining a variety of data sources and
checking the consistency of the different sources (such as
samples from two different companies),
• Investigator triangulation: using several researchers, analysts,
or evaluators to review the findings,
• Theory triangulation: using multiple perspectives to interpret
the data (such as TPB and TAM),
• Methodological triangulation: checking the consistency by
using mixed methods of data collection and analysis (such as
qualitative and quantitative).
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangulation_%28disambiguation%29#In_research
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Schema of Abstraction
Paradigm
constrains
deduction
Theory
explains
directs
derives
induction
Model
deduction
describes
Phenomenon
directs
derives
Concept
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induction
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The Logic of a
Research Process
System
Research
Design
Research
Theory Building
Research
•Observations
•Design needs
•Phenomena
•Problems
•Propose
•Literature reviews
•Propose systems
•Construct
systems
•Validate systems
designs
•Build designs
•Validate
designs
•Evaluate
•Evaluate systems designs
•Conclusions
•Conclusions
•Propose
theory/concept
•Propose models
D
e
•Problems
d
u
•Literature reviews c
t
i
•Propose model
o
n
•Propose
hypotheses
•Propose
•Collect and
•Justify
•Test hypotheses
propositions
propositions
•Conclusions
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Model Building
Research
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validate data
•Conclusions
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I
n
d
u
c
t
i
o
n
Theory of Planned Behavior
Behavioral
beliefs
Attitude
toward the
behavior
Normative
beliefs
Subjective
norm
Control
beliefs
Perceived
behavioral
control
Intention
Behavior
Actual
behavioral
control
Source: http://www.people.umass.edu/aizen/tpb.html
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Architectural Innovation
Source: Wixom, B.H., and Todd, P.A. A theoretical integration of user satisfaction and technology acceptance. Information
Systems Research, 16, 1 (2005), 85-102.
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