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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
Development Begins Development Begins With Observation With Observation
and a Guiding and a Guiding ConceptConcept
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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 GetHow Do We Get From There? From There?
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To Here? To Here?
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The Wright Brothers Had No
Theories
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No Foundation Had Been Laid… No Theory Yet
Developed8
They learned about aerodynamics They learned about aerodynamics literally by the seats of their pants–literally by the seats of their pants–
** Starting with Observation Starting with Observation* * Laws of PhysicsLaws of Physics
** And Domain Knowledge 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 AEROPLANETHE ORIGINAL WRIGHT BROTHERS AEROPLANETHE WORLD'S FIRST POWER-DRIVEN,THE WORLD'S FIRST POWER-DRIVEN,
HEAVIER-THAN-AIR MACHINE IN WHICH MANHEAVIER-THAN-AIR MACHINE IN WHICH MANMADE FREE, CONTROLLED, AND SUSTAINED FLIGHTMADE FREE, CONTROLLED, AND SUSTAINED FLIGHT
INVENTED AND BUILT BY WILBUR AND ORVILLE WRIGHTINVENTED AND BUILT BY WILBUR AND ORVILLE WRIGHTFLOWN BY THEM AT KITTY HAWK, NORTH CAROLINAFLOWN BY THEM AT KITTY HAWK, NORTH CAROLINA
DECEMBER 17, 1903DECEMBER 17, 1903BY ORIGINAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH BY ORIGINAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
THE WRIGHT BROTHERSTHE WRIGHT BROTHERSDISCOVERED THE PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN FLIGHTDISCOVERED THE PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN FLIGHT
AS INVENTORS, BUILDERS, AND FLYERS THEYAS INVENTORS, BUILDERS, AND FLYERS THEYFURTHER DEVELOPED THE AEROPLANE,FURTHER DEVELOPED THE AEROPLANE,
TAUGHT MAN TO FLY, AND OPENEDTAUGHT MAN TO FLY, AND OPENEDTHE ERA OF AVIATIONTHE ERA OF AVIATION
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A Multimethodological Approach to IS Research
Research Life Cycle
1. Theory building2. Experimentation3. Observation4. 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: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: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
It is extremely important that other It is extremely important that other research methodologies be employed research methodologies be employed
to support systems development to support systems development effortsefforts
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Software system by itself is not sufficient to prove anything scientifically relevant.
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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ResearchResearch ProcessProcess
Body of KnowledgeBody of Knowledge
Apply valid Research
Methodologies
Understand the Research Domains
Knowledge of Research Domains
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++Knowledge of
Research Methodologies
Results contribute to thebody of knowledge
FRAMEWORK OF RESEARCH
System Development Research Process
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Develop aSystem
Architecture
Analyze &Design the System
Build the(Prototype)
System
Observe &Evaluate the
System
Construct a ConceptualFramework
Research Issues Research Issues in Design Sciencein 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 Design Science Is Credible As a Research MethodologyResearch Methodology
As just one of many methodologies
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ResearchResearch ProcessProcess
Body of KnowledgeBody of Knowledge
Apply valid Research
Methodologies
Understand the Research Domains
Knowledge of Research Domains
++
++Knowledge of
Research Methodologies
Results contribute to thebody of knowledge
FRAMEWORK OF RESEARCH
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A Multimethodological Approach to IS Research