Report
The collective consciousness of Information Technology research: The significance and value of research projects. A. The views of IT researchers
2002
Abstract
This research seeks to reveal the different perceptual worlds in a research community, with the longterm intent of fostering increased understanding and hence collaboration. In the relatively new field of information technology (IT) research, available evidence suggests that a shared understanding of the research object or territory does not yet exist. This has led to the development of different perceptions amongst IT researchers of what constitutes significant and valuable research. A phenomenological approach is used to elicit data from a diverse range of IT researchers in semistructured interviews. This data is presented to show (1) the variation in meaning associated with the idea of significance and value and (2) the awareness structures through which participants experience significance and value. An Outcome Space represents the interrelation between those different ways of seeing, revealing a widening awareness. Five categories of ways of seeing the significance and value of research projects were found: The Personal Goals Conception, The Research Currency Conception, The Design of the Research Project Conception, The Outcomes for the Technology End User Conception and The Solving Real-World Problems Conception. These are situated within three wider perceptual boundaries: The Individual, The Research Community and Humankind. The categories are described in detail, demonstrated with participants' quotes and illustrated with diagrams. A tentative comparison is made between this project and a similar investigation of IT professionals' ways of seeing the significance and value of IT research projects. Finally, some recommendations for further research are made.
Details
- Title
- The collective consciousness of Information Technology research: The significance and value of research projects. A. The views of IT researchers
- Authors
- Christine Bruce (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyBinh L Pham (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyIan D Stoodley (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
- Publication details
- 33
- Date published
- 2002
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449278402621
- Output Type
- Report
Metrics
358 Record Views