Design science

Definition

• Design sciences related to disciplines that build things.

• See also: Design methodology

Key elements of design-oriented approaches

(according to Pertti J�rvinen, 2004)

Technological rules

   * tell you how to do things and are dependant on other theories (and beliefs)
   * Bunge (quoted by J�rvinen:99): "A technological rule: an instruction is defined as a chunk of general knowledge, linking an intervention or artifact with a desired outcome or performance in a certain field of application".

Types of outcomes (artifacts, interventions):

   * Constructs (or concept) form the " language " of a domain
   * Models are sets of propositions expressing relationships among constructs
   * Methods are a set of steps to perform a task (guidelines, algorithms)
   * Instantiations are realizations of an artifact in its environment

Types of research:

   * Build: Demonstrate feasibility of an artifact or intervention
   * Evaluate: Development of criteria, and assessment of both artifact building and artifact usage

What does this mean ?

   * There are 4*2 ways to lead interesting design research.
   * Usually, it's the not the program you build that is interesting, but something behind (constructs, models, methods) or around (usage).