Document Analysis as a Robust Qualitative Research Method in the Context of Computing and Information Systems

Abstract

This narrative review aimed to track the adoption of the document analysis approach and to understand the extent to which it has been used as a robust stand-alone qualitative research method in the context of computing and Information Systems (IS). Although document analysis research method is seen as a valuable and beneficial research approach, a thematic synthesis of the studies revealed limited or scant use and adoption of this method in the field of computing and Information Systems (IS). This study is intended to bridge the disparity in literature by focusing on how document analysis can be used as a robust stand-alone approach through determining the importance of conducting qualitative document analysis in computing and IS research, the criteria to effectively select the relevant documents for qualitative research as well as the strengths and limitations of using document analysis as stand-alone qualitative research in the context of Computing and IS. The chapter thus mapped and provided insights into the use of document analysis as an independent qualitative research method in order to understand the deeper meaning and underlying patterns within the documents.