Example of Application of the Hypothetico-Deductive Method in Organizations (Adapted

from Sekaran, U. (2000). Research methods for business. New York: John Wiley & Sons, pp.31-
2)

Example 1: THE CIO DILEMMA

Observation

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) of a firm observes that the newly installed Management Information
System (MIS) is not being used by middle managers as much as originally expected. The managers often
approach the CIO or go to some other ‘computer experts’ for help, or worse still, make decisions without
facts. “There is surely a problem here” the CIO exclaims.

Based on the simple scenario above:

(a) Discuss how you would gather the relevant information.
 Interview (or talking) to some of the middle-level managers.
 Plausibe findings: The CIO finds that many of them have very little idea as to what MIS is all
about.
 CIO may use the internet (review of literature) to explore additional information on the lack of
use of MIS in organizations.
 Plausible findings: (1) The search indicates that many middle-level managers – especially the old-
timers – are not familiar with operating personal computers and experience ‘computer anxiety’;
(2) Lack of knowledge about what MIS offers is found to be another main reason why some
managers do not use MIS.

(b) Based on all the information, formulate a theory about what is happening.
 Develops a theory incorporating all the relevant factors contributing to the lack of access of the
MIS by managers in the organization.

(c) From such a theory above, generate a hypothesis or two for testing.
 Knowledge of the usefulness of MIS would help managers to put the MIS to greater use.
(d) Conceptual Framework

Independent Variable  Dependent Variable  Measuring instruments

(e) How would you collect the data to support your hypotheses?
 The CIO then develops a short questionnaire on the various factors theorized to influence the
use of the MIS by managers, such as the extent of knowledge of what MIS is, what kinds of
information MIS provides, how to access the information, and the level of comfort felt by
managers in using computers in general, and finally, how often managers have accessed the MIS
in the preceding three months.

(f) How would you analyze your data?

 The CIO then analyzes the data obtained through the questionnaire to determine what factors
prevent the managers from using the system.
 He may use a statistical software package to analyze his data.
(g) What can you deduce from your results?
 Based on the results, the CIO deduces or concludes that managers do not use MIS owing to certain
factors.
 These deduction help the CIO to take necessary action to rectify the situation, which might
include, among other things, seminars for training managers on the use of computers, and MIS
and its usefulness.