Scientific Method: The BYOD Debate The Scientific Method

The scientific method is a recipe for constructing non-arbitrary, consistent, and reliable representations of natural phenomena by collecting and analyzing relevant data in a systematic and organized manner. It forms the basis of theory-development, and generally comprises of five major steps -- i) formulation of a question about the phenomenon of interest; ii) development of hypotheses based on knowledge obtained from existing theories and literature; iii) conduction of independent experimental tests to test the formulated hypotheses; and iv) recording of data or primary observations from the experiment; v) comparison of the gathered data and hypotheses (Rochester University, n.d,.). Experimental data will either rule out or confirm the hypotheses for which the test was conducted. In case the data does not support the hypotheses, the researcher is required to repeat the experiment for confirmation; and if the two are repeatedly incompatible, they are supposed to modify the hypotheses so that they are a valid representation of nature (Rochester University, n.d.).

The scientific Method in Information Systems and Communication

In business information technology, the scientific method provides an effective framework for IT managers to make crucial decisions on, for instance, the computer model that would best suit the nature of the organization, the IT infrastructure that would help the organization realize its goals effectively, the most effective data networks for the organization, and so on. The scientific method helps managers to avoid being guided by bias and intuition in the making of crucial decisions (Zikmund, Babin, Carr & Griffin, 2012). It provides a basis for them to test their intuitions scientifically through systematically-collected data so that they are able to make choices and decisions that serve the best interests of the organization and its owners (Zikmund, Babin, Carr & Griffin, 2012). We can imagine, for instance, a situation where an IT manager has to make a choice between investing in hardware components from a large, established manufacturer such as Apple, and a smaller manufacturer such as Acer Inc. Intuition would automatically drive him/her to prefer the large manufacturer; but the scientific method would require him to put this intuition in the form of a testable hypothesis, say 'components manufactured by Apple are better than those...

Some organizations extend company-owned devices to their employees to facilitate their virtual operations (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, 2013). Word has it that the BYOD programs increase organizational efficiency, saving the organization the need to invest in high-cost company devices and plans, and making it possible for employees to conveniently access company files and contacts, and also respond to client needs from anywhere (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, 2013).
However, there is concern that BYOD programs, especially in those companies that do not provide company-owned devices, would pave way for the development of the 'mine is better than yours' syndrome, and this would bring about inequality among employees, making some feel inferior and less motivated. Moreover, there is a high likelihood that the program would distract employees from their functions at the workplace and make them more preoccupied with social networking apps, games, and other forms of business-unrelated content that would now be easily accessible.

Based on this background, the author is interested in establishing whether the BYOD program is a worthy investment. In spite of the shortcomings identified earlier on, he hypothesizes that:

Hypothesis: The BYOD program increases worker output and organizational performance, and is towards that end, an investment worth considering

Hypothesis-Testing

There are two major ways through which the stated hypothesis could be measured.

Pilot Experiment: the IT manager could implement the program…