A case study strategy as part of an information systems research methodology: a critique

A case study strategy as part of an Information Systems (IS) research metho dology embodies a unique style and is one which can employ a variety of res earch methods. This scientific approach to research appears to be increasin g in popularity in the area of IS, and is providing a legitimate alternativ e to the more traditional lines of enquiry. The authors of this paper ident ify the underlying purpose of a case study strategy and describe its resear ch objectives. These typically include a strategy for: (i) discovery and th eory building; (ii) theory testing; and, (iii) discovery, theory building a nd theory testing. The authors then debate the merits of a single versus mu ltiple-case study design. This is followed by a discussion of the positivis t and interpretivist epistemological approaches that a case study research strategy can take, drawing case study examples from the published IS litera ture. Thus, facilitating in the establishment of the readers epistemologica l stance. The authors then review the characteristics inherent in quantitat ive and qualitative research methods, which are summarized in a taxonomy. F inally, the authors conclude by stressing the suitability of a case study s trategy when part of an IS research methodology.