Structuring Action and Reflection in Information Systems Action Research Studies Using Checkland's FMA Model

Abstract

Authors of interpretive information systems (IS) work are claiming more frequently to be drawing upon action research as a means of undertaking IS research. The literature, while containing many useful discussions about the fundamental concepts of action research and case studies reporting its use, has little to offer the IS researcher in terms of practical guidance about conducting an action research study. The intention in this paper is to draw upon personal experiences to offer some practical guidance and warnings for the would-be IS action researcher. To do this we use Checkland's description of research (what we refer to as the FMA model) as a way of helping us to consider the action research process of our own formal IS studies and to report our experiences and lessons. We attempt to set out these experiences and lessons in a way that is consistent with an action research study.