Pluralism, Realism, and Truth: The Keys to Knowledge in Information Systems Research

The aim of this paper is to outline some of the key themes that I believe are important, first in applying the systems approach to produce high quality IS research in general, and second to consider more specifically some of the questions and debates that are of interest within the philosophy of IS and of the systems approach. Four themes are identified: being systemic, being critical and realist, being pluralist in approach, and having a concern for truth and knowledge.

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