Epistemological Perspectives on Multi-Method Information Systems Research

It is argued that the potential for methodological pluralism depends heavily on the epistemological characteristics of the research methods themselves, and provides an epistemology framework addressing the relevant aspects in this context.

Abstract

There is a continuing discussion on methodological pluralism in IS research. Several claims have been made both for and against methodological pluralism. The debate focuses mainly on discussing the relationship between research methods and IS research paradigms, especially positivism and interpretivism. Also, the literature analyzes the epistemological assumptions of research paradigms, but pays little attention to a direct association of research methods with epistemology. We argue that the potential for methodological pluralism depends heavily on the epistemological characteristics of the research methods themselves. After analyzing various arguments pro and contra methodological pluralism, we then provide an epistemological framework addressing the relevant aspects in this context.