MIS Research Center
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Carlson School of Management, 2nd Floor, Room 2-260Z

Abstract

Design Science Research and the NSF Science of Design Program  

Alan R. Hevner
Program Manager
Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE)
National Science Foundation
Arlington , VA 22230
(703) 292-8910
ahevner@nsf.gov
and
Citigroup/Hidden River Chair of Distributed Technology
Professor and Eminent Scholar
Information Systems and Decision Sciences
College of Business Administration
University of South Florida
Tampa , FL 33620-7800
(813) 974-6753
ahevner@coba.usf.edu

Presentation Abstract

Two paradigms characterize much of the research in the Information Systems discipline: behavioral science and design science. The behavioral-science paradigm seeks to develop and verify theories that explain or predict human or organizational behavior. The design-science paradigm seeks to extend the boundaries of human and organizational capabilities by creating new and innovative artifacts. Both paradigms are foundational to the IS discipline, positioned as it is at the confluence of people, organizations, and technology. In this presentation, my goal is to describe the performance of design-science research in Information Systems via a concise conceptual framework and clear guidelines for understanding, executing, and evaluating the research.

I will conclude my presentation with a discussion of the NSF Science of Design program and its research goals. The Science of Design (SoD) Program at NSF solicits proposals for projects that will bring creative, scientific advances to the design of software artifacts and systems. The objective of the program is to bring new paradigms, concepts, approaches, models, and theories into the development of a strong intellectual foundation for software design, which will ultimately improve the processes of constructing, evaluating, and modifying software-intensive systems. This body of knowledge needs to be intellectually rigorous, formalized where appropriate, supported by empirical evidence where possible, open to creative, artistic expression, and above all, teachable. For more information, see the program solicitation at: http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12766&org=CISE&from=home

Reference

A. Hevner, S. March, J. Park, and S. Ram, “Design Science Research in Information Systems,” Management Information Systems Quarterly , Vol. 28, No. 1, March 2004, pp. 75-105.

•  Selected by ISI Essential Science Indicators for October 2005 as a Fast Breaking Paper, Thomson-ISIR. Author Interview at
http://www.esi-topics.com/fbp/2005/october05-AlanRHevner.html .

Speaker Biography

Alan R. Hevner is an Eminent Scholar and Professor in the Information Systems and Decision Sciences Department in the College of Business Administration at the University of South Florida . He holds the Citigroup/Hidden River Chair of Distributed Technology. Dr. Hevner's areas of research interest include information systems development, software engineering, distributed database systems, healthcare information systems, and telemedicine. He has published over 120 research papers on these topics and has consulted for a number of Fortune 500 companies. Dr. Hevner received a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Purdue University . He has held faculty positions at the University of Maryland and the University of Minnesota . Dr. Hevner is a member of ACM, IEEE, AIS, and INFORMS. He is currently on an assignment at the National Science Foundation as a program manager in the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Directorate.