A4 Article in conference proceedings
The Primary Scientific Contribution Is Hardly a Theory in Design Science Research (2021)

Siponen, M., & Klaavuniemi, T. (2021). The Primary Scientific Contribution Is Hardly a Theory in Design Science Research. In L. C. Kruse, S. Seidel, & G. I. Hausvik (Eds.), DESRIST 2021 : The proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Design Science Research in Information Systems and Technology. The Next Wave of Sociotechnical Design (pp. 137-146). Springer. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 12807. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82405-1_16

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Siponen, Mikko; Klaavuniemi, Tuula

Parent publication: DESRIST 2021 : The proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Design Science Research in Information Systems and Technology. The Next Wave of Sociotechnical Design

Parent publication editors: Kruse, Leona Chandra; Seidel, Stefan; Hausvik, Geir Inge

Place and date of conference: Kristiansand, Norway, 4.-6.8.2021

ISBN: 978-3-030-82404-4

eISBN: 978-3-030-82405-1

Journal or series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science

ISSN: 0302-9743

eISSN: 1611-3349

Publication year: 2021

Number in series: 12807

Pages range: 137-146

Number of pages in the book: 400

Publisher: Springer

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82405-1_16

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/77228

Abstract

Generally, to publish a paper in a top IS journal, making a new theory contribution is, so we are told, required. Such a requirement also exists in Design Science Research (DSR) literature. We review a number of claims about the necessity of theory as it applies to DSR. We find these claims wanting. For example, medical research and engineering are both called “design science” in Simon’s(1996) Sciences of the Artificial. However, most articles in the top medical, computer engineering, and network engineering journals do not develop new theories. Unless the proponents of theories, as the primary vehicle of scientific DSR knowledge, can offer a satisfactory argument for why theories are the primary scientific contribution, we do not have to regard ‘theory’ as the primary outcome of good scientific research in DSR. If we are correct, then theory is not valuable in its own right in (applied) science, as theory serves higher purposes.

Keywords: science; research; theory of science; scientific knowledge; theories

Free keywords: theory; design science research

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1