Kuechler & Vaishnavi (2008) Theory Development in Design Science Research: Anatomy of a Research Project

The common understanding of Design Science Research in Information Systems (DSRIS) continues to evolve. Only in the broadest terms has there been consensus: that DSRIS involves, in some way, learning through the act of building. However, what is to be built – the definition of the DSRIS artifact – and how it is to be built – the methodology of DSRIS – has drawn increasing discussion in recent years. The relationship of DSRIS to theory continues to make up a significant part of the discussion: how theory should inform DSRIS and whether or not DSRIS can or should be instrumental in developing and refining theory. In this paper we present the exegesis of a DSRIS research project in which creating a (prescriptive) design theory through the process of developing and testing an IS artifact is inextricably bound to the testing and refinement of its kernel theory.

@article{kuechler2008theory,
author = {Kuechler, William L. and Vaishnavi, Vijay K.},
doi = {10.1057/ejis.2008.40},
editor = {Vaishnavi, V. and Baskerville, R.},
issn = {0960085X},
journal = {Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Design Science Research in Information Systems and Technology},
pages = {1--15},
title = {{Theory Development in Design Science Research: Anatomy of a Research Project}},
volume = {May 7-9},
year = {2008}
}