This chapter applies a critical theory lens to understanding how South African university students construct meaning about the role of ICTs in their lives. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) has been used as a theoretical and analytical device drawing on theorists Fairclough and Gee to examine the key concepts of meaning, identity, context, and power. The specific concepts that inform this study are Fairclough’s three-level framework that enables the situating of texts within the socio-historical conditions and context that govern their process, and Gee’s notion of D(d)iscourses and conceptualization of grand societal “Big C” Conversations. This approach provides insights into students’ educational and social identities and the position of globalisation and the information society in both facilitating and constraining students’ participation and future opportunities. The research confirms that the majority of students regard ICTs as necessary, important, and valuable to life. However, it reveals that some students perceive themselves as not being able to participate in the opportunities technology could offer them. In contrast to government rhetoric, ICTs are not the answer but should be viewed as part of the problem. Drawing on Foucault’s understanding of power as a choice under constraint, this methodological approach also enables examination of how students are empowered or disempowered through their Discourses about ICTs.
TopBackground To Critical Discourse Analysis In Is Research
The research described in this chapter is situated within the sphere of Critical Theory. Although critical IS research is characterized by a “diversity of topics, objectives, methods and philosophical roots,” it does have certain basic assumptions (Cecez-Kecmanovic, 2005, p. 20). In describing these, many authors have drawn on Alvesson and Deetz's three concerns, namely insight, critique, and transformative redefinitions (Cecez-Kecmanovic, 2005; Howcroft & Trauth, 2005; McGrath, 2005).
Whilst Critical Theory approaches are starting to take a modest but firm hold within Information Systems, Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is still in its infancy (Alvarez, 2005). Discourse analysis plays a role in understanding people’s interaction with ICTs, and can aid in interpreting the hidden meaning about ICTs and in understanding what ICTs are, how they can be used and how different interpretations affect use (Stahl, 2004).
Discourse analysis becomes critical when it seeks to analyze power relationships in society and it is often used in IS to criticize the status quo (particularly exclusion), for example the digital divide (Kvasny & Trauth, 2002). The dominant approach in IS, is perhaps more aptly described as a critical analysis of discourse, as it draws directly on critical theorists (usually Habermas, but to some extent Foucault) and does not form part of the more linguistically-oriented field of CDA..
Two researchers who are key in operationalizing a Habermasian approach to critical discourse analysis within IS are Cukier (Cukier, Bauer, & Middleton, 2004; Cukier, Ngwenyama, Bauer, & Middleton, 2009) and Stahl (2004, 2008a). Cukier and her colleagues have developed an approach to CDA which draws explicitly on Habermas' validity claims. They present an analysis of media discourses around a Canadian technology project called the Acadia Advantage (AA) (Cukier, et al., 2004, 2009). They used critical hermeneutics and content analysis to analyze a large corpus comprising 173 media texts. They focused largely on the content of the articles, i.e. statements about the advantages and disadvantages of the technology. They also looked at some of the language being used, i.e. adjectives and metaphors, to describe the project. They also examined the empirical analysis in terms of Habermas' four validity claims, i.e. truth, legitimacy, comprehensibility and sincerity. Findings showed the discourse around this project to be distorted and influenced by powerful players, such as suppliers and university administration.