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Chapter 3. Research Methodology Adoption, Diffusion and Use of E-government
Hassan Al-Zaabi Services in Abu Dhabi Police Force
“Case study research is the most widely used qualitative research method in IS research, and is well
suited to understand the interaction between information technology-related innovations and
organisational context” (Orlikowski and Baroudi, 1991; Darke et al., 1998: 273; Myers, 2009). Klein
and Myers (1999: 68) also added that “case studies are accepted as a valid research strategy within the
IS research community”. It is also possible for using a case study in both interpretivism and positivism
philosophical assumptions in IS research (Cavaye, 1996; Darke et al., 1998). An example of an IS case
study that used an interpretivism philosophical assumption was by Orlikowski (1991). The research
looked at IT control in a software consulting organisation. Orlikowski (1991) used different data
collection techniques for gathering data, such as, observation, unstructured and semi-structured
interviews. The main aim of the study was to understand control and deployment of IT in the
organisation, therefore, to get a better understanding and in-depth study case study method was needed
(Yin, 2009).
Furthermore, this research has used the advice and recommendation from Cavaye (1996) and Darke et
al. (1998), were they stated that when using a case study the researcher needs first to prepare a list of
propositions based on literature and existing theory. After that these predicted propositions will be
compared with the case study findings. Finally, the results of the case study will judge if the theory
should be refined or validated. Yin (2009: 27) listed 5 components for case study research; (i) How and
why research question (ii) List propositions (iii) Unit of analysis (what the case is; in order to focus on
a certain thing rather than everything) (iv) Linking case study data to propositions (v) Have a criteria
for interpreting study findings.
Yin (2009) had also recommended when to use certain research methods. He compared five major
research methods which are; case study, experiment, survey, archival analysis and history, against three
conditions which suit them the most. It is not necessary that these situations should be exclusive to
these methods; however, these are preferable situations. Table 3.3 shows the three conditions with the
five research methods.
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