RSA Conference Exhibitor List 2024 - Exhibitors Data
Design theorizing ecis practise workshop 09062012
1. Theorizing in Design Research
Matti Rossi
Aalto University School of Economics
Sandeep Purao
Penn State University
Maung Sein
Agder University
2. Contents
• Why theorizing from DR at all?
• What has been said before
• How one can theorize from from DR?
9/23/2012
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3. What theory is not?
(Sutton and Staw, 1995)
• References are not theory
• Data are not theory
• Lists of variables and constructs are not theory
• Diagrams are not theory
• Hypotheses (or predictions) are not theory
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4. Theory according Nunamaker et al.
Different types of theory building:
• Declare the “truth”
– e.g. Dijkstra’s ”Go to statement considered harmful”
CACM, 1968
• Formulate a concept (i.e. a framework)
– e.g. Relational model
• Construct a method
– e.g. Parnas on modularity
• Develop a theory
– e.g. Halstead’s Software Science
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5. Theory of theories
(Gregor, 2006)
• Theory for analysing and describing
• Theory for explaining
• Theory for predicting
• Theory for explaining and predicting
• Theory for design and action (design theory)
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6. IS Design Theory
(Walls et al, 1992)
Kernel Meta- Meta- Testable
Theory Require- Design (product)
ments hypotheses
Kernel Design Testable
Theory Method (process)
hypotheses
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9. Generalizing from ADR
Design Theory Level 4
Design
Principles
Class of Class of
Problems
Level 3 Solutions
Level 1 Level 2
Design Solution(s) as
Problem(s) process artifact in use
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10. Modifying (kernel) theory through ADR
Level 3:
Kernel modifying
Theory
theory
Class of
Problems Class of
Solutions
Level 1 Level 2
Design Solution(s) as
Problem(s) process artifact in use
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11. Conclusions
• Theorizing is vital for design research to mature
– We should see the designs as tests of the kernel and/or design
theories
• There are different forms of theorizing
• There are different theoretical contributions
• Not everyone has to come up with a full design theory
– The goal should be always to develop at least design principles
9/23/2012
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13. Contact Information
Matti Rossi
Helsinki School of Economics
P.O. Box 1210
FIN-00101 Helsinki
Finland
Email: matti.rossi@hse.fi
Phone: +358-9-43138996
Fax : +358-9-43138777
http://www.hse.fi/EN/HKI/R/Matti.Rossi/1_ContactInfo.htm
IM: Matti_Rossi@msn.com
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Notas del editor
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