TJTS5907 Laddering Interview Technique and Analysis (2–3 cr)

Open the course unit brochure on Sisu

Study level:

Advanced studies

Grading scale:

Pass - fail

Language:

English

Responsible organisation:

Faculty of Information Technology

Curriculum periods:

2023-2024

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This course introduces the Laddering interview technique.

Description

This course introduces the Laddering interview technique, an advanced qualitative approach to understanding complex system user behaviors and insights. Bridging theory with practical application, the course equips students with the skills to conduct in-depth interviews and thematic analyses, essential for unraveling intricate data narratives. The course comprises interactive sessions, a practical laddering clinic for hands-on experience, and a coding and analysis workshop. Combining theoretical knowledge and practical implementation, it prepares students to effectively collect and interpret qualitative data, invaluable for understanding value co-creation in information systems and digital services research and beyond.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:

• Have a thorough understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the Laddering interview method and its capabilities in data collection.

• Be able to identify the advantages and challenges of using qualitative interview methods in solving research problems.

• Gain skills to effectively use the Laddering interview technique as a method for data collection in scientific research.

• Develop the ability to compile and present meaningful representations of data collected through the Laddering interview method to address research questions effectively.

Additional information

The course enrollment is available in both on-site and hybrid formats.Enrollment is limited to 30 students, with priority given to those who opt for the on-site attendance option.

Weekly Schedule:

Meeting 1: Laddering Interview Method - Theory and Practice

• Introduction to the Laddering interview technique.• Overview of the theoretical background.• Discussion of practical aspects and implementation in research.Readings:1. “Laddering Theory, Method, Analysis, and Interpretation” (Reynolds & Gutman, 1988)2. “Micro-Level Mechanisms to Support Value Co-Creation for Design of Digital Services” (Tuunanen, Lumivalo, Vartiainen, Zhang & Myers, 2023).

Meeting 2: Laddering Clinic

• Preparation for conducting a Laddering interview.• Guidance on either individual or pair work for the practical exercise.• This session is designed to prepare students for the practical application of the Laddering technique, linked to a research project within the IT faculty.Readings:3. “Population targeted requirements acquisition” (Tuunanen & Peffers, 2018).4. “When Value Co-creation Turns to Co-Destruction: Users' Experiences of Augmented Reality Mobile Games” (Lintula, Tuunanen, Salo & Myers, 2018).

Meeting 3: Data Coding Workshop

• Techniques and methods for coding Laddering interview data.• This workshop will focus on the analysis aspect of the Laddering technique, allowing students to practice and refine their skills.Readings:5a. “Modular Service Design of Information Technology-Enabled Services” (Tuunanen, Salo & Li, 2023).AND/OR:5b. ”Digitaalisista palveluista kyberfyysisten palveluiden muotoiluun” (Tuunanen, 2021.)6. “The effect of culture on requirements: a value-based view of prioritization” (Tuunanen & Kuo, 2015).

Meeting 4: Thematic Analysis Workshop

• Conducting thematic analysis on coded laddering interview data.• This workshop will focus on the analysis aspect of the Laddering technique, allowing students to practice and refine their skills.Readings:7. “Extending Critical Success Factors Methodology to Facilitate Broadly Participative Information Systems Planning” (Peffers, Gengler & Tuunanen, 2003).8. “Wide audience requirements engineering (WARE): a practical method and case study” (Tuunanen, Peffers & Gengler, 2008).

Deliverables

Detailed instructions regarding each deliverable can be found on the Moodle course site.

• Practice interview assignment;• Project interview assignment;• Coding workshop deliverable; and• Thematic analysis workshop deliverable.

Study materials

Reference List:

1. Reynolds, T., & Gutman, J. (1988). Laddering Theory, Method, Analysis, and Interpretation. Journal of Advertising Research, 28(1), 11-31.

2. Tuunanen, T., Lumivalo, J., Vartiainen, T., Zhang, Y., & Myers, M. D. (2023). Micro-Level Mechanisms to Support Value Co-Creation for Design of Digital Services. Journal of Service Research, Online First.

3. Tuunanen, T., & Peffers, K. (2018). Population targeted requirements acquisition. European Journal of Information Systems, 27(6), 686-711.

4. Lintula, J., Tuunanen, T., Salo, M., & Myers, M. D. (2018). When Value Co-creation Turns to Co-Destruction: Users' Experiences of Augmented Reality Mobile Games. In International Conference on Information Systems. Association for Information Systems (AIS).

5a. Tuunanen, T., Salo, M., & Li, F. (2023). Modular Service Design of Information Technology-Enabled Services. Journal of Service Research, 26(2), 270-282.

5b. Tuunanen, T. (2021.) ”Digitaalisista palveluista kyberfyysisten palveluiden muotoiluun” in Muotoilun avaimet älykkääseen teollisuuteen ja liiketoiminnan ketterään kehittämiseen, Miettinen, S. (ed.), Teknologiateollisuus ry.

6. Tuunanen, T., & Kuo, I. T. (2015). The effect of culture on requirements: a value-based view of prioritization. European Journal of Information Systems, 24, 295-313.

7. Peffers, K., Gengler, C. E., & Tuunanen, T. (2003). Extending Critical Success Factors Methodology to Facilitate Broadly Participative Information Systems Planning. Journal of Management Information Systems, 20(1), 51-85.

8. Tuunanen, T., Peffers, K., & Gengler, C. (2008). Wide audience requirements engineering (WARE): a practical method and case study. All Sprouts Content. 83. https://aisel.aisnet.org/sprouts_all/83

Completion methods

Method 1

Description:

For 2 ECTS Credits: Students must participate in the first and second sessions and successfully submit the practice interview and the project interview assignments. For 3 ECTS Credits: Students must participate in all four sessions and successfully submit both the practice assignments and the coding and analysis assignment.

Select all marked parts

Parts of the completion methods

Participation in teaching (2–3 cr)

Type:

Participation in teaching