A Framework for Comparing IS Research Paradigms: How is Design Science related to Other Research Paradigms?
Research in the information systems (IS) field is complex and growing more complex, as alternative paradigms for research are introduced, grow and expand. In addition to the more traditional paradigms of positivist and interpretive research, recently interest within IS has focussed on Design Science...
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| Format: | Conference Paper |
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RMIT
2013
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| Online Access: | http://mo.bf.rmit.edu.au/acis2013/408.pdf http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/22108 |
| _version_ | 1848750778503659520 |
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| author | Venable, John |
| author2 | N/A |
| author_facet | N/A Venable, John |
| author_sort | Venable, John |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Research in the information systems (IS) field is complex and growing more complex, as alternative paradigms for research are introduced, grow and expand. In addition to the more traditional paradigms of positivist and interpretive research, recently interest within IS has focussed on Design Science Research (DSR). But how does DSR compare to other research paradigms? What do they have in common? Are they compatible with each other? This paper proposes a framework that can be used to compare IS research paradigms and elucidate and illuminate key differences and issues in their respective perspectives. The framework has three dimensions: (1) empirical vs non-empirical, (2) descriptive vs evaluative or normative, and (3) value-naïve vs value-aware vs value-critical. Five alternative IS research paradigms are then positioned in the framework and their differences contrasted, with particular focus on DSR and its main activities. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T07:42:14Z |
| format | Conference Paper |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-22108 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T07:42:14Z |
| publishDate | 2013 |
| publisher | RMIT |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-221082017-02-28T01:36:29Z A Framework for Comparing IS Research Paradigms: How is Design Science related to Other Research Paradigms? Venable, John N/A positivist research design science research critical research interpretive research IS research paradigm Research in the information systems (IS) field is complex and growing more complex, as alternative paradigms for research are introduced, grow and expand. In addition to the more traditional paradigms of positivist and interpretive research, recently interest within IS has focussed on Design Science Research (DSR). But how does DSR compare to other research paradigms? What do they have in common? Are they compatible with each other? This paper proposes a framework that can be used to compare IS research paradigms and elucidate and illuminate key differences and issues in their respective perspectives. The framework has three dimensions: (1) empirical vs non-empirical, (2) descriptive vs evaluative or normative, and (3) value-naïve vs value-aware vs value-critical. Five alternative IS research paradigms are then positioned in the framework and their differences contrasted, with particular focus on DSR and its main activities. 2013 Conference Paper http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/22108 http://mo.bf.rmit.edu.au/acis2013/408.pdf RMIT restricted |
| spellingShingle | positivist research design science research critical research interpretive research IS research paradigm Venable, John A Framework for Comparing IS Research Paradigms: How is Design Science related to Other Research Paradigms? |
| title | A Framework for Comparing IS Research Paradigms: How is Design Science related to Other Research Paradigms? |
| title_full | A Framework for Comparing IS Research Paradigms: How is Design Science related to Other Research Paradigms? |
| title_fullStr | A Framework for Comparing IS Research Paradigms: How is Design Science related to Other Research Paradigms? |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Framework for Comparing IS Research Paradigms: How is Design Science related to Other Research Paradigms? |
| title_short | A Framework for Comparing IS Research Paradigms: How is Design Science related to Other Research Paradigms? |
| title_sort | framework for comparing is research paradigms: how is design science related to other research paradigms? |
| topic | positivist research design science research critical research interpretive research IS research paradigm |
| url | http://mo.bf.rmit.edu.au/acis2013/408.pdf http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/22108 |