Design Science by Example

摘要

Research activities in general, and PhD projects in particular, are facing stringent demands in terms of time available and quality of results, e.g. publications. This double pressure requires limiting the idle pursuits and failed attempts during research projects. Today more than ever, it is necessary to have a research methodology. In the case of Information Systems and Software Engineering, a method of growing importance is Design Science. Its objective: to ensure both rigor and relevance of research prototypes. By "rigor" it is understood that research results are well validated and supported by theories. By "relevance" it is meant that the target problems are of interest for the widest scope possible, avoiding too marginal or local issues. As an Engineering discipline, Web research is very much involved in building artifacts. That said, it is the addition of rigor and relevance what will turn those artifacts into Design Science. This tutorial delves into the distinct stages of Design Science, using examples taken from the Web Engineering area to illustrate the different notions.