Contemporary discourses in Information Systems Research: Methodological inclusiveness in a sample of Information Systems Journals

We propose a framework to reflect on the development of four information systems (IS) paradigms, arguing that this field has followed a similar path to that of Management Sciences (MS). The framework comprises four IS paradigms/discourses: (1) positivist/normative; (2) soft/interpretive; (3) critical/pluralistic; and (4) constructivist/2nd order cybernetics. The paper characterizes these approaches to IS by using four key terms: System; Organisation; Management and Information, exploring the way these concepts are perceived through the lens of the four paradigms. The paper reports on the nature of current IS trends, from an initial survey of six top IS journals identifying articles adhering to the interpretive, critical and constructivist paradigms published between 1999 and 2009. Results indicate that IS is moving towards research practice in which interpretive, critical and constructivist discourses are utilised. Implications of the proposed framework and publication trends, together with some points for further research, are offered.

► We apply a framework used in MS/OR to assess the development of discourses in IS. ► We surveyed articles published between 1999 and 2009 in six top IS journals. ► We found 145 papers using interpretative, critical and constructivist methodologies. ► Results show a healthy sign that IS is exploring the use of non-normative approaches.