WEBFRAME: A FRAMEWORK FOR INFORMING WEB DEVELOPERS’ METHODOLOGY SELECTION ROBERT M.KINMOND A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology, Staffordshire University September 2012

Abstract
This research explores web information systems developers‘ choices and use of methodologies. The stated aim of the research is to seek to identify key features of the developers‘ requirements for methodologies and then from this, to design a framework for use in practice. The literature review reveals that a great many methodologies are available but recent research also suggests that these are poorly used in practice. This study explores whether or not this is so and if so, why. Using an interpretevist epistemological framework the principles of Grounded Theory Methodology are used to conduct a mixed methods investigation. Structuration Theory offers a theoretical framework for analysis and development of the theory. An initial web-based survey aims to capture a breadth of developers‘ views and experiences. This is then followed with semi-structured interviews which enables exploration of the area in depth. The findings suggest that web information system developers are not following a published methodology but prefer instead to develop their own ‗bespoke‘ approach to suit the project. The developers seem to be aware of, and are using, traditional information system tools and importing them as appropriate into the web development methodologies. They are however, less aware or concerned with published web methodologies apparently needing greater flexibility and choice for developing web information systems than the published methodologies offer. Thus, the proposed new framework (entitled WEBFRAME) aims to provide web developers with a set of key principles to facilitate development of web information system development methodologies. This proposed framework is evaluated and validated by an expert panel of web developers with findings from this evaluation and validation reported here.