Title
Using A Two-Step Transformation To Address Non-Normality From A Business Value Of Information Technology Perspective
Abstract
Accounting information systems (AIS) research data may suffer from severe non-normality, which, if not handled properly, may lead to incorrect statistical inferences. To address this problem, we empirically evaluate the relative merits of a Two-Step normality transformation proposed by Templeton (2011) compared to four alternative distributions available to researchers (random-normal, original, natural log transformed, and winsorization transformed). Using 45 corporate financial performance ratios (CFP), we investigated three perspectives on measurement validity: construct validity, reliability, and difference testing. We then examined the efficacy of the Two-Step method in the context of business value of IT research-we regressed four IT investment and three control variables on 31 of theoretically relevant CFP indicators. The preponderance of our evidence shows that the Two-Step method consistently outperforms the prominently used alternatives in achieving statistical normality, retaining original series means and standard deviations, exhibiting validity and reliability, and theory testing. Our findings strongly suggest that AIS researchers consider adopting the Two-Step normality transformation when utilizing non-normally distributed data to obtain a more accurate understanding and interpretation of results.
Year
DOI
Venue
2017
10.2308/isys-51510
JOURNAL OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Keywords
Field
DocType
Productivity Paradox, two-step transformation, normalization, parametric, non-parametric, difference testing, validity, reliability, business value of information technology
Econometrics,Normality,Business value,Accounting information system,Computer science,Nonparametric statistics,Parametric statistics,Control variable,Construct validity,Statistical inference
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
31
2
0888-7985
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
1
0.35
29
Authors
2
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Gary F. Templeton125715.75
Laurie L. Burney2112.93