1ZM130 & 1ZM140 | Design Science Methodology
Book and compulsory literature (2019)
Design Science Research:
A method for science and technology advancement
By Dresch et al
This Sick Hard Summary has been summarized with joy.
,Table of Contents
Chapter 1 General Aspects Related to Research in Management 3
1.1 Introduction 3
Chapter 2 - An Overflight Over Research 4
2.1 Science 4
2.2 Research: A Proposal For Its Structuring 5
2.3 Scientific Methods 5
2.4 Research Methods 7
2.5 Work Method 10
2.6 Techniques for Gathering and Analyzing Data 11
Chapter 3 - The Science of the Artificial 16
3.1 Criticism of the Traditional Sciences 16
3.2 History of Design Science 17
3.3 Design Science and Its Structure 18
Chapter 4 - Design Science Research 22
4.1 Concepts and Foundations of Design Science Research 22
4.2 Methods Formalized to Operationalize Design Science 24
4.3 Characterization of Design Science Research, Case Study, and Action Research. 34
4.1 Validity of Research 36
Chapter 5 - Class of Problems and Artifacts 38
5.1 Concept of Class of Problems 38
5.2 Concept and Types of Artifacts 40
5.3 A trajectory for research development in design science 40
Chapter 6 - Proposal for the Conduct of Design Science Research 41
6.1 The Context of This Proposal 41
6.2 Recommendations for Conducting Design Science Research 41
Chapter 7 - Systematic Literature Review 45
7.1 Definitions, Origins and Needs 45
7.2 Method for Constructing the Research Base 45
7.3 Systematic Literature Review and Design Science Research: A Possible and Necessary Connection 57
Boland, B.J., & Collopy, F. (2004). Design matters for management. 59
Denyer et al (2008) Developing Design Propositions Through Research Synthesis 61
Dorst et al (2003) The problem of design problems 63
Venable et al (2016) FEDS: a Framework for Evaluation in Design Science Research 67
Holmström, J., Ketokivi, M., & Hameri, A.P. (2009). Bridging practice and theory: A design science approach. 70
2
,Chapter 1 General Aspects Related to Research in
Management
1.1 Introduction
Researchers worry their work is rarely applied in practice. Research is aimed at theory, whereas
professionals want to receive information that may be useful for solving day-to-day problems; there
is a lack of relevance. For research to be scientifically respected and reliable, it should however not
only be relevant but also rigorous.
Rigor can be achieved by using research methods when conducting investigative work. These
research methods should, in turn, be aligned with the nature of the problem. Rigor is beneficial to
the work’s validity and, consequently, its recognition as reliable and well-conducted.
Lately, management has an increasing need for appropriate research methods for different research
problems. A diversified portfolio of research methods is beneficial for this. Research in management
might not only explore, describe, and explain a phenomenon as is often considered. It also studies
the design and creation of artifacts.
Artifacts are described as “artificial objects that may be characterized in terms of goals, functions,
and adaptations (...) that are normally discussed, particularly when being conceived, both in
imperative and descriptive terms”. Artifacts are descriptive in regards to communication, and the
information about the artifact itself. They are however imperative in sense of determining the
normative issues that involve building and applying the artifact. The purpose in artefacts is to effect
change in a system, solving problems, and allowing better performance of the system as a whole.
Some research methods are more fit for prescriptive nature (e.g. case study, action research) and
often written in fields such as production. However, selecting the correct research method is a
significant factor in obtaining research rigor. Design concepts can be used in research to modernize
research methods, as advocated by Daft and Lewin. It is recommended to integrate several
disciplines for a broader view of the problem - subsequently increasing relevance for professionals.
3
, Chapter 2 - An Overflight Over Research
For knowledge production to be adequate, one critical factor for success is to guarantee that the
right information is generated in the right format for the right user. Thiollent states that knowledge
is produced based on the information obtained from two sources:
1. Research authors – through their structuring of knowledge
2. Users who apply this knowledge in solving their real problems
2.1 Science
Science = “A collection of rational knowledge, certain or probable, methodically obtained,
systematized and verifiable, that makes reference to objects of one same nature.”
Science can be classified into:
1. Factual science: explores, describes, explains, and predicts phenomena.
a. Natural sciences: encompass disciplines such as physics, chemistry, and biology.
Natural sciences are those whose goal is to understand complex phenomena.
b. Social sciences: include subjects such as sociology, politics, economics,
anthropology, and history.
Social sciences seek to describe, understand, and reflect on human beings and their
actions.
2. Formal science: encompasses subjects such as logic and mathematics
Research conducted in the social sciences is usually questioned based on its subjectivity because one
usually cannot easily demonstrate how rigorously a study has been conducted.
4
Book and compulsory literature (2019)
Design Science Research:
A method for science and technology advancement
By Dresch et al
This Sick Hard Summary has been summarized with joy.
,Table of Contents
Chapter 1 General Aspects Related to Research in Management 3
1.1 Introduction 3
Chapter 2 - An Overflight Over Research 4
2.1 Science 4
2.2 Research: A Proposal For Its Structuring 5
2.3 Scientific Methods 5
2.4 Research Methods 7
2.5 Work Method 10
2.6 Techniques for Gathering and Analyzing Data 11
Chapter 3 - The Science of the Artificial 16
3.1 Criticism of the Traditional Sciences 16
3.2 History of Design Science 17
3.3 Design Science and Its Structure 18
Chapter 4 - Design Science Research 22
4.1 Concepts and Foundations of Design Science Research 22
4.2 Methods Formalized to Operationalize Design Science 24
4.3 Characterization of Design Science Research, Case Study, and Action Research. 34
4.1 Validity of Research 36
Chapter 5 - Class of Problems and Artifacts 38
5.1 Concept of Class of Problems 38
5.2 Concept and Types of Artifacts 40
5.3 A trajectory for research development in design science 40
Chapter 6 - Proposal for the Conduct of Design Science Research 41
6.1 The Context of This Proposal 41
6.2 Recommendations for Conducting Design Science Research 41
Chapter 7 - Systematic Literature Review 45
7.1 Definitions, Origins and Needs 45
7.2 Method for Constructing the Research Base 45
7.3 Systematic Literature Review and Design Science Research: A Possible and Necessary Connection 57
Boland, B.J., & Collopy, F. (2004). Design matters for management. 59
Denyer et al (2008) Developing Design Propositions Through Research Synthesis 61
Dorst et al (2003) The problem of design problems 63
Venable et al (2016) FEDS: a Framework for Evaluation in Design Science Research 67
Holmström, J., Ketokivi, M., & Hameri, A.P. (2009). Bridging practice and theory: A design science approach. 70
2
,Chapter 1 General Aspects Related to Research in
Management
1.1 Introduction
Researchers worry their work is rarely applied in practice. Research is aimed at theory, whereas
professionals want to receive information that may be useful for solving day-to-day problems; there
is a lack of relevance. For research to be scientifically respected and reliable, it should however not
only be relevant but also rigorous.
Rigor can be achieved by using research methods when conducting investigative work. These
research methods should, in turn, be aligned with the nature of the problem. Rigor is beneficial to
the work’s validity and, consequently, its recognition as reliable and well-conducted.
Lately, management has an increasing need for appropriate research methods for different research
problems. A diversified portfolio of research methods is beneficial for this. Research in management
might not only explore, describe, and explain a phenomenon as is often considered. It also studies
the design and creation of artifacts.
Artifacts are described as “artificial objects that may be characterized in terms of goals, functions,
and adaptations (...) that are normally discussed, particularly when being conceived, both in
imperative and descriptive terms”. Artifacts are descriptive in regards to communication, and the
information about the artifact itself. They are however imperative in sense of determining the
normative issues that involve building and applying the artifact. The purpose in artefacts is to effect
change in a system, solving problems, and allowing better performance of the system as a whole.
Some research methods are more fit for prescriptive nature (e.g. case study, action research) and
often written in fields such as production. However, selecting the correct research method is a
significant factor in obtaining research rigor. Design concepts can be used in research to modernize
research methods, as advocated by Daft and Lewin. It is recommended to integrate several
disciplines for a broader view of the problem - subsequently increasing relevance for professionals.
3
, Chapter 2 - An Overflight Over Research
For knowledge production to be adequate, one critical factor for success is to guarantee that the
right information is generated in the right format for the right user. Thiollent states that knowledge
is produced based on the information obtained from two sources:
1. Research authors – through their structuring of knowledge
2. Users who apply this knowledge in solving their real problems
2.1 Science
Science = “A collection of rational knowledge, certain or probable, methodically obtained,
systematized and verifiable, that makes reference to objects of one same nature.”
Science can be classified into:
1. Factual science: explores, describes, explains, and predicts phenomena.
a. Natural sciences: encompass disciplines such as physics, chemistry, and biology.
Natural sciences are those whose goal is to understand complex phenomena.
b. Social sciences: include subjects such as sociology, politics, economics,
anthropology, and history.
Social sciences seek to describe, understand, and reflect on human beings and their
actions.
2. Formal science: encompasses subjects such as logic and mathematics
Research conducted in the social sciences is usually questioned based on its subjectivity because one
usually cannot easily demonstrate how rigorously a study has been conducted.
4
