A4 Article in conference proceedings
How and Why ‘Theory’ Is Often Misunderstood in Information Systems Literature (2019)
Siponen, M., & Klaavuniemi, T. (2019). How and Why ‘Theory’ Is Often Misunderstood in Information Systems Literature. In ICIS 2019 : Proceedings the 40th International Conference on Information Systems (Article 1497). Association for Information Systems. https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2019/research_methods/research_methods/3/
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Siponen, Mikko; Klaavuniemi, Tuula
Parent publication: ICIS 2019 : Proceedings the 40th International Conference on Information Systems
Conference:
- International Conference on Information Systems
Place and date of conference: Munich, Germany, 15.-18.12.2019
ISBN: 978-0-9966831-9-7
ISSN: 1026-1079
Publication year: 2019
Article number: 1497
Publisher: Association for Information Systems
Publication country: United States
Publication language: English
Persistent website address: https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2019/research_methods/research_methods/3/
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access:
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/66756
Abstract
IS theory accounts have increased our understanding of scientific theories. However, many influential theory accounts in Information Systems (IS) are influenced by the Received View of scientific theory (RV), which flourished in the philosophy of science around 1930-1969. The RV has been widely rejected in the philosophy of science, as the theory ignored much of the actual scientific context, and it mischaracterized several important characteristics of scientific research and theories. Although RV ideas were crafted for philosophers’ philosophical purposes, and not for scientists’ use, several IS scholars seem to believe that some of the RV theses represent actual (good or strong) scientific theories. Mistaking problematic logical reconstructions by philosophers for “real” scientific theories may seriously impede IS research. Recognizing how some of the RV theses may mislead the IS research will hopefully help us to value other types of research contributions that may not meet the current ‘theory’ conventions.
Keywords: data systems; theory of science; philosophy of science; logical empiricism
Free keywords: theory; received view; logical empiricism; logical reconstructions
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2019
JUFO rating: 2