What is Desk Research

The investigation of information systems (IS) development usually relies on two different research approaches, namely, quantitative approach and qualitative approach. Both approaches are equally important and useful to the development of IS theories. No research approach should be considered to be superior or inferior to the other. However, the mainstream of Chinese IS research mainly follows the quantitative approach, whereas the qualitative approach is generally viewed as “too soft” or not scientific enough. As a qualitative approach, desk case-study research approach has been widely accepted and applied in a number of IS research in the West. However, in China, this approach is merely considered as an effective approach for teaching, but not valid for scientific research investigations. Thus, Chinese IS research have neglected a number of important experiences, viewpoints and lessons, which can be elicited from IS case-studies occurred in the past. This chapter generally aims at introducing and discussing the desk case-study approach in IS research. Specifically, this chapter discusses this approach through four incremental research stages, namely, defining the research question, establishing theoretical framework from literature review, case-study selection, and theory formulation through case-study analysis. Furthermore, two exemplary research projects are presented in this chapter to further clarify and substantiate the research methods, tools and processes. It is expected that by formulating a rigorous research framework and specifying incremental processes of theory development, this research approach could be accepted and used by Chinese IS scholars in the future.