Design science research (DSR) is based on the work of Professor Joan Ernst van Aken (Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, The Netherlands). The core mission of DSR is to develop general knowledge which can be used by professionals in the field in question to design solutions to their specific problems. Driving force of DSR is the utilization problem (Susman & Evered, 1978) or rigor-relevance dilemma (Argyris & Schon, 1991). ‘Management theory is either scientifically proven, but then too reductionistic and hence too broad or too trivial to be of much practical relevance, or relevant to practice, but then lacking sufficient rigorous justification’ (Van Aken, 2004: p. 221). Therefore, Van Aken proposes to make a distinction between description- and prescription-driven research programs. Whereas the former aims at explaining problems, the latter aims at generating knowledge to be used in designing solutions to solve problems.
Read more about Design Science Research: Characteristics, Typical Research Product, Design Science Artefacts
Famous quotes containing the words design, science and/or research:
“I begin with a design for a hearse.
For Christ’s sake not black—
nor white either—and not polished!
Let it be weathered—like a farm wagon—”
—William Carlos Williams (1883–1963)
“Until politics are a branch of science we shall do well to regard political and social reforms as experiments rather than short-cuts to the millennium.”
—J.B.S. (John Burdon Sanderson)
“I did my research and decided I just had to live it.”
—Karina O’Malley, U.S. sociologist and educator. As quoted in the Chronicle of Higher Education, p. A5 (September 16, 1992)