A Design Science
(Multi-Methodological)
Approach to IS Research
Presented by:
Dr. Jay F. Nunamaker, Jr.
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A Multimethodological Approach to IS Research
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Development Begins
With Observation
and a Guiding
Concept
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Boeing Corporation Building 777
Airplane
• It is the most complex flying machine ever
developed
• It was prototyped entirely within the
memory of the computer
• Built upon rigorous, mathematical
aeronautical theories
• No physical prototype was used
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How Do We Get
From There?
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To Here?
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The Wright
Brothers Had No
Theories
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No Foundation
Had Been Laid…
No Theory Yet
Developed
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They learned about aerodynamics
literally by the seats of their pants–
* Starting with Observation
* Laws of Physics
* And Domain Knowledge
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Early Stages:
Crafting the Flyer
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Prior Knowledge
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Prior Knowledge
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Building the Machine
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Testing
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Finishing the Race-- Proof
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The broken 1903 Flyer is on display at the
Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. The
exhibit is labeled with these words:
THE ORIGINAL WRIGHT BROTHERS AEROPLANE
THE WORLD'S FIRST POWER-DRIVEN,
HEAVIER-THAN-AIR MACHINE IN WHICH MAN
MADE FREE, CONTROLLED, AND SUSTAINED FLIGHT
INVENTED AND BUILT BY WILBUR AND ORVILLE WRIGHT
FLOWN BY THEM AT KITTY HAWK, NORTH CAROLINA
DECEMBER 17, 1903
BY ORIGINAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
THE WRIGHT BROTHERS
DISCOVERED THE PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN FLIGHT
AS INVENTORS, BUILDERS, AND FLYERS THEY
FURTHER DEVELOPED THE AEROPLANE,
TAUGHT MAN TO FLY, AND OPENED
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THE ERA OF AVIATION
A Multimethodological Approach to IS Research
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Research Life Cycle
1.
2.
3.
4.
Theory building
Experimentation
Observation
Systems development
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Research Model
• Theory Building Involves:
– Development of new ideas and concepts
– Conceptual Frameworks
– Models
• Mathematical
• Simulation
• Data
– Methods
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Theory Building Models
• Usually concerned with generic system
behaviors
• Subjected to rigorous analysis
• Mathematical models often have
constraining assumptions which limit
applicability of models
• Often display limited practical relevance to
the target domain
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Relevance of a Theory
• Refers to potential insights and impacts on
practical applications
• Theory building or basic research
contributes to the body of knowledge in a
research domain but produces no system
that takes advantage of this new
knowledge
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Theories May Be Used to Suggest:
• Research hypotheses
• Guide design of experiments
• Conduct systematic observations
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Experimentation
• Laboratory and field experiments
• Computer and experimental simulations
• Concerns itself with validation of underlying
theories
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Experimental Designs Are:
• Guided by theories and
• Facilitated by systems development
• Used to refine theories and improve systems
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Observation
• Research methodologies
– Case studies
– Field studies
– Sample studies unobtrusively obtained
• Used to get a general feel for what is involved
• Helps to formulate hypotheses to be tested in
experimentation or to focus later
investigations
• Insights are gained in natural, more holistic
settings, relevant to domain studied
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Researchers are expected
to report sufficient
contextual and
environmental conditions
to enable judgment of
limitations
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It is extremely important that other
research methodologies be employed
to support systems development
efforts
Software system by itself is not sufficient to
prove anything scientifically relevant.
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Utilizing Different
Research Methodologies in
System Development
• Systems development is the hub of
research
• Interacts with other research to form
an integrated and dynamic research
program
• No one research methodology is
preeminent
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Where multiple research
methodologies are applicable, they
appear to be complimentary,
providing valuable feedback
to one another
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Research Process
Apply valid
Research
Methodologies
+
Understand the
Research
Domains
Body of Knowledge
Knowledge of
Research
Methodologies
+
Results
contribute
to the
body of
knowledge
Knowledge of
Research
Domains
FRAMEWORK OF RESEARCH
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System Development Research Process
Construct a
Conceptual
Framework
Develop a
System
Architecture
Analyze &
Design the System
Build the
(Prototype)
System
Observe &
Evaluate the
System
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Research Issues
in Design Science
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Construct a Conceptual Framework
• State a meaningful question
• Investigate the system functionalities and
requirements
• Understand the system building
processes/procedures
• Study relevant disciplines for new approaches
and ideas
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Develop a System Architecture
• Develop a unique architecture design for
extensibility, modularity, etc.
• Define functionalities of system components and
interrelationships among them
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Analyze & Design the System
• Design the database/knowledge base schema
and processes to carry out system functions
• Develop alternative solutions and choose one
solution
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Build the System
• Learn through the system building process
about:
– Concepts
– Framework
– Design
• Gain insights about the problems and the
complexity of the system
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Observe & Evaluate the System
• Observe the use of the system by
experiments, case studies and field
studies
• Evaluate the system by laboratory
experiments or field experiments
• Develop new theories/models based on
the observation and experimentation of
the system’s usage
• Consolidate experiences learned
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In Concluding…
Building a system in
and of itself does not
constitute research
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Design Science Is Credible As a
Research Methodology
As just one of many methodologies
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Research Process
Apply valid
Research
Methodologies
+
Understand the
Research
Domains
Body of Knowledge
Knowledge of
Research
Methodologies
+
Results
contribute
to the
body of
knowledge
Knowledge of
Research
Domains
FRAMEWORK OF RESEARCH
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A Multimethodological Approach to IS Research
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