Three Issues Concerning Relevance in IS Research: Epistemology, Audience, and Method

摘要

Academic concerns about making research into the design, construction and use of information systems (IS) more relevant to practice is a persistent theme in the IS literature and in recent ISWorld discussions. This essay addresses three questions implicit in this discussion: Is there an agreed upon epistemology underlying IS research? To whom should IS be relevant or alternatively what ends should this research serve? Does the choice of research method contribute to the creation of relevant IS research? These questions are explored from the perspective on an unrepentant idealist.