RESOLVING DIFFERENCE SCORE ISSUES IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS RESEARCH

    Authors

    G. Klein; J. J. Jiang;P. Cheney

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Mis Q.

    Keywords

    Difference scores; indirect measures; polynomial regression analysis; IS; SERVQUAL; EXPECTATION-CONFIRMATION MODEL; SERVICE QUALITY CONCERNS; EQUATION; MODELS; E-COMMERCE; FIT; SATISFACTION; PERFORMANCE; IMPACT; CONGRUENCE; WORK; Computer Science, Information Systems; Information Science & Library; Science; Management

    Abstract

    A number of models and theories in information systems research include concepts of a match between two variables or states. The development of measures for this concept can present problems, because decisions must be made about the nature of the comparison. Should indirect measures of the match be employed, then methodological issues arise about how to best handle the measure when testing the model. Difference scores are commonly used to measure a match between variables or states in IS research, but these have implicit assumptions about the theory and data characteristics that are often false. Not unexpectedly, false assumptions can lead to erroneous conclusions about the relationships among the variables that are used to determine a match in a research model. The implicit assumptions restrict the form of the relationships and limit the IS researchers ability to understand the possible interplay among theoretical concepts. We suggest some guidelines for the formation and testing of models that measure the match. In addition, we recommend polynomial regression analysis as one means of analyzing the more complex relationships in IS studies. We then use an IS service quality example to illustrate the issues involved in the use of matching variables and make suggestions with regard to using or avoiding difference scores.

    Journal Title

    Mis Quarterly

    Volume

    33

    Issue/Number

    4

    Publication Date

    1-1-2009

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    811

    Last Page

    826

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000272211500011

    ISSN

    0276-7783

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