Design science (methodology)

Design science research (DSR) is a research paradigm focusing on the development and validation of prescriptive knowledge in information science. Herbert Simon distinguished the natural sciences, concerned with explaining how things are, from design sciences which are concerned with how things ought to be, that is, with devising artifacts to attain goals. Design science research methodology (DSRM) refers to the research methodologies associated with this paradigm. It spans the methodologies of several research disciplines, for example <a href="/facts/Information_technology/glMzunwe">information technology</a>, which offers specific <a href="/facts/Guidelines/SGxbgyBP">guidelines</a> for <a href="/facts/Evaluation/AygKGGVo">evaluation</a> and <a href="/facts/Iteration/AMc1p7BL">iteration</a> within research projects.
DSR focuses on the development and performance of (designed) artifacts with the explicit intention of improving the functional performance of the artifact. DSRM is typically applied to categories of artifacts including <a href="/facts/Algorithm/fnl5NmRt">algorithms</a>, <a href="/facts/Human-computer_interaction/EkmIxGCx">human/computer interfaces</a>, design methodologies (including <a href="/facts/Process_model/oHrDHn6H">process models</a>) and languages. Its application is most notable in the <a href="/facts/Engineering/RFVg8H3I">Engineering</a> and <a href="/facts/Computer_Science/lN3pEyPz">Computer Science</a> disciplines, though is not restricted to these and can be found in many disciplines and fields. DSR, or constructive research, in contrast to explanatory science research, has academic research objectives generally of a more pragmatic nature. Research in these disciplines can be seen as a quest for understanding and improving <a href="/facts/Performance_science/dpz80w1R">human performance</a>. Such renowned research institutions as the <a href="/facts/MIT_Media_Lab/Vhgn9KFE">MIT Media Lab</a>, <a href="/facts/Stanford_University/JEQeF9z2">Stanford University</a>'s Center for Design Research, <a href="/facts/Carnegie_Mellon_University/XKd7L2KA">Carnegie Mellon University</a>'s Software Engineering Institute, <a href="/facts/Xerox/qyxVVqaa">Xerox</a>’s PARC, and <a href="/facts/Brunel_University_London/5WdVxrgM">Brunel University London</a>’s Organisation and System Design Centre, use the DSR approach.
Design science is a valid research methodology to develop solutions for practical engineering problems. Design science is particularly suitable for <a href="/facts/Wicked_problem/9olMQpQ8">wicked problem</a>s.

Design science (methodology) open-in-new

Design science (methodology)