Characterization of the interaction between Actinin-Associated LIM Protein (ALP) and the rod domain of α-actinin

Abstract Background The PDZ-LIM proteins are a family of signalling adaptors that interact with the actin cross-linking protein, α-actinin, via their PDZ domains or via internal regions between the PDZ and LIM domains. Three of the PDZ-LIM proteins have a conserved 26-residue ZM motif in the internal region, but the structure of the internal region is unknown. Results In this study, using circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), we showed that the ALP internal region (residues 107–273) was largely unfolded in solution, but was able to interact with the α-actinin rod domain in vitro, and to co-localize with α-actinin on stress fibres in vivo. NMR analysis revealed that the ti…

Mechanistic Explanations and Deliberate Misrepresentations

The philosophy of mechanisms has developed rapidly during the last 30 years. As mechanisms-based explanations (MBEs) are often seen as an alternative to nomological, law-based explanations, MBEs could be relevant in IS. We begin by offering a short history of mechanistic philosophy and set out to clarify the contemporary landscape. We then suggest that mechanistic models provide an alternative to variance and process models in IS. Finally, we highlight how MBEs typically contain deliberate misrepresentations. Although MBEs have recently been advocated as critical realist (CR) accounts in IS, idealizations (deliberate misrepresentations) seem to violate some fundamental tenets of CR and rese…

Updating the Philosophy of Middle-Range Theories : Implications for IS

Merton’s concepts of middle-range theories (MRTs) and grand theories (GTs) are widely mentioned in information systems (IS) theorizing literature. On one hand, numerous IS authors claim that MRTs are common in IS or that design science theories are MRTs. On the other hand, others report that too much focus is placed on GTs (instead of MRTs) in IS. Moreover, MRTs and GTs have acquired a normative role in IS. Given such disagreements and the normative role of MRTs and GTs, there is a need to examine what Merton’s GT and MRT are. The aim of this paper is to start such a discussion by providing an interpretation of Merton’s GT and MRT. We contest many IS views on Merton. We also suggest that Me…

Narrowing the Theory’s or Study’s Scope May Increase Practical Relevance

The Primary Scientific Contribution Is Hardly a Theory in Design Science Research

Generally, to publish a paper in a top IS journal, making a new theory contribution is, so we are told, required. Such a requirement also exists in Design Science Research (DSR) literature. We review a number of claims about the necessity of theory as it applies to DSR. We find these claims wanting. For example, medical research and engineering are both called “design science” in Simon’s(1996) Sciences of the Artificial. However, most articles in the top medical, computer engineering, and network engineering journals do not develop new theories. Unless the proponents of theories, as the primary vehicle of scientific DSR knowledge, can offer a satisfactory argument for why theories are the p…

Narrowing the Theory’s or Study’s Scope May Increase Practical Relevance

Numerous articles in top IS journals note as a limitation and lack of generalizability that their findings are specific to a certain type of technology, culture, and so on. We argue that this generalizability concern is about limited scope (e.g., explanatory breadth). The IS literature notes this preference for generalizability as a characteristic of good science and it is sometimes confused with statistical generalizability We argue that such generalizability can be in conflict with explanation or prediction accuracy. An increase in scope (e.g., increasing explanatory breadth) can decrease explanation or prediction accuracy. Thus, in sciences such as cancer research, where explanation and …

Why is the hypothetico-deductive (H-D) method in information systems not an H-D method?

The hypothetico-deductive (H-D) method is reported to be common in information systems (IS). In IS, the H-D method is often presented as a Popperian, Hempelian, or natural science method. However, there are many fundamental differences between what Popper or Hempel actually say and what the alleged H-D method per Hempel or per Popper means in IS. To avoid possible misunderstanding and conceptual confusion about the basic philosophical concepts, we explain some of these differences, which are not mentioned in IS literature describing the H-D model. Due to these distinctive differences, the alleged H-D method per Hempel or per Popper in IS cannot be regarded as the H-D model per Hempel or per…

Zasp/Cypher internal ZM-motif containing fragments are sufficient to co-localize with α-actinin—Analysis of patient mutations

Z-band alternatively spliced PDZ-containing protein (ZASP/Cypher) has an important role in maintaining Z-disc stability in striated and cardiac muscle. ZASP/Cypher interacts through its PDZ domain with the major Z-disc actin cross-linker, alpha-actinin. ZASP/Cypher also has a conserved sequence called the ZM-motif, and it is found in two alternatively spliced exons 4 and 6. We have shown earlier that the ZM-motif containing internal regions of two related proteins ALP and CLP36 interact with alpha-actinin rod region, and that the ZM-motif is important in targeting ALP to the alpha-actinin containing structures in cell. Here, we show that the ZASP/Cypher internal fragments containing either …

On natural science beliefs in IS : Short comments to commentators

Demystifying beliefs about the natural sciences in information system

On natural science beliefs in IS: Short comments to commentators

Demystifying beliefs about the natural sciences in information system

The Primary Scientific Contribution is Hardly a Theory in Design Science Research

Generally, to publish a paper in a top IS journal, making a new theory contribution is, so we are told, required. Such a requirement also exists in Design Science Research (DSR) literature. We review a number of claims about the necessity of theory as it applies to DSR. We find these claims wanting. For example, medical research and engineering are both called “design science” in (Simon 1996) Sciences of the Artificial. However, most articles in the top medical, computer engineering, and network engineering journals do not develop new theories. Unless the proponents of theories, as the primary vehicle of scientific DSR knowledge, can offer a satisfactory argument for why theories are the pr…

Why is the hypothetico-deductive (H-D) method in information systems not an H-D method?

Abstract The hypothetico-deductive (H-D) method is reported to be common in information systems (IS). In IS, the H-D method is often presented as a Popperian, Hempelian, or natural science method. However, there are many fundamental differences between what Popper or Hempel actually say and what the alleged H-D method per Hempel or per Popper means in IS. To avoid possible misunderstanding and conceptual confusion about the basic philosophical concepts, we explain some of these differences, which are not mentioned in IS literature describing the H-D model. Due to these distinctive differences, the alleged H-D method per Hempel or per Popper in IS cannot be regarded as the H-D model per Hemp…

How and Why ‘Theory’ Is Often Misunderstood in Information Systems Literature

IS theory accounts have increased our understanding of scientific theories. However, many influential theory accounts in Information Systems (IS) are influenced by the Received View of scientific theory (RV), which flourished in the philosophy of science around 1930-1969. The RV has been widely rejected in the philosophy of science, as the theory ignored much of the actual scientific context, and it mischaracterized several important characteristics of scientific research and theories. Although RV ideas were crafted for philosophers’ philosophical purposes, and not for scientists’ use, several IS scholars seem to believe that some of the RV theses represent actual (good or strong) scientifi…