Scientific Principles Applied to Design-Type Research

Abstract

If design-type research shares deep roots with the traditional scientific research, then the principles advanced by the philosophers of science should be applicable to it as well. The purpose of this chapter is to show how these principles could be interpreted through the lens of design-type research. Induction in DTR implies extracting features of the implemented particular solutions with subsequent generalization. Deduction means inferring meta-requirements and, subsequently, features of meta-systems based on kernel theories. Ockham’s razor as a criterion favors simpler designs. Popper’s falsifiability criterion means that design of meta-artifacts should be informative. Lacatos’s protective belt translates into separating the immutable core of a design theory from the part that is potentially modifiable. Kuhn’s paradigms in design establish a given core design statement for a particular kind of meta-artifact, which drives focused research in that area. Feyerabend’s anarchy encourages alternative design visions. The aesthetics criterion plays an important part in recognizing forms in meta-artifacts.