IDPM Working papers
This Working Paper is part of the iGovernment Working Papers series
Analysing eGovernment Research: Perspectives, Philosophies, Theories, Methods and Practice
Richard Heeks & Savita Bailur
Abstract
In recent years, there has been rapid growth in the volume of research output on the topic of e-government. To understand this research better, we used content analysis of 84 papers in e-government-specific research outlets (two journals and one conference series). Our analytical focus took in five main aspects: perspectives on the impacts of e-government, research philosophy, use of theory, methodology and method, and practical recommendations.
Normative evaluation identified some positive features, such as recognition of contextual factors beyond technology, and a diversity of referent domains and ideas. Alongside this, though, research draws mainly from a weak or confused positivism and is dominated by over-optimistic, a-theoretical work that has done little to accumulate either knowledge or practical guidance for e-government. Worse, there is a lack of clarity and lack of rigour about research methods alongside poor treatment of generalisation.
We suggest ways of strengthening e-government research but also draw out some deeper issues, such as the role of research philosophy and theory, and the institutional factors - particularly pressures of competition and time - that may constrain development of e-government as a research field.
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