Design Science Research Process: A Model for Producing and Presenting Information Systems Research (2006.02763v1)

Abstract: The authors design and demonstrate a process for carrying out design science (DS) research in information systems and demonstrate use of the process to conduct research in two case studies. Several IS researchers have pioneered the acceptance of DS research in IS, but in the last 15 years little DS research has been done within the discipline. The lack of a generally accepted process for DS research in IS may have contributed to this problem. We sought to design a design science research process (DSRP) model that would meet three objectives: it would be consistent with prior literature, it would provide a nominal process model for doing DS research, and it would provide a mental model for presenting and appreciating DS research in IS. The process includes six steps: problem identification and motivation, objectives for a solution, design and development, evaluation, and communication. We demonstrated the process by using it in this study and by presenting two case studies, one in IS planning to develop application ideas for mobile financial services and another in requirements engineering to specify feature requirements for a self service advertising design and sales system intended for wide audience end users. The process effectively satisfies the three objectives and has the potential to help aid the acceptance of DS research in the IS discipline.

• The paper introduces a six-step Design Science Research Process framework to unify and systematize DS research in IS.
• The paper validates the model with two detailed case studies in mobile financial services and self-service advertising systems.
• The paper argues that adopting the DSRP model can enhance practical IS research by bridging theory and application effectively.

Overview of the Design Science Research Process Model for Information Systems

This paper presents a comprehensive process model for conducting design science (DS) research in the field of information systems (IS), addressing the longstanding lack of a generally accepted paradigm within this field. The peculiar gap in DS research acceptance in IS is addressed through the introduction of the Design Science Research Process (DSRP) model, which the authors argue is consistent with prior literature on DS research across various disciplines. The problem of inadequate application of DS research in IS has been compounded by the absence of a standardized methodological framework, which this paper proposes to counteract with the DSRP model.

Structure and Methodology

The authors introduce a six-step process meant to guide IS researchers through the DS research trajectory. These steps are problem identification and motivation, objectives for a solution, design and development, demonstration, evaluation, and communication. This structured framework not only provides a methodological path for conducting research but also serves as a mental model for the presentation and appreciation of DS research in IS.

The authors exemplify the applicability of the DSRP model through two case studies: one focused on IS planning for mobile financial services and another on requirements engineering for self-service advertising systems. These examples highlight the model's versatility across different IS subdomains and its alignment with existing DS methodologies in related fields, such as engineering and computer science.

Key Contributions and Claims

The DSRP model is positioned as a significant contribution to the IS discipline, aiming to integrate DS research as a bona fide scientific practice within IS. This integration is posited as vital for enhancing the practical applicability of IS research, thereby directly addressing the operational needs of IS stakeholders. The model fits within the broader scope of DS literature, incorporating insights from noted works by Hevner et al., March and Smith, and others. This scholarly convergence underlies the DSRP's robustness as a versatile framework applicable to diverse research settings.

Implications and Future Directions

This paper's contribution lies in potentially catalyzing a paradigm shift in how IS research is conducted and evaluated. If widely adopted, the DSRP model could standardize DS research practices, ensuring that such research meets rigorous scientific standards while producing actionable insights relevant to IS practitioners. This paper does not suggest that the model is exhaustive; instead, it invites feedback through broader application in varying research contexts, implying that the model might evolve with further practical use and academic scrutiny.

The DSRP model provides a roadmap not only for producing DS artifacts but also for embedding such artifacts within the IS research literature. As more IS researchers embrace this model, it may yield richer interaction between theory and practice, fostering innovation that directly supports IS's applied nature.

Speculation on Future Developments

In the evolving landscape of IS research, the DSRP model could be pivotal in assimilating new methodologies and technological advancements. With disciplines increasingly converging through the rise of interdisciplinary research, the DSRP model's flexibility may facilitate its adaptation for next-generation IS challenges. The model's structured yet adaptable nature also suggests its potential use in fostering global research collaborations, thereby enhancing collective academic capabilities.

Overall, the paper positions the DSRP model not as a final answer but as a necessary and practical step toward systematic DS research in IS. It is a step toward enriching the methodological toolkit available to IS researchers, encapsulating a blend of theoretical foundations and actionable insights conducive to advancing IS's applied focus.