The potential of hermeneutics in information systems research

Abstract

This paper puts forward a case for using hermeneutics in information systems (IS) research. Unlike case study and action research, which could now be described as ‘mainstream’ interpretive research in IS, hermeneutics is neither well accepted nor much practiced in IS research. A suitable hermeneutic approach is described in detail. A brief account of hermeneutics in action is provided through a description of research investigating notions of convenience in home Internet shopping. The hermeneutic circle enabled the researcher to reveal unexpectedly the practice of using surrogates in Internet shopping and this example illustrates some of the potential of the approach in IS research.

Keywords:

• hermeneutics
• hermeneutic circle
• interpretive research
• Internet surrogates

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Melissa Cole

About the authors

Melissa Cole is a lecturer in Information Systems and Computing at Brunel University. Her principal research interests are electronic commerce, human–computer interaction, applied hermeneutics and other novel methodologies investigating human use of new technologies. She has published in a number of international journals and conferences, including Communications of the ACM, International Journal of Human–Computer Studies, and Information Systems Frontiers.

David Avison

David Avison is Distinguished Professor in Information Systems at ESSEC Business School near Paris. He is President-Elect of the Association for Information Systems (AIS) and co-editor of the Information Systems Journal (ISJ). He has published many books including Information Systems Methodologies: Methodologies, Techniques and Tools (with Guy Fitzgerald). He has been programme chair of many conferences including International Conference in Information Systems (ICIS) and International Federation of Information Processing (IFIP) – he was previously chair of its working group 8.2 on Information Systems and Organisations.