A Scientific Methodology. for MIS Case Studies

Abstract

methodology for conducting the case study of a management Information system (MIS) presented~ Suitable for the study ot a single case, the methodology also satisfies the stan. dards of the natural-science model of scientific research. This article prod, ides an overview of the tnethodologicaf problems involved in the study of a single case, describes scientific method, presents an elucidation of how a previously pub. lished MIS case study captures the major fea- tures of scientific method, responds to the prob- lems involved in the study of a single case, and summarizes what a scientific methodology for MIS case studies does, and does not, involve. The article also has ramifications that go beyond matters of M/S case studies alone. For MIS re- searchers, the article might prove interesting for addressing .such fundamental issues as whether MIS research must be mathematica/~ statistical, or quantitative in order to be called ?scientific. For MIS practitioners, the article's view of sci- entific method might prove interesting for era. powering them to identify, for themseJves, the point at Which scientific rigor is achieved in an M/S research effort, and beyond which further rigor can be called into quesl~on, especially if pursued at the expense .of professional relevance.