Quantitative Methodologies using Multi-Methods

Written for researchers engaged in quantitative non-parametric investigations, particularly in the area of Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D), the book discusses multi-method methodologies based on the building-block design. Application of the methodologies is illustrated by research into ICT4D in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Sergey Samoilenko is an associate professor and the Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Computer Information Systems at Averett University, in Danville, Virginia. Sergey's current research interests include IT and productivity, data mining, and IS development. He holds his PhD and MS in information systems from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has published in the European Journal of Operational Research, Journal of Global Information Technology Management, International Journal of Production Economics, Expert Systems with Applications, and Information Systems Frontiers, among other journals, as well as in numerous conference proceedings. Kweku-Muata Osei-Bryson is professor of Information Systems at Virginia Commonwealth University. Previously he was professor of information systems and decision analysis in the School of Business at Howard University, Washington, DC, USA. He has also worked as an information systems practitioner in both industry and government. His research areas include: Data Mining, Decision Support Systems, Knowledge Management, IS Security, e-Commerce, IT for Development, Database Management, IS Outsourcing, Multi-Criteria Decision Making. He has published in various leading journals including: Decision Support Systems, Information Systems Journal, Expert Systems with Applications, European Journal of Information Systems, Information Systems Frontiers, Knowledge Management Research & Practice, Information Sciences, Information & Management, Journal of the Association for Information Systems, Journal of Information Technology for Development, Journal of Database Management, Computers & Operations Research, Journal of the Operational Research Society, & the European Journal of Operational Research.

Section I: Development of the Methodological Modules. 1. Pre Requisite General Questions. 2. Components of Multi-Method Methodologies. 3. Framework for Methodological Modules. Section II: Description of the Methodological Modules. 4. A1: Homogeneous Sample - DEA and DTI. 5. A2: Homogeneous Sample - DEA and ARM. 6. B1: Heterogeneous Sample (Groupings Are Given) DTI and ARM. 7. B2: Heterogeneous Sample (Groupings Are Given) - DTI and MR. 8. B3: Heterogeneous Sample (Groupings Are Given) - DTI, DEA, and ARM. 9. B4: Heterogeneous Sample (Groupings Are Given) - DTI, DEA, and NN. 10. C1: Heterogeneous Sample (Groupings Are Not Known) CA and DTI. 11. C2: Heterogeneous Sample (Groupings Are Not Known) - CA and ARM. C3: Heterogeneous Sample (Groupings Are Not Known) - CA, DTI, and MR. 13: C4: Heterogeneous Sample (Groupngs Are Not Known) - CA, DTI, and ARM. 14. C5: Heterogeneous Sample (Groupings Are Not Known) - CA and DEA. 15. C6: Heterogeneous Sample (Groupings Are Not Known) - CA, DEA, and ARM. 16. C7: Heterogeneous Sample (Groupings Are Not Known) - CEA, DTI, and DEA. 17. C8: Heterogeneous Sample: Groupings Are Not Known) - CA, DTI, DEA, and NN. Section III: Methodological Modules - Examples of their Application. 18. A Hybrid DEA/DM-based DSS for Productivity-Driven Environments. 19. Determining Sources of Relative Inefficiency in Heterogeneous Samples. 20.Exploring Context Specific Micro-Economic Impacts of ITC Capabilities. 21. A Methodology for Identifying Sources of Disparities in the Socio-econimic Outcomes of ITC Capabilities in SSA's. 22. Discovering Common Casual Structures that Describe Context-Diverse Heterogeneous Groups. 23. An Empirical Investigation of ITC Capabilities and the Cost of Business Start-up Procedures in Sub-Saharan African Economies. 24. Exploring the Socio-Economic Impacts of ITC-Enabled Public Value in Sub-Saharan Africa. 25. Contributing Factors to Information Technology Investment Utilization in Transition Economies. 26. Increasing the Discriminatory Power of DEA in the Presence of the Sample Heterogeneity with Cluster Analysis and Decision Trees. 27. An Exploration of the Intrinsic Negative Socio-economic Implications of ICT Interventions. Section IV: Appendix X. Appendix X1: Modls of Economic Growth. Appendix X2: A Model of the Socio-economic Impact of ICT.