The purpose of the paper is to consider the expansion of the Information Systems Development Methodology to include the cognitive style variable.
The individual differences approach to decision making emphasizes that people exhibit “characteristic, self-consistent ways of functioning,” called cognitive styles, when dealing with perceptual and intellectual functions. These preferences are believed to negatively affect decision outcome when data is inconsistent with the decision maker’s cognitive style. Additionally, counteraction of style differences is seen to have a positive effect on decision outcome.
Review of the Information Systems Development Methodology reveals that every aspect of the design process, whether it be evaluation of alternatives or the definition of functions, requires some form of intellectual activity and decision making. Because cognitive style affects decision making, and information systems development is dependent on decision making, it is logical to conclude that consideration of the cognitive style variable during the development process will aid in the successful design of an information system.