Design Science Research Methodology As a Solution-Oriented Methodology

Design science has recently been considered as a research methodology that differs methodologically and philosophically from conventional methodologies. This methodology goes beyond descriptive-explanative researches and takes steps to solve problems. Though this methodology uses the research qualitative and quantitative instruments in the process of data-gathering and data-analyzing, the aim of the research is not to provide a mere description or explanation of problems or phenomena but to solve a social-technical problem through designing an artefact, model, procedure, and so on. Despite the importance of this methodology in areas such as management, information technology management, policy-making, and some other areas in social science, little attention has been given to it in Iran. That is why, lacking a solution-oriented attitude, almost all the published research papers in the field of social science concentrates on the description or explanation of problems or phenomena. In this article, while introducing and analyzing design science as a research methodology, exploring its philosophical foundations, and presenting the common frameworks in this field, we will examine its application in Iran.