Skip to main content

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNISA,volume 8463))

Abstract

Studies that involve information technology artifacts play a prominent role in Information Systems (IS) research. We argue that special attention needs to be paid to ensuring the validity of such studies. This paper makes three contributions to IS research. First, it introduces the concept of instantiation validity as broadly applicable to IS design research, and distinct from existing notions of validity. Second, the paper identifies several sources of instantiation validity threats that can arise in IS design research. Third, it points to the need for guidelines to address these threats and demonstrate validity in design research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Kamis, A., Koufaris, M., Stern, T.: Using an Attribute-Based Decision Support System for User-Customized Products Online: An Experimental Investigation. MIS Quarterly 32, 159–177 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Komiak, S.Y.X., Benbasat, I.: The Effects of Personalization and Familiarity on Trust and Adoption of Recommendation Agents. MIS Quarterly 30, 941–960 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Gregor, S.: The Nature of Theory in Information Systems. MIS Quarterly 30, 611–642 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Weber, R.: Evaluating and Developing Theories in the Information Systems Discipline. Journal of the Association for Information Systems 13, 1–30 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Gregor, S., Jones, D.: The Anatomy of Design Theory. Journal of the Association for Information Systems 8, 312–335 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Gregor, S., Hevner, A.R.: Positioning and Presenting Design Science Research for Maximum Impact. MIS Quarterly 37, 337–355 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Straub, D., Boudreau, M., Gefen, D.: Validation Guidelines for IS Positivist Research. Communications of the Association for Information Systems 13, 380–427 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Venkatesh, V., Brown, S.A., Bala, H.: Bridging the Qualitative-Quantitative Divide: Guidelines for Conducting Mixed Methods Research in Information Systems. MIS Quarterly 37, 21–54 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Cook, T.D., Campbell, D.T., Peraccio, L.: Quasi-experimentation. In: Dunnette, M., Hough, L. (eds.) Handbook of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, vol. 1, pp. 491–576. Consulting Psychologists Press, Palo Alto (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Benbasat, I.: Laboratory experiments in information systems studies with a focus on individuals: A critical appraisal, vol. 2. Harvard Business School, Cambridge (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  11. March, S.T., Smith, G.F.: Design and Natural Science Research on Information Technology. Decision Support Systems 15, 251–266 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Gregg, D.G., Kulkarni, U.R., Vinzé, A.S.: Understanding the Philosophical Underpinnings of Software Engineering Research in Information Systems. Information Systems Frontiers 3, 169–183 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Hevner, A., March, S., Park, J., Ram, S.: Design Science in Information Systems Research. MIS Quarterly 28, 75–105 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Parsons, J., Cole, L.: What do the Pictures Mean? Guidelines for Experimental Evaluation of Representation Fidelity in Diagrammatical Conceptual Modeling Techniques. Data & Knowledge Engineering 55, 327–342 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Burton-Jones, A., Wand, Y., Weber, R.: Guidelines for Empirical Evaluations of Conceptual Modeling Grammars. Journal of the Association for Information Systems 10, 495–532 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Shanks, G., Weber, R.: A Hole in the Whole: A Response to Allen and March. MIS Quarterly 36, 965–980 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Allen, G.N., March, S.T.: A Research Note on Representing Part-Whole Relations in Conceptual Modeling. MIS Quarterly 36, 945–964 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Arazy, O., Kumar, N., Shapira, B.: A Theory-Driven Design Framework for Social Recommender Systems. Journal of the Association for Information Systems 11, 455–490 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Hovorka, D., Gregor, S.: Untangling Causality in Design Science Theorizing. In: 5th Biennial ANU Workshop on Information Systems Foundations (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Brewer, M.B.: Research design and issues of validity. In: Reis, H., Judd, C. (eds.) Handbook of Research Methods in Social and Personality Psychology, pp. 3–16. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Straub, D.W.: Validating Instruments in MIS Research. MIS Quarterly 13, 147–169 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Churchill, G.A.: A Paradigm for Developing Better Measures of Marketing Constructs. Journal of Marketing Research, 64–73 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Hinkin, T.R.: A Review of Scale Development Practices in the Study of Organizations. Journal of Management 21, 967–988 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Moore, G.C., Benbasat, I.: Development of an Instrument to Measure the Perceptions of Adopting an Information Technology Innovation. Information Systems Research 2, 192–222 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Snodgrass, J.G., Vanderwart, M.: A Standardized Set of 260 Pictures: Norms for Name Agreement, Image Agreement, Familiarity, and Visual Complexity. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Learning and Memory 6, 174–215 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Kuechler, W., Vaishnavi, V.: A Framework for Theory Development in Design Science Research: Multiple Perspectives. Journal of the Association for Information Systems 13, 395–423 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Lukyanenko, R., Parsons, J.: Reconciling Theories with Design Choices in Design Science Research. In: vom Brocke, J., Hekkala, R., Ram, S., Rossi, M. (eds.) DESRIST 2013. LNCS, vol. 7939, pp. 165–180. Springer, Heidelberg (2013)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  28. Merton, R.: On Sociological Theories of the Middle Range. In: Merton, R. (ed.) Social Theory and Social Structure, pp. 39–53. The Free Press, New York (1949)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Shepherd, M.M., Briggs, R.O., Reinig, B.A., Yen, J., Nunamaker, J., Jay, F.: Invoking Social Comparison to Improve Electronic Brainstorming: Beyond Anonymity. Journal of Management Information Systems 12, 155–170 (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Briggs, R.O., Nunamaker, J., Jay, F., Sprague, J., Ralph, H.: 1001 Unanswered Research Questions in GSS. Journal of Management Information Systems 14, 3–21 (1997)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this paper

Cite this paper

Lukyanenko, R., Evermann, J., Parsons, J. (2014). Instantiation Validity in IS Design Research. In: Tremblay, M.C., VanderMeer, D., Rothenberger, M., Gupta, A., Yoon, V. (eds) Advancing the Impact of Design Science: Moving from Theory to Practice. DESRIST 2014. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 8463. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-06701-8_22

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-06701-8_22

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-06700-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-06701-8

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics