Structuring Action and Reflection in Information Systems Action Research Studies Using Checkland's FMA Model

Authors of interpretive information systems (IS) work are claiming more frequently to be drawing upon action research as a means of undertaking IS research. The literature, while containing many useful discussions about the fundamental concepts of action research and case studies reporting its use, has little to offer the IS researcher in terms of practical guidance about conducting an action research study. The intention in this paper is to draw upon personal experiences to offer some practical guidance and warnings for the would-be IS action researcher. To do this we use Checkland's description of research (what we refer to as the FMA model) as a way of helping us to consider the action research process of our own formal IS studies and to report our experiences and lessons. We attempt to set out these experiences and lessons in a way that is consistent with an action research study.

[1]  G. Mansell,et al.  Action research in information systems development , 1991, Inf. Syst. J..

[2]  P. Checkland,et al.  Action Research: Its Nature and Validity , 1998 .

[3]  P. Checkland.  From framework through experience to learning: The essential nature of action research , 1991 .

[4]  Briony J. Oates,et al.  Participation in Information Systems Research , 1999 .

[5]  J. Hughes,et al.  The philosophy of social research , 1981 .

[6]  Daune West,et al.  Action Research and Information Systems Research , 1995 .

[7]  Peter Checkland,et al.  Soft Systems Methodology in Action , 1990 .

[8]  Wes Sharrock.  The Philosophy of Social Research, 3rd edition , 1997 .

[9]  Daune West,et al.  Using computer-based technology to support a subjective method of inquiry , 1994 .

[10]  P. Oquist,et al.  The Epistemology of Action Research , 1978 .

[11]  Frank Stowell,et al.  Client-Led Design: A Systemic Approach to Information System Definition , 1995 .

[12]  Jean M. Bartunekl.  Scholarly Dialogues and Participatory Action Research , 1993 .

[13]  D. Greenwood,et al.  Introduction to Action Research: Social Research for Social Change , 1998 .

[14]  Geoff Walsham,et al.  Interpretive case studies in IS research: nature and method , 1995 .

[15]  Peter Checkland,et al.  Systems Thinking, Systems Practice , 1981 .

[16]  Peter Checkland,et al.  From Optimizing to Learning: A Development of Systems Thinking for the 1990s , 1985 .

[17]  Daune West.  Towards a subjective knowledge elicitation methodology for the development of expert systems , 1991 .

[18]  Susan Albers Mohrman,et al.  Looking Backward and Forward at Action Research , 1993 .

[19]  M. Hult,et al.  TOWARDS A DEFINITION OF ACTION RESEARCH: A NOTE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY , 1980 .

[20]  D. Morgan,et al.  Sociological Paradigms and Organizational Analysis. , 1983 .

[21]  Trevor Wood-Harper.  Viewpoint: Action research , 1992, Inf. Syst. J..

[22]  Guy Fitzgerald,et al.  Research methods in information systems , 1985 .

[23]  Michael D. Myers,et al.  A Set of Principles for Conducting and Evaluating Interpretive Field Studies in Information Systems , 1999, MIS Q..

[24]  G. Susman,et al.  An Assessment of the Scientific Merits of Action Research. , 1978 .

[25]  Richard Baskerville,et al.  Diversity in information systems action research methods , 1998 .

[26]  Michael D. Myers,et al.  Interpretive research in information systems , 1998 .

[27]  Daniel Robey,et al.  Research Report - Modeling Interpersonal Processes During System Development: Further Thoughts and Suggestions , 1994, Inf. Syst. Res..

[28]  Trevor Wood-Harper,et al.  Multiview - An Exploration in Information Systems Development , 1986, Aust. Comput. J..

[29]  Trevor Wood-Harper,et al.  A critical perspective on action research as a method for information systems research , 1996, J. Inf. Technol..

[30]  Peter Checkland,et al.  Information, Systems, And Information Systems , 1997 .

[31]  Henri Barki,et al.  User Participation, Conflict, and Conflict Resolution: The Mediating Roles of Influence , 1994, Inf. Syst. Res..