Pan Tan (2011). Demystifying Research case

Demystifying Case Research: A Structured–Pragmatic–Situational (SPS) Approach

Authors and Affiliations

• Shan L. Pan

  • Department of Information Systems, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119613

• Barney Tan

  • Discipline of Business Information Systems, University of Sydney Business School, Australia 2006

Article Information

• Received: 28 June 2011

• Revised: 11 July 2011

• Accepted: 11 July 2011

• Available Online: 19 August 2011

• DOI: 10.1016/j.infoandorg.2011.07.001

Abstract Overview

• Problems Identified in Case Research:

  • Abundance of general principles that are hard to apply.

  • Prescriptions that work under idealized conditions but not in practice.

  • Emphasis on flexibility without clear guidance on how to achieve it.

• Proposed Solution: A Structured–Pragmatic–Situational (SPS) approach consists of eight steps to guide case research effectively.

Eight Steps of SPS Approach

1. Access Negotiation

2. Conceptualizing the Phenomenon

3. Collecting and Organizing Initial Data

4. Constructing and Extending the Theoretical Lens

5. Confirming and Validating Data

6. Selective Coding

7. Ensuring Theory-Data-Model Alignment

8. Writing the Case Report

Introduction

• Growth of Case Research in Information Systems (IS): Validity of case research is now widely accepted.

• Need for Resources: Increased demand for guidance in conducting case studies.

• Common Gaps Identified:

  • Theoretical frameworks lacking actionable steps.

  • Idealized assumptions make prescriptions impractical.

  • Lack of explicit guidance on achieving flexibility in practice.

Structured–Pragmatic–Situational (SPS) Approach Overview

• Three Attributes of SPS:

  • Structured: Divided into eight systematic and detailed steps.

  • Pragmatic: Offers practical techniques and workarounds.

  • Situational: Facilitates adaptability to real-world settings.

SPS Steps Explained

Step 1: Access Negotiation

• Importance of gaining access to a suitable organization.

• Suggested start with searching for an interesting case based on planned opportunism.

• Strategies for Access:

  • Seek partnerships or endorsements from influential contacts.

  • Avoid unsolicited contacts; have clear objectives and resource needs defined.

Step 2: Conceptualizing the Phenomenon

• Importance of gathering background information prior to data collection.

• Suggested to read widely on relevant theories to inform initial understanding.

Step 3: Collecting and Organizing the Initial Data

• Focus on conducting initial interviews, starting with an overview informant.

• Importance of snowball sampling for informant selection.

Step 4: Constructing and Extending the Theoretical Lens

• Early theory building should use an appropriate guiding theory to frame data collection.

• The initial theoretical lens must be dynamic and extend with new data.

Step 5: Confirming and Validating Data

• Data collection should transition towards gathering robust evidence for theory building.

• Use triangulation to ensure data validity.

Step 6: Selective Coding

• Process of corroborating theoretical categories with data.

• Creation of a narrative strategy that summarizes information orderly.

Step 7: Ensuring Theory-Data-Model Alignment

• Importance of aligning data with existing theories and emergent models.

• Evaluation questions for alignment include explaining case data and ensuring its theoretical fit.

Step 8: Writing the Case Report

• Establish clear logic when writing; follow a structured outline for coherence.

  • Adopt common formatting for wider acceptance in academic circles.

Conclusion of Approach

• While the SPS approach is structured, it allows for adaptability based on specific research contexts.

• Future research could extend guidance for other forms of case research beyond the exploratory type.

• The article aims to lower barriers for aspiring researchers and improve case study quality in IS research.

Demystifying Case Research: A Structured–Pragmatic–Situational (SPS) Approach

Authors and Affiliations

• Shan L. PanDepartment of Information Systems, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119613

• Barney TanDiscipline of Business Information Systems, University of Sydney Business School, Australia 2006

Article Information

• Received: 28 June 2011

• Revised: 11 July 2011

• Accepted: 11 July 2011

• Available Online: 19 August 2011

• DOI: 10.1016/j.infoandorg.2011.07.001

Abstract Overview

Problems Identified in Case Research:

1. Abundance of General Principles:

   • Existing literature includes numerous theoretical frameworks that fail to outline actionable steps for researchers, leading to inconsistency and application challenges in practical settings.

2. Prescriptions Under Idealized Conditions:

   • Many recommendations are based on unrealistic scenarios that do not translate well to actual research practices, undermining the reliability of case studies.

3. Emphasis on Flexibility:

   • Although flexibility is encouraged, there is often a lack of comprehensive guidance on how to implement it effectively within various case research contexts.

Proposed Solution: A Structured–Pragmatic–Situational (SPS) Approach

• The SPS approach consists of eight distinct steps designed to guide researchers through the complexities of case study research effectively, ensuring both rigor and relevance.

Eight Steps of SPS Approach

1. Access Negotiation:

   • Establishing appropriate access to organizations is crucial, often starting with the identification of cases that align with research interests through strategic opportunism.

   • Strategies for Access:

     • Develop relationships with influential stakeholders who can facilitate introductions or endorsements.

     • Clearly define research objectives and resource needs to provide context when approaching organizations.

2. Conceptualizing the Phenomenon:

   • Prior to data collection, it is essential to gather thorough background information, drawing insights from existing theories and research to inform your understanding of the phenomenon.

   • This preparation phase sets the foundation for the research and enhances the relevance of the findings.

3. Collecting and Organizing Initial Data:

   • Initial interviews should be conducted with key informants to gain an overview of the context and issues at play.

   • The use of snowball sampling methods can help identify additional informants, expanding the pool of data sources and perspectives.

4. Constructing and Extending the Theoretical Lens:

   • Early in the research process, it is imperative to select a guiding theory that structures the data collection.

   • As new data emerges, this theoretical lens should be dynamic, adaptable, and extend its scope to incorporate fresh insights.

5. Confirming and Validating Data:

   • Transition from data collection to theory-building should involve gathering robust evidence, which includes triangulating data from multiple sources to ensure validity and reliability of findings.

6. Selective Coding:

   • This step involves corroborating theoretical concepts with collected data, developing narrative strategies that assist in presenting information coherently and meaningfully.

7. Ensuring Theory-Data-Model Alignment:

   • Align the data collected with existing theories and any emerging models to evaluate the coherence of the research findings.

   • Consider evaluation questions that scrutinize the explanatory power of the case data in relation to theoretical frameworks.

8. Writing the Case Report:

   • Effective writing requires a clear logical flow, following a structured outline that encompasses all relevant findings, ensuring a coherent narrative that adheres to customary formatting standards for academic publication.

Conclusion of Approach

• While the SPS approach provides a structured methodology, it permits flexibility to accommodate unique research settings and conditions. Future studies may explore extending SPS guidance for varied case research methodologies beyond exploratory studies, thereby contributing to the overall enhancement of case study research quality and accessibility for emerging scholars in information systems (IS).