Generalizability of Information Systems Research using student subjects--a reflection on our practices and recommendations for future research

Information systems researchers have debated the value and appropriateness of using students as research subjects. Authors who use student subjects rely on their scripted arguments to justify the use of student subjects. But reviewers who oppose the use of student subjects are equally culpable. They, too, rely on scripted arguments to criticize work using student subjects, and do not always consider whether those arguments are salient to the particular study. By presenting and reviewing one version of this script in the context of theoretical discussions of generalizability, the authors hope to demonstrate its limitations so that they can move beyond these scripted arguments into a more meaningful discussion. To do this, the authors review empirical studies from the period 1990-2010 to examine the extent to which student subjects are being used in the field. They conclude by presenting recommendations for authors and reviewers, for determining whether the use of students is appropriate in a particular context, and for presenting and discussing work that uses student subjects.