Design Theory
Design theory
This theory is waiting to be summarized!
Acronym
Alternate name(s)
Instructional Design Theory, Design Research, Design Science, Theory of Artifacts
Main dependent construct(s)/factor(s)
Subjective measures (e.g. satisfaction, goodness)
Objective measures (e.g. percentage of improvement in efficiency, number of users)
Main independent construct(s)/factor(s)
Philosophy of design is concerned with the question “what is the purpose of design?”
Aristotle proposed four causes, four types of answers to the question “why”, and Heidegger showed that Aristotle’s four causes differed from one another (Gregor and Jones, 2007).
- Causa materialis is the material or matter.
- Causa formalis is the form or shape the material or matter enters.
- Causa finalis is the end.
- Causa efficiens is the effect that is finished.
Artifact mutability
Testable propositions
Expository instantiation
Concise description of theory
Diagram/schematic of theory
Originating author(s)
Seminal articles
Weber, R. (1987). Toward a theory of artifacts: a paradigmatic base for information systems research. Journal of Information Systems, 1(2), 3-19.
Walls, J. G., Widmeyer, G. R., & El Sawy, O. A. (1992). Building an information system design theory for vigilant EIS. Information systems research, 3(1), 36-59.
March, S. T., & Smith, G. F. (1995). Design and natural science research on information technology. Decision support systems, 15(4), 251-266.
Simon, H. A. (1996). The sciences of the artificial (Vol. 136). MIT press.
Markus, M. L., Majchrzak, A., & Gasser, L. (2002). A design theory for systems that support emergent knowledge processes. Mis Quarterly, 179-212.
Hevner, A., March, S. T., Park, J., & Ram, S. (2004). Design science in information systems research. MIS quarterly, 28(1), 75-105.
Gregor, S., & Jones, D. (2007). The anatomy of a design theory. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 8(5), 312-335.
Peffers, K., Tuunanen, T., Rothenberger, M. A., & Chatterjee, S. (2007). A design science research methodology for information systems research. Journal of management information systems, 24(3), 45-77.
Originating area
Philosophy
Level of analysis
Design of an IS artifact
IS articles that use the theory
Links from this theory to other theories
Kernel Theory
External links
Original Contributor(s)
Vishal Uppala
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