An analysis of methodologies utilised in e-government research: A user satisfaction perspective

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyse the research design, methodologies and approaches utilised in electronic government (e-government) research studies published in the last decade (2000-2012). Design/methodology/approach: A profiling approach is employed to analyse 114 (out of 3,934 from 2000 to 2012) e-government publications (with specific focus on user satisfaction) including examining variables such as country of research, sample size, type(s) of respondents, data collection methods, and statistical tools and techniques employed. Findings: Among the research design, methodologies and approaches adopted in the extant e-government research studies, the quantitative research based approach supported by statistical analysis was the most dominant approach applied by authors in the last decade. Few studies were found to use qualitative-based approaches such as case studies and interviews. Originality/value: The prime value and uniqueness of this research lies in presenting the type of research design, methodologies and approaches used in studies that focus on issues surrounding user satisfaction in e-government research. This has been achieved by synthesising existing publications in Electronic Government: An International Journal (EG), Electronic Journal of Electronic Government (EJEG), International Journal of Electronic Government Research (EJEGR), Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy (TG:PPP), Government Information Quarterly (GIQ), Public Administration Review (PAR), Public Administration: An International Quarterly (PA), Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory (JPART), and Local Government Studies (LGS).