Reference Model in Design Science Research to Gather and Model Information

Abstract

Design science research, at its current stage, does not offer consistent and detailed phases to guide researchers to manage information systems projects. In this paper we introduce a reference model that covers its phase of creating artefacts. This model serves as a base to gather relevant information in producing solutions to business’ problems in design science context. One aspect of the model is the capability to represent and reuse knowledge. In the domain context, it reflects the relevant knowledge based on domain-specific concepts and relations. This is achieved thanks to activities responsible for literature review, collaboration with practitioners, and information-modelling. The contribution of the paper is that application of the reference model helps improve the quality of design science artefacts, and provides researchers with choices of techniques that might be appropriate for most design science projects.