Complete thesis - Murdoch University

• it applies multiple techniques that seek to build rapport with the stakeholders, whomust be involved in the requirements collection and analysis• it is emergent rather than tightly predefined• it is inherently interpretive – based on models constructed and filtered by all stakeholderperspectives• it cannot view the system as isolated• it assumes reflexivity• the reasoning, largely inductive, is based on a cyclic process between data collectionand analysis and problem identification/re-formulation.4.1.4 Strengths and weaknesses of a research designA prevailing view regarding the validity of a research approach is based on the constructs ofreliability, objectivity, and internal and external validity. Anderson and Herr (1999) arguethat while conventional research approaches, which rely on generalisability and replicabilitycan apply these validity criteria, Action Research (or any research where interpretation andPraxis are primary goals) demands different criteria for validity, reliability, and researchquality.In relation to Orlikowski and Baroudi (1991)’s list of main possible weaknesses of nonpositivistresearch, the main issues to be addressed include:Contingency of research findings – research rigour is linked to the reliability of the instrumentsfor data collection and analysis, and the internal and external validity of thefindings. While a high internal validity does not always increase the generalisability ofthe findings, high external validity is seen to do so. Models developed through ActionResearch, due to its focus on in depth and often longitudinal studies are viewed as problematicfor external validity. However, one approach to this issue is to examine howthe findings hold across iterations. These act to expand the project scope, analogousto choosing a wider ‘sample’ in statistical studiesLow control of environment – testing or producing strong theories is seen to require highlevels of environmental control. However, such control, by definition only focusses onpredefined variables and links, ignoring others that may be as relevant to the understandingof the situation under study. Action Research overcomes this by collecting196