Interpretative Research in Information Systems: Two Qualitative Research Design Projects Cândida Silva 1 , Isabel Ferreira 2 , Isabel Ramos 3 and Luís Amaral 3 1 School of Management and Industrial Studies, Polytechnic Institute of Oporto, Vila do Conde, Portugal and Center Algoritmi, University of Minho, Portugal 2 School of Management, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado e Ave, Barcelos, Portugal and Center Algoritmi, University of Minho, Portugal 3 Information Systems Department, School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal and Center Algoritmi, University of Minho, Portugal candidasilva@eu.ipp.pt iferreira@ipca.pt iramos@dsi.uminho.pt amaral@dsi.uminho.pt Abstract: In a scientific research project is important to define the underlying philosophical orientation of the project, because this will influence the choices made in respect of scientific methods used, as well as the way they will be applied. It is crucial, therefore, that the philosophy and research design strategy are consistent with each other. These questions become even more relevant in qualitative research. Historically, the interpretive research philosophy is more associated to the scientific areas of social sciences and humanities where the subjectivity inherent to human intervention is more explicitly defined. Information systems field are, primarily, trapped in computer science field, though it also integrates issues related with management and organizations field. This shift from a purely technological guidance for the consideration of the problems of management and organizations has fostered the rise of research projects according to the interpretive philosophy and using qualitative methods. This paper explores the importance of alignment between the epistemological orientation and research design strategy, in qualitative research projects. As a result, it is presented two PhD projects, with different research design strategies, that are being developed in the technology and information systems field, in the light of the interpretive paradigm. Keywords: information systems design; research design; interpretative paradigm; qualitative research; grounded theory method 1. Introduction The rigor of scientific knowledge in engineering research is a central issue. The knowledge generated, besides being technological must be scientific, i.e., it cannot be assumed that science itself means technology (Feibleman (1961)). Science is the scientific knowledge about the regularities of the world phenomena based on the perceived observations of these same phenomena in the light of a particular worldview or a science paradigm ‐ an epistemological orientation (Blaikie, 2009; Lee & Baskerville, 2003). Science pursues two human purposes: the knowledge (understanding – pure or theoretical science) and the how to do (action ‐ applied science) (Marconi & Lakatos, 2003). On the other hand, technology is the knowledge of how to act in the world. It is a practical expression of intelligence, not the result of an unplanned event. The essential process, along with the finding procedure, is to build an artefact for a particular purpose and to evaluate its performance as well as to justify its usefulness (Lee & Baskerville, 2003). In this context, research and development are human activities aiming to create and expand the boundaries of the existing and the scientific knowledge, developing both science and technological knowledge, therefore improving of the world. Thereby, scientific rigor and practical relevance are the central issues in scientific and technological research (Baskerville & Myers, 2002; Hirschheim & Klein, 1989; Klein & Myers, 1999). These issues are particularly relevant in qualitative research. Qualitative research aims to help researchers to understand the social and cultural contexts within which people live and use technology. Qualitative researchers argue that it is impossible to understand why someone did something or why something 337 brought to you by CORE View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk provided by Universidade do Minho: RepositoriUM