Doing interpretive research

2006/06/01 by Geoff Walsham · 9 citations
Business, Management and Accounting · Computer Science · Social Sciences · #Big Data and Business Intelligence #Information Systems Theories and Implementation #Open Source Software Innovations

paper · doi:10.1057/palgrave.ejis.3000589

openalex publication_date 2006/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04

Abstract

Interpretive research in information systems (IS) is now a well-established part of the field. However, there is a need for more material on how to carry out such work from inception to publication. I published a paper a decade ago (Walsham, 1995) which addressed the nature of interpretive IS case studies and methods for doing such research. The current paper extends this earlier contribution, with a widened scope of all interpretive research in IS, and through further material on carrying out fieldwork, using theory and analysing data. In addition, new topics are discussed on constructing and justifying a research contribution, and on ethical issues and tensions in the conduct of interpretive work. The primary target audience for the paper is less-experienced IS researchers, but I hope that the paper will also stimulate reflection for the more-experienced IS researcher and be of relevance to interpretive researchers in other social science fields.

Citations

• Steps Toward an Ecology of Infrastructure: Design and Access for Large Information Spaces
• Interpretive case studies in IS research: nature and method
• Generalizing Generalizability in Information Systems Research
• Some Elements of a Sociology of Translation: Domestication of the Scallops and the Fishermen of St Brieuc Bay
• The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research.

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