Incommensurability in design science: Which comes first-Theory or artefact?

Abstract

There has been much debate and discussion in recent literature about the nature of information systems (IS) theory, the role of theory in design and the notions of design science and design theory. A central idea in much of this literature is the interplay between traditional theory-based research and the development of design theory through the building of information systems artefacts. In this chapter, we describe our recent experiences in the development of an artefact (a rule-based expert system called DG-In) based on a behavioural theory and the challenges we found as we attempted to reconcile it with relevant design theory. The potential for incommensurability in the research cycle between theory and artefact has significant implications for IS research-from both a design-science perspective and a behavioural-science perspective. It brings into question core ideas such as the development of a cumulative research tradition and notions of theory-based design and design theory more generally.