Digital Trace Data as Measurement Instruments for Variance-Theoretic Research in Information Systems

Driven by the digitization of organizations, digital trace data offer novel insights into human behaviors with technology. Digital trace data are longitudinal records of tech-nology use. Over the last years, we have seen a surge in interest with growing empirical applications and research into the conceptual and methodological foundations of digital trace data research. So far, however, using digital trace data as a basis for measurement instruments in traditional variance-theoretical applications has received little attention, alt-hough they may enable novel analyses for theorizing from digitized contexts. The nascent research using digital trace data as measurement instruments has received critiques about validity problems, suggesting that guidelines for robust construct operationalizations are needed. Based on a literature review, this chapter identifies sources for validity problems with digital trace data. I further derive recommendations for assessing and reporting instru-ment validity with digital trace data. Thereby, this chapter contributes to improving the robustness of quantitative research using digital trace data.