Skip to main content

2014 | OriginalPaper | Buchkapitel

9. Scientific Theories

verfasst von : Roel J. Wieringa

Erschienen in: Design Science Methodology for Information Systems and Software Engineering

Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Aktivieren Sie unsere intelligente Suche, um passende Fachinhalte oder Patente zu finden.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

Like all scientific research, design science aims to develop scientific theories. As explained earlier in Fig. 1.​3, a design science project starts from a knowledge context consisting of scientific theories, design specifications, useful facts, practical knowledge, and common sense. This is called prior knowledge. The set of scientific theories used as prior knowledge in a design research project is loosely called its theoretical framework. When it is finished, a design science project should have produced additional knowledge, called posterior knowledge. Our primary aim in design science is to produce posterior knowledge in the form of a contribution to a scientific theory. In this chapter, we discuss the nature, structure, and function of scientific theories in, respectively, Sects. 9.19.2, and 9.3.

Sie haben noch keine Lizenz? Dann Informieren Sie sich jetzt über unsere Produkte:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe




 

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Literatur
1.
Zurück zum Zitat W. Bechtel, A. Abrahamsen, Explanation: a mechanistic alternative. Studies in the Hist. Philos. Biol. Biomed. Sci. 36, 421–441 (2005)CrossRef W. Bechtel, A. Abrahamsen, Explanation: a mechanistic alternative. Studies in the Hist. Philos. Biol. Biomed. Sci. 36, 421–441 (2005)CrossRef
2.
Zurück zum Zitat W. Bechtel, R.C. Richardson, Discovering Complexity: Decomposition and Localization as Strategies in Scientific Research (MIT Press, Cambridge, 2010); Reissue of the 1993 edition with a new introduction W. Bechtel, R.C. Richardson, Discovering Complexity: Decomposition and Localization as Strategies in Scientific Research (MIT Press, Cambridge, 2010); Reissue of the 1993 edition with a new introduction
3.
Zurück zum Zitat R.A. Berk, Causal inference for sociological data, in Handbook of Sociology, ed. by N.J. Smelser. (Sage, Thousand Oaks, 1988), pp. 155–172 R.A. Berk, Causal inference for sociological data, in Handbook of Sociology, ed. by N.J. Smelser. (Sage, Thousand Oaks, 1988), pp. 155–172
4.
Zurück zum Zitat M. Bunge, How does it work? The search for explanatory mechanisms. Philos. Soc. Sci. 34(2), 182–210 (2004)CrossRef M. Bunge, How does it work? The search for explanatory mechanisms. Philos. Soc. Sci. 34(2), 182–210 (2004)CrossRef
5.
Zurück zum Zitat N. Cartwright, How the Laws of Physics Lie (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1983)CrossRef N. Cartwright, How the Laws of Physics Lie (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1983)CrossRef
6.
Zurück zum Zitat N. Cartwright, Nature’s Capacities and Their Measurement (Clarendon Press, Oxford 1989) N. Cartwright, Nature’s Capacities and Their Measurement (Clarendon Press, Oxford 1989)
7.
Zurück zum Zitat A. Cournand, M. Meyer. The scientist’s code. Minerva 14(1), 79–96 (1976)CrossRef A. Cournand, M. Meyer. The scientist’s code. Minerva 14(1), 79–96 (1976)CrossRef
8.
Zurück zum Zitat C.F. Craver, Structure of scientific theories, in The Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Science, ed. by P. Machamer, M. Silberstein (Blackwell, Oxford, 2002), pp. 55–79 C.F. Craver, Structure of scientific theories, in The Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Science, ed. by P. Machamer, M. Silberstein (Blackwell, Oxford, 2002), pp. 55–79
9.
Zurück zum Zitat R. Cummins, ‘How does it work?’ versus ‘What are the laws?’: two conceptions of psychological explanation, in Explanation and Cognition, ed. by F.C. Keil, R.A. Wilson (MIT Press, Cambridge, 2000), pp. 117–144 R. Cummins, ‘How does it work?’ versus ‘What are the laws?’: two conceptions of psychological explanation, in Explanation and Cognition, ed. by F.C. Keil, R.A. Wilson (MIT Press, Cambridge, 2000), pp. 117–144
10.
Zurück zum Zitat J. Elster, Nuts and Bolts for the Social Sciences (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1989)CrossRef J. Elster, Nuts and Bolts for the Social Sciences (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1989)CrossRef
11.
Zurück zum Zitat J. Elster, A plea for mechanisms, in Social Mechanisms. An Analytical Approach to Social Theory, ed. by P. Hedström, R. Swedberg (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1998), pp. 45–73CrossRef J. Elster, A plea for mechanisms, in Social Mechanisms. An Analytical Approach to Social Theory, ed. by P. Hedström, R. Swedberg (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1998), pp. 45–73CrossRef
12.
Zurück zum Zitat W. Engelsman, D.A.C. Quartel, H. Jonkers, M.J. van Sinderen, Extending enterprise architecture modelling with business goals and requirements. Enterp. Inf. Syst. 5(1), 9–36 (2011)CrossRef W. Engelsman, D.A.C. Quartel, H. Jonkers, M.J. van Sinderen, Extending enterprise architecture modelling with business goals and requirements. Enterp. Inf. Syst. 5(1), 9–36 (2011)CrossRef
13.
Zurück zum Zitat W. Engelsman, R.J. Wieringa, Goal-oriented requirements engineering and enterprise architecture: Two case studies and some lessons learned, in Requirements Engineering: Foundation for Software Quality (REFSQ 2012), Essen, Germany. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 7195 (Springer, Heidelberg, 2012), pp. 306–320 W. Engelsman, R.J. Wieringa, Goal-oriented requirements engineering and enterprise architecture: Two case studies and some lessons learned, in Requirements Engineering: Foundation for Software Quality (REFSQ 2012), Essen, Germany. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 7195 (Springer, Heidelberg, 2012), pp. 306–320
14.
Zurück zum Zitat S. Glennan, Rethinking mechanistic explanation. Philos. Sci. 69, S342–S353 (2002)CrossRef S. Glennan, Rethinking mechanistic explanation. Philos. Sci. 69, S342–S353 (2002)CrossRef
15.
Zurück zum Zitat S.S. Glennan, Mechanisms and the nature of causation. Erkenntnis 44, 49–71 (1996)CrossRef S.S. Glennan, Mechanisms and the nature of causation. Erkenntnis 44, 49–71 (1996)CrossRef
16.
Zurück zum Zitat P. Godfrey-Smith, Theory and Reality. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science (The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2003) P. Godfrey-Smith, Theory and Reality. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science (The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2003)
17.
Zurück zum Zitat J.H. Goldthorpe, Causation, statistics, and sociology. Eur. Sociol. Rev. 17(1), 1–20 (2001)CrossRef J.H. Goldthorpe, Causation, statistics, and sociology. Eur. Sociol. Rev. 17(1), 1–20 (2001)CrossRef
18.
Zurück zum Zitat S. Gregor, The nature of theory in information systems. MIS Q. 30(3), 611–642 (2006) S. Gregor, The nature of theory in information systems. MIS Q. 30(3), 611–642 (2006)
19.
Zurück zum Zitat S. Gregor, D. Jones, The anatomy of a design theory. J. AIS 8(5), 312–335 (2007) S. Gregor, D. Jones, The anatomy of a design theory. J. AIS 8(5), 312–335 (2007)
20.
Zurück zum Zitat P. Hedström, R. Swedberg (eds.), Social Mechanisms. An Analytical Approach to Social Theory (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1998) P. Hedström, R. Swedberg (eds.), Social Mechanisms. An Analytical Approach to Social Theory (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1998)
21.
Zurück zum Zitat P. Hedström, P. Ylikoski, Causal mechanisms in the social sciences. Ann. Rev. Sociol. 36, 49–67 (2010)CrossRef P. Hedström, P. Ylikoski, Causal mechanisms in the social sciences. Ann. Rev. Sociol. 36, 49–67 (2010)CrossRef
22.
Zurück zum Zitat C. Hitchcock, Probabilistic causation, in The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ed. by E.N. Zalta. Spring 2010 edition (2010) C. Hitchcock, Probabilistic causation, in The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ed. by E.N. Zalta. Spring 2010 edition (2010)
23.
Zurück zum Zitat P.W. Holland, Statistics and causal inference. J. Am. Stat. Assoc. 81(396), 945–960 (1986)CrossRefMATH P.W. Holland, Statistics and causal inference. J. Am. Stat. Assoc. 81(396), 945–960 (1986)CrossRefMATH
24.
Zurück zum Zitat T. Huynh, J. Miller, An empirical investigation into open source web applications’ implementation vulnerabilities. Empir. Softw. Eng. 15(5), 556–576 (2010)CrossRef T. Huynh, J. Miller, An empirical investigation into open source web applications’ implementation vulnerabilities. Empir. Softw. Eng. 15(5), 556–576 (2010)CrossRef
25.
Zurück zum Zitat ISO, Systems and Software Engineering — Architecture Description. ISO/IEC/IEEE (2007) ISO, Systems and Software Engineering — Architecture Description. ISO/IEC/IEEE (2007)
26.
Zurück zum Zitat A. Kaplan, The Conduct of Inquiry. Methodology for Behavioral Science (Transaction Publishers, Pscataway, 1998); First edition 1964 by Chandler Publishers A. Kaplan, The Conduct of Inquiry. Methodology for Behavioral Science (Transaction Publishers, Pscataway, 1998); First edition 1964 by Chandler Publishers
27.
Zurück zum Zitat K.S. Kendler, Explanatory models for psychiatric illness. Am. J. Psychiatry 6, 695–702 (2008)CrossRef K.S. Kendler, Explanatory models for psychiatric illness. Am. J. Psychiatry 6, 695–702 (2008)CrossRef
28.
Zurück zum Zitat T. Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, 2nd edn. (University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1970) T. Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, 2nd edn. (University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1970)
29.
Zurück zum Zitat I. Lakatos, Falsification and the methodology of scientific research programmes, in Criticism and the Growth of Knowledge, ed. by I. Lakatos, A. Musgrave (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1970), pp. 91–196CrossRef I. Lakatos, Falsification and the methodology of scientific research programmes, in Criticism and the Growth of Knowledge, ed. by I. Lakatos, A. Musgrave (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1970), pp. 91–196CrossRef
30.
Zurück zum Zitat I. Lakatos, Proofs and Refutations (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1976); Edited by J. Worall and E. Zahar I. Lakatos, Proofs and Refutations (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1976); Edited by J. Worall and E. Zahar
31.
Zurück zum Zitat L. Prechelt, B. Unger-Lamprecht, M. Philippsen, W.F. Tichy, Two controlled experiments assessing the usefulness of design pattern documentation in program maintenance. IEEE Trans. Softw. Eng. 28(6), 595–606 (2002)CrossRef L. Prechelt, B. Unger-Lamprecht, M. Philippsen, W.F. Tichy, Two controlled experiments assessing the usefulness of design pattern documentation in program maintenance. IEEE Trans. Softw. Eng. 28(6), 595–606 (2002)CrossRef
32.
Zurück zum Zitat P. Machamer, A brief historical introduction to the philosophy of science, in The Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Science, ed. by P. Machamer, M. Silberstein (Blackwell, Oxford, 2002), pp. 1–17CrossRef P. Machamer, A brief historical introduction to the philosophy of science, in The Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Science, ed. by P. Machamer, M. Silberstein (Blackwell, Oxford, 2002), pp. 1–17CrossRef
33.
34.
Zurück zum Zitat P. McKay Illari, J. Williamson, What is a mechanism? Thinking about mechanisms across the sciences. Eur. J. Philos. Sci. 2, 119–135 (2012)CrossRef P. McKay Illari, J. Williamson, What is a mechanism? Thinking about mechanisms across the sciences. Eur. J. Philos. Sci. 2, 119–135 (2012)CrossRef
35.
Zurück zum Zitat P. Menzies, Counterfactual theories of causation, in The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ed. by E.N. Zalta. Fall 2009 edition (2009) P. Menzies, Counterfactual theories of causation, in The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ed. by E.N. Zalta. Fall 2009 edition (2009)
36.
Zurück zum Zitat R.K. Merton, The normative structure of science, in Social Theory and Social Structure (The Free Press, New York, 1968), pp. 267–278. Enlarged Edition R.K. Merton, The normative structure of science, in Social Theory and Social Structure (The Free Press, New York, 1968), pp. 267–278. Enlarged Edition
37.
Zurück zum Zitat S. Morgan, X. Winship, Counterfactuals and Causal Inference. Methods and Principles for Social Research (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2007) S. Morgan, X. Winship, Counterfactuals and Causal Inference. Methods and Principles for Social Research (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2007)
38.
Zurück zum Zitat M. Parascandola, D.L. Weed, Causation in epidemiology. J. Epidemiol. Commun. Health 55, 905–912 (2001)CrossRef M. Parascandola, D.L. Weed, Causation in epidemiology. J. Epidemiol. Commun. Health 55, 905–912 (2001)CrossRef
40.
Zurück zum Zitat J. Pearl, Causality. Models, Reasoning and Inference, 2nd edn. (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2009) J. Pearl, Causality. Models, Reasoning and Inference, 2nd edn. (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2009)
41.
Zurück zum Zitat K.R. Popper, The Logic of Scientific Discovery (Hutchinson, London, 1959)MATH K.R. Popper, The Logic of Scientific Discovery (Hutchinson, London, 1959)MATH
42.
Zurück zum Zitat W.S. Robinson, The logical structure of analytic induction. Am. Sociol. Rev. 16(6), 812–818 (1951)CrossRef W.S. Robinson, The logical structure of analytic induction. Am. Sociol. Rev. 16(6), 812–818 (1951)CrossRef
43.
Zurück zum Zitat D.B. Rubin, Bayesian inference for causal effects: The role of randomization. Ann. Stat. 6(1), 34–58 (1978)CrossRefMATH D.B. Rubin, Bayesian inference for causal effects: The role of randomization. Ann. Stat. 6(1), 34–58 (1978)CrossRefMATH
44.
Zurück zum Zitat F. Russo, J. Williamson, Interpreting causality in the health sciences. Int. Stud. Philos. Sci. 21(2), 157–170 (2007)CrossRef F. Russo, J. Williamson, Interpreting causality in the health sciences. Int. Stud. Philos. Sci. 21(2), 157–170 (2007)CrossRef
45.
Zurück zum Zitat F. Russo, J. Williamson, Generic versus single-case causality: The case of autopsy. Eur. J. Philos. Sci. 1(1), 47–69 (2011)CrossRef F. Russo, J. Williamson, Generic versus single-case causality: The case of autopsy. Eur. J. Philos. Sci. 1(1), 47–69 (2011)CrossRef
46.
Zurück zum Zitat D.I.K. Sjøberg, T. Dybå, B.C.D. Anda, J.E. Hannay, Building theories in software engineering, in Guide to advanced empirical software engineering, ed. by F. Shull, J. Singer, D.I.K. Sjøberg (Springer, Heidelberg, 2008), pp. 312–336 D.I.K. Sjøberg, T. Dybå, B.C.D. Anda, J.E. Hannay, Building theories in software engineering, in Guide to advanced empirical software engineering, ed. by F. Shull, J. Singer, D.I.K. Sjøberg (Springer, Heidelberg, 2008), pp. 312–336
47.
Zurück zum Zitat P. Thagard, Explaining disease: correlations, causes, and mechanisms, in Explanation and Cognition, ed. by F.C. Keil, R.A. Wilson (MIT Press, Cambridge, 2000), pp. 255–276 P. Thagard, Explaining disease: correlations, causes, and mechanisms, in Explanation and Cognition, ed. by F.C. Keil, R.A. Wilson (MIT Press, Cambridge, 2000), pp. 255–276
48.
Zurück zum Zitat R.J. Wieringa, M. Daneva, N. Condori-Fernandez, The structure of design theories, and an analysis of their use in software engineering experiments, in International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement (ESEM) (IEEE Computer Society, Los Alamitos, 2011), pp. 295–304 R.J. Wieringa, M. Daneva, N. Condori-Fernandez, The structure of design theories, and an analysis of their use in software engineering experiments, in International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement (ESEM) (IEEE Computer Society, Los Alamitos, 2011), pp. 295–304
49.
Zurück zum Zitat J. Woodward, Making Things Happen. A Theory of Causal Explanation (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2003) J. Woodward, Making Things Happen. A Theory of Causal Explanation (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2003)
Metadaten
Titel
Scientific Theories
verfasst von
Roel J. Wieringa
Copyright-Jahr
2014
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-43839-8_9