design theorizing ecis practise workshop 09062012
DESCRIPTION
Thoughts about theorizing from ADR and DRTRANSCRIPT
Theorizing in Design Research
Matti Rossi Aalto University School of EconomicsSandeep PuraoPenn State UniversityMaung SeinAgder University
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Contents
• Why theorizing from DR at all?• What has been said before• How one can theorize from from DR?
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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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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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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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IS Design Theory (Walls et al, 1992)
Kernel Theory
Meta- Require-
ments
Kernel Theory
Meta- Design
Testable (product)
hypotheses
DesignMethod
Testable (process)
hypotheses
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Walls, Widmeyer and El-Sawy 2004
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Kuechler and Vaishnavi (2008) on levels of theories
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Design Theory Level 4
Problem(s)Solution(s) as artifact in use
Class of Problems
Class ofSolutions
Design process
Level 2Level 1
DesignPrinciples
Level 3
Generalizing from ADR
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Problem(s)Solution(s) as artifact in use
Class of Problems Class of
Solutions
Design process
Kernel Theory
Level 3: modifying theory
Level 1 Level 2
Modifying (kernel) theory through ADR
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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
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Contact Information
Matti RossiHelsinki School of Economics
P.O. Box 1210
FIN-00101 Helsinki
Finland
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +358-9-43138996
Fax : +358-9-43138777
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http://www.hse.fi/EN/HKI/R/Matti.Rossi/1_ContactInfo.htmIM: [email protected]