Luc Lagrandeur and Denise Fortier
Research Lifecycle 1 Research Lifecycle 2
Identification of the Research Problem
Theoretical Development
Applicability Check
Identification of the Research Problem
Theoretical Development
Research Methodology
Research Methodology
Data Analysis
Data Analysis
Communication of the Findings
Communication of the Findings
Time
Figure 1: The extended research life cycle by Rosemann & Vessey( 2008)
More specifically, applicability check could be conducted as( 1) the final step in the research life cycle;( 2) the first step in the life cycle; or( 3) at the end of the first instantiation of the life cycle, leading into the second instantiation. In their paper, they conducted an applicability check on DeLone and McLean’ s IS success model( in Rosemann and Vessey 2008:14) at the end of the first instantiation of the life cycle, leading into the second instantiation. We believe that using the third method leads to a research life cycle that is too long and does not provide results that are timely or beneficial for practitioners who work in the face‐paced arena of information technology. By targeting an earlier phase of the research life cycle, we provide an example that uses applicability check in a different way. In this paper, we propose an extension to this model by integrating applicability check as the first step in the research life cycle, see figure 2.
Research Lifecycle
Applicability Check
Identification of the Research Problem
Theoretical Development
Research Methodology
Data Analysis
Communication of the Findings
Figure 2: An extension of applicability check in the research life cycle
As indicated by Bembasat & Zmud, we do not imply that research needs to be carried out in a less rigorous fashion, we simply wish to meet the condition of timeliness as proposed by Thomas and Tymon( 1982):
“ One of the most serious criticisms of the organizational sciences is that the phenomena under study change faster than science can come to grip with them.”( Ibid, pp 349)
Time
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