Short answer
Adopt an iterative design, evaluation, and appropriation process to build and refine design theories, using clear goals and evidence chains.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Journal of the Association for Information Systems (2015)
- Method
- Design Science Research (DSR) with iterative prototyping.
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Design theory can be systematically generated and justified through an iterative cycle of design, evaluation, and appropriation, informed by goals, kernel theory, and artifacts. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in Journal of the Association for Information Systems. Using Design science research (dsr) with iterative prototyping., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Adopt an iterative design, evaluation, and appropriation process to build and refine design theories, using clear goals and evidence chains.
A Structured Framework for Developing Design Theory
Design theory can be systematically generated and justified through an iterative cycle of design, evaluation, and appropriation, informed by goals, kernel theory, and artifacts.
Journal of the Association for Information Systems · 2015
Key Findings
- 01A structured, iterative cycle can be used to generate and justify design theory.
- 02Goals, kernel theory, and artifacts are key inputs to the theory generation process.
- 03Specific DSR project types, iteration strategies, and stopping rules can facilitate the development of design theory.
Application
Design takeaway
Adopt an iterative design, evaluation, and appropriation process to build and refine design theories, using clear goals and evidence chains.
How to apply
When undertaking a design project that aims to contribute to broader design knowledge, map out an iterative cycle of development, testing, and refinement, documenting each stage rigorously.
Project actions
- 01Clearly define the initial goals for your design theory development.
- 02Document every iteration of your design, evaluation, and refinement process.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a systematic and structured approach to theory development.
- +Emphasizes evidence-based justification through iterative processes.
Limitations
The proposed cycle might be time-consuming, and defining 'stopping rules' for theory generation can be subjective.
Reliability & validity
Reliability would be enhanced by consistent application of the evaluation criteria across iterations. Validity relies on the extent to which the generated theory accurately reflects and explains design phenomena.
Think critically
How can the 'stopping rules' for theory generation be made more objective to ensure the robustness of the developed theory?
Design Principles
"Design theory emerges from a continuous loop of creation, testing, and refinement."
Establishing robust design theories provides a foundational understanding for design practice, enabling more predictable and effective outcomes. This structured approach moves beyond ad-hoc methods, offering a repeatable process for knowledge creation in design.
What This Means for Your Design
You can create good design rules (theory) by building something, testing it, and then improving it over and over again, always keeping your main goal and basic ideas in mind.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use the iterative cycle described to structure the development and justification of your design solutions and any emergent design principles.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The development of design theory can be approached through a structured, iterative process involving cycles of design, evaluation, and appropriation, as outlined by Mandviwalla (2015). This methodology, grounded in Design Science Research principles, emphasizes the importance of clear goals, a core theoretical foundation, and tangible artifacts to guide the generation and justification of design knowledge.
Source
Journal of the Association for Information Systems
Generating and Justifying Design Theory
journal · 2015
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about a structured framework for developing design theory?
- Adopt an iterative design, evaluation, and appropriation process to build and refine design theories, using clear goals and evidence chains. Evidence: Journal of the Association for Information Systems (2015).
- Why does "A Structured Framework for Developing Design Theory" matter for design?
- Establishing robust design theories provides a foundational understanding for design practice, enabling more predictable and effective outcomes. This structured approach moves beyond ad-hoc methods, offering a repeatable process for knowledge creation in design.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Adopt an iterative design, evaluation, and appropriation process to build and refine design theories, using clear goals and evidence chains.
- What were the main findings?
- A structured, iterative cycle can be used to generate and justify design theory.. Goals, kernel theory, and artifacts are key inputs to the theory generation process.. Specific DSR project types, iteration strategies, and stopping rules can facilitate the development of design theory.
- What research method was used?
- Design Science Research (DSR) with iterative prototyping..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2015 journal from Journal of the Association for Information Systems.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When undertaking a design project that aims to contribute to broader design knowledge, map out an iterative cycle of development, testing, and refinement, documenting each stage rigorously.
- What are the limitations?
- The paper acknowledges limitations and identifies areas for future research, suggesting the framework may require adaptation for different design domains.