An historical method for MIS research: Steps and assumptions

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Mason, RO; McKenney, JL; Copeland, DG
• 署名单位: Harvard University
• 刊物名称: MIS QUARTERLY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0276-7783
• DOI: 10.2307/249499
• 发表日期: 1997
• 页码: 307-320
• 关键词: innovation

摘要

Historical research offers perspectives on phenomena that are unavailable by any other methodological means. They reflect the cultural circumstances and ideological assumptions that underlie phenomena and the role played by key decision makers together with long-term economic, social, and political forces in creating them. Each of these benefits is accompanied by limitations such as, in most cases, a lack of mathematical tractability. The careful application of historical methods can overcome some of these limitations. A seven-step methodology is proposed: begin with focusing questions, specify the domain, gather evidence, critique the evidence, determine patterns, tell the story, and write the transcript.