Design Science Research and the Grounded Theory Method: Characteristics, Differences, and Complementary Uses

The information systems (IS) research community is characterized by a large diversity of research approaches and topics. Although empirical quantitative research approaches dominate (Orlikowski et al. 1991), new research strategies are on the rise. Two research strategies that have received increasing scholarly attention recently are design science research (DSR) and the grounded theory method (GTM). For example, the European Journal of Information Systems (EJIS) recently published a special issue on DSR edited by Baskerville (2008). In addition, there is a call for papers by the same journal for a special issue on the GTM which will appear in the near future. Leading scholars that are very familiar with either one of these research strategies are in the editorial board of some of the leading journals (e.g., Alan Hevner and Juhani Iivari are senior editors at MIS Quarterly and Richard Baskerville is editor-in-chief at EJIS) and new special interest groups are emerging (e.g., the Association of IS special interest group on grounded theory). Despite the fact that both research strategies are not new, they have something in common: They both have become popular in IS research only recently while originating from related fields (GTM from sociology and DSR from engineering and architecture). Hence, there is a need for IS scholars to deal with these research strategies to enhance our understanding how they can yield new findings in the study of IS phenomena.