Using multiple methods in studying information systems (panel session): some experiences

The evolving pluralism of research methods being used to study the roles of information systems (IS) in organizations makes multi-method research a seemingly valuable approach (Fitzgerald et al. 1985). There are at least two reasons that underlie the potential value of multiple methods. The first reason is that using multiple methods is one mechanism to cope with the limitations inherent in any one research method (Campbell and Stanley 1966). The second reason is that multi-method research is more than using two disparate methods (generally a quantitative and a qualitative method) in the course of one research effort: it is its own method (Brewer and Hunter 1989; Jick 1979).