Combining Pragmatism and Critical Realism in ICT4D Research: An e-Resilience Case Example

Richard Heeks; Angelica V. Ospina; P. J. Wall

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-19115-3_2

Combining Pragmatism and Critical Realism in ICT4D Research: An e-Resilience Case Example

Richard Heeks^*, Angelica V. Ospina, P. J. Wall

^*Corresponding author for this work

Global Development Institute

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

1483 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

ICT4D research is strongly oriented to practice but hardly ever explicitly uses the research paradigm of pragmatism. We argue that, though highly-relevant to ICT4D, pragmatism suffers some shortcomings in terms of its philosophy of the world, explanatory power, truth-testing, and values. We suggest that "pragmatist-critical realism" - a novel research paradigm combining pragmatism and critical realism - can address these shortcomings and provide a valuable foundation for ICT4D research; particularly action-oriented research. We outline a four-step operational methodology for pragmatist-critical realism based on a research project that created an "e-resilience" action plan applying ICTs to strengthen resilience of farming communities in Uganda. We hope other action- and design-oriented ICT4D researchers will be encouraged to assess whether pragmatist-critical realism could form a useful basis for their future research.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Information and Communication Technologies for Development
Editors	Petter Nielsen, Honest Christopher Kimaro
Publisher	Springer Nature
Pages	14-25
Number of pages	12
ISBN (Print)	9783030191146
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19115-3_2
Publication status	Published - 2019
Event	15th International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of Duration: 1 May 2019 → 3 May 2019

Publication series

Name	IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology
Volume	552
ISSN (Print)	1868-4238

Conference

Conference	15th International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries
Abbreviated title	ICT4D 2019
Country/Territory	Tanzania, United Republic of
City	Dar es Salaam
Period	1/05/19 → 3/05/19

Keywords

Critical realism
ICT4D
Methodology
Pragmatism
Resilience

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

Global Development Institute
Manchester Urban Institute

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-030-19115-3_2

Pragmatist-Critical Realism IFIP WG9.4 AAMAccepted author manuscript, 625 KB

Cite this

Heeks, R., Ospina, A. V., & Wall, P. J. (2019). Combining Pragmatism and Critical Realism in ICT4D Research: An e-Resilience Case Example. In P. Nielsen, & H. C. Kimaro (Eds.), Information and Communication Technologies for Development (pp. 14-25). (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology; Vol. 552). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19115-3_2

@inproceedings{116f5e66acdc454d84ae20df452335e8,

title = "Combining Pragmatism and Critical Realism in ICT4D Research: An e-Resilience Case Example",

abstract = "ICT4D research is strongly oriented to practice but hardly ever explicitly uses the research paradigm of pragmatism. We argue that, though highly-relevant to ICT4D, pragmatism suffers some shortcomings in terms of its philosophy of the world, explanatory power, truth-testing, and values. We suggest that {"}pragmatist-critical realism{"} - a novel research paradigm combining pragmatism and critical realism - can address these shortcomings and provide a valuable foundation for ICT4D research; particularly action-oriented research. We outline a four-step operational methodology for pragmatist-critical realism based on a research project that created an {"}e-resilience{"} action plan applying ICTs to strengthen resilience of farming communities in Uganda. We hope other action- and design-oriented ICT4D researchers will be encouraged to assess whether pragmatist-critical realism could form a useful basis for their future research.",

keywords = "Critical realism, ICT4D, Methodology, Pragmatism, Resilience",

author = "Richard Heeks and Ospina, {Angelica V.} and Wall, {P. J.}",

year = "2019",

doi = "10.1007/978-3-030-19115-3_2",

language = "English",

isbn = "9783030191146",

series = "IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology",

publisher = "Springer Nature",

pages = "14--25",

editor = "Petter Nielsen and Kimaro, {Honest Christopher}",

booktitle = "Information and Communication Technologies for Development",

address = "United States",

note = "15th International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, ICT4D 2019 ; Conference date: 01-05-2019 Through 03-05-2019",

}

Heeks, R, Ospina, AV & Wall, PJ 2019, Combining Pragmatism and Critical Realism in ICT4D Research: An e-Resilience Case Example. in P Nielsen & HC Kimaro (eds), Information and Communication Technologies for Development. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, vol. 552, Springer Nature, pp. 14-25, 15th International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of, 1/05/19. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19115-3_2

Combining Pragmatism and Critical Realism in ICT4D Research: An e-Resilience Case Example. / Heeks, Richard; Ospina, Angelica V.; Wall, P. J.
Information and Communication Technologies for Development. ed. / Petter Nielsen; Honest Christopher Kimaro. Springer Nature, 2019. p. 14-25 (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology; Vol. 552).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Combining Pragmatism and Critical Realism in ICT4D Research

T2 - 15th International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries

AU - Heeks, Richard

AU - Ospina, Angelica V.

AU - Wall, P. J.

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - ICT4D research is strongly oriented to practice but hardly ever explicitly uses the research paradigm of pragmatism. We argue that, though highly-relevant to ICT4D, pragmatism suffers some shortcomings in terms of its philosophy of the world, explanatory power, truth-testing, and values. We suggest that "pragmatist-critical realism" - a novel research paradigm combining pragmatism and critical realism - can address these shortcomings and provide a valuable foundation for ICT4D research; particularly action-oriented research. We outline a four-step operational methodology for pragmatist-critical realism based on a research project that created an "e-resilience" action plan applying ICTs to strengthen resilience of farming communities in Uganda. We hope other action- and design-oriented ICT4D researchers will be encouraged to assess whether pragmatist-critical realism could form a useful basis for their future research.

AB - ICT4D research is strongly oriented to practice but hardly ever explicitly uses the research paradigm of pragmatism. We argue that, though highly-relevant to ICT4D, pragmatism suffers some shortcomings in terms of its philosophy of the world, explanatory power, truth-testing, and values. We suggest that "pragmatist-critical realism" - a novel research paradigm combining pragmatism and critical realism - can address these shortcomings and provide a valuable foundation for ICT4D research; particularly action-oriented research. We outline a four-step operational methodology for pragmatist-critical realism based on a research project that created an "e-resilience" action plan applying ICTs to strengthen resilience of farming communities in Uganda. We hope other action- and design-oriented ICT4D researchers will be encouraged to assess whether pragmatist-critical realism could form a useful basis for their future research.

KW - Critical realism

KW - ICT4D

KW - Methodology

KW - Pragmatism

KW - Resilience

U2 - 10.1007/978-3-030-19115-3_2

DO - 10.1007/978-3-030-19115-3_2

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:85065697234

SN - 9783030191146

T3 - IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology

SP - 14

EP - 25

BT - Information and Communication Technologies for Development

A2 - Nielsen, Petter

A2 - Kimaro, Honest Christopher

PB - Springer Nature

Y2 - 1 May 2019 through 3 May 2019

ER -

Combining Pragmatism and Critical Realism in ICT4D Research: An e-Resilience Case Example

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Keywords

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this