On Goodness of Models and Instantiations in Design Research : Some Potential Perspectives

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss how to evaluate (models and instantiations), which criteria for goodness that are applicable within different research approaches. In the prevalent (positivist) research we are accustomed to ask whether a certain model truthfully describes an object under study, and how useful is a new IT artifact. But researchers can also take other perspectives than the prevalent one on the world, e.g., interpretive or critical. In addition to models, researchers can also evaluate a wider information system than the new IT artifact only. We restrict our consideration into design research, the models developed and the outcomes constructed. We must model the old system in the problem space and the new system in the solution space. We therefore collect and analyze various guidelines for modeling from different perspectives (positivist, interpretive and critical). Concerning design outcomes we pay attention to different stake holder groups and their different evaluation criteria.