Is Theory King?: Questioning the Theory Fetish in Information Systems

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Avison ◽  
Julien Malaurent
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Theory Building ◽  
High Status ◽  
Or Practice ◽  
Is Theory ◽  
Theory Use ◽  
Role Of The Reader ◽  
Theory Light ◽  
Leading Journals

This paper suggests that there is too much emphasis on the requirement for theory use and theory building in qualitative research published in our leading journals. We discuss six concerns that we have that relate to this high status of theory in such papers. We argue for what we refer to as ‘theory light’ papers where theory plays no significant part in the paper and the contribution lies elsewhere, for example, new arguments, facts, patterns or relationships. Some examples of theory light papers (and research) are provided from other disciplines and one exemplar information systems paper is studied in depth. We see these papers as equally worthy as those which demonstrate the applicability and predictive qualities of theory use as well as the potential of theory building. We propose a list of 10 questions that authors and reviewers might ask themselves when writing or reviewing such theory light papers. The more demanding role of the reader is also discussed along with the requirement for editorial teams to adapt. We suggest that the requirement for a contribution to theory would be replaced with the requirement that any journal paper has a high potential for stimulating research that will impact on information systems theory and/or practice.

Social Work Practice: Theoretical Base

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry Floersch ◽  
Jeffrey Longhofer
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Theory Building ◽  
Theoretical Base ◽  
Is Theory

A broad examination of the role of theory in social work practice requires answers three related questions: What is theory? What is practice? What is the role of theory in practice? In answering the first question, it is useful to examine the etymology of the word theory, identify its various meanings, and specify which meanings are relevant to a discussion of the role of theory in practice. Additionally, it is useful to understand the philosophical assumptions that inevitably influence the process of theory building and application.

Is Theory King?: A Rejoinder

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 358-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Avison ◽  
Julien Malaurent
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Is Theory ◽  
Theory Light

In this rejoinder we discuss six commentaries to our earlier debates and perspectives paper ‘Is theory king?: questioning the theory fetish in information systems’. We argue again for theory light rather than theory free papers, we discuss the potential scope of theories in information systems, we reflect on our terminology and exemplar paper, and we discuss the relevance of our arguments on quantitative research before looking at potential further opportunities to debate this important issue for information systems.

The Role of Technology in Higher Education

IJOHMN ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. A. SUBRAMANIAN
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Educational Achievement ◽  
Traditional Education ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Professional Development For Teachers ◽  
Paper Technology ◽  
Educational Field

Present status and use for educational purposes, technology is fulfilling an ever increasing role in both the traditional education field, and in other fields which are utilizing technology for educational purposes. Within the educational field we can see technology as a means of removing barriers for students and teachers alike. First, technology can remove financial and geographical barriers through distributed learning. This allows students and teachers to experience educational opportunities that they might have otherwise never been able to encounter. Second, technology is bringing about a new focus on problem and skill based learning. Information databases are being used to assist teachers in the acquisition of new knowledge and provide professional support outside of the traditional professional development seminar. In regards to future action, we should continue to utilize the successful trends in education as a means to fulfil their developmental potential and see increased impacts on our field. In particular, we should continue the use of distance learning as a means of professional development for teachers, by providing more opportunities aimed at improving their job related performance. Distance learning for students should also be an area of focus by providing software that allows for increasing authenticity in simulations, multimedia content, and social connections. We should continue to focus on technology that allows students to interact with other students and environments located outside of their current environment, locality, and culture. Information systems are also in need of continual investment. Information systems perform two important roles for the educational system: Focus on this paper, technology has already served an important role in education in multiple fields. Specifically, technology has been of great use to the educational field in terms of its focus on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the educational experiences of both students and teachers. Continued use and development of technology can serve to further benefit the educational field and recommendations based on the development of existing trends in education should be pursued for great gains in educational achievement..

Contributions of Contemporary Political Science to an Understanding of the Common Good

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.J. Matthew Carnes
Keyword(s):  
Political Science ◽  
Common Good ◽  
Scientific Theory ◽  
Theory Building ◽  
Catholic Theology ◽  
Politics And Government ◽  
The Common Good ◽  
The Common ◽  
Nature And Society

The transformation of political science in recent decades opens the door for a new but so far poorly cultivated examination of the common good. Four significant “turns” characterize the modern study of politics and government. Each is rooted in the discipline’s increased emphasis on empirical rigor, with its attendant scientific theory-building, measurement, and hypothesis testing. Together, these new orientations allow political science to enrich our understanding of causality, our basic definitions of the common good, and our view of human nature and society. In particular, the chapter suggests that traditional descriptions of the common good in Catholic theology have been overly irenic and not sufficiently appreciative of the role of contention in daily life, on both a national and international scale.

The Central Role of Cognitive Computations in Human-Information Interaction

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wai-Tat Fu ◽  
Jessie Chin ◽  
Q. Vera Liao
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Cognitive Science ◽  
Intelligent Systems ◽  
Intelligent System ◽  
Levels Of Abstraction ◽  
Intelligent Information Systems ◽  
Emergent Behaviour ◽  
Information Interaction ◽  
Intelligent Information

Cognitive science is a science of intelligent systems. This chapter proposes that cognitive science can provide useful perspectives for research on technology-mediated human-information interaction (HII) when HII is cast as emergent behaviour of a coupled intelligent system. It starts with a review of a few foundational concepts related to cognitive computations and how they can be applied to understand the nature of HII. It discusses several important properties of a coupled cognitive system and their implication to designs of information systems. Finally, it covers how levels of abstraction have been useful for cognitive science, and how these levels can inform design of intelligent information systems that are more compatible with human cognitive computations.

Climb or Jump: Status-Based Seeding in User-Generated Content Networks

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Lanz ◽  
Jacob Goldenberg ◽  
Daniel Shapira ◽  
Florian Stahl
Keyword(s):  
User Generated Content ◽  
High Status ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Online Communications ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Status Difference

This article addresses seeding policies in user-generated content networks by challenging the role of influencers in a setting of unpaid endorsements. On such platforms, the content is generated by individuals and firms interested in self-promotion. The authors use data from a worldwide leading music platform to study unknown music creators who aim to increase exposure of their content by expanding their follower base through directing outbound activities to other users. The authors find that the responsiveness of seeding targets strongly declines with status difference; thus, unknown music creators (the majority) do not generally benefit at all from seeding influencers. Instead, they should gradually build their status by targeting low-status users rather than attempt to “jump” by targeting high-status ones. This research extends the seeding literature by introducing the concept of risk to dissemination dynamics in online communications, showing that unknown music creators do not seed specific status levels but rather choose a portfolio of seeding targets while solving a risk versus return trade-off. The authors discuss various managerial implications for optimal seeding in user-generated content networks.

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