A Meta-Theoretical Basis for Design Theory Dr. Terence Love We-B Centre School of Management Information Systems Edith Cowan University
State of design theory Many concepts, terminology, theories, data, and research conclusions in design research are: ill-defined confused conflated confabulated This is mainly due to a lack of attention to underlying theoretical assumptions and epistemological and ontological foundations.
Correcting terminology or theory? Design terminology is compromised by its inconsistency. Design theories are not coherent with each other. Neither have a firm and well defined epistemological and ontological foundations The situation can be resolved by clarifying both theory and terminology together. Meta-theoretical analysis provides the most direct means.
Three aspects of theory Theory exists in three main ways: Theory as individual cognition (subjective world) - the theories in peoples heads and their feeling representations of those theories Theory written down (objective world) - this may also include formulae, visual representations, knowledge encoded in databases Theory qua theory (theoretical world) - the essence of the theory independent of its storage, representation or transmission media.
Elements of a Meta-Theoretical approach A meta-theoretical approach to building coherent theories of designing and associated processes must be able to address: Human subjective processes Human cognition (conscious and unconscious) Human internal and external physical processes Issues relating to human values The structure and dynamic of theory construction Object descriptions, behaviours and relationships
Meta-theoretical analysis Meta-theoretical analyses clarify by focusing on the structure, dynamics, validity, coherence and appropriateness of the interrelated abstract entities that make up theory. Using a meta-theoretical approach changes the focus from "What does 'X' mean?" to "What meaning is most useful to allocate to 'X to build coherent theory?. For example, What is designing? becomes What is the most appropriate meaning for the word designing as a basis for building useful, broad-based and coherent design theory?
Theory and its structures All theory is unprovable in isolation and depends upon a wider theoretical structure that it both supports and is supported by. Theoretical abstractions (concepts, theories and terms) relate to each other hierarchically and in parallel at similar levels of abstraction Hierarchical relationships define the internal validity and correctness of theoretical developments. Parallel relationships validate theories in terms of other issues - eg with other well-justified knowledge.
Basic hierarchical theory structure A basic hierarchical structure of design theory would be expected to contain the following categories ranging from the most to least abstract. Philosophical issues General theories of design Theories about design cognition Theories about object behaviour
Meta-theoretical hierarchy of Design Theory 1. Ontology of designing and design theory 2. Epistemology of design theory 3. General design theories 4. Theories about the internal processes of designers and collaboration 5. Theories about the structure of design process 6. Design methods 7. Theories about mechanisms of choice 8. Theories about the behaviour of elements 9. Initial conception and labeling of reality
Structure and elements of design theories Theoretical elements of levels 2-9 are based on assumptions defined at higher levels, and theoretical elements of levels 1-8 describe patterns in theoretical elements at lower levels. The definition of any theoretical element requires the identification of its relationships to all other levels. Hierarchical relationships exist between theories and concepts at all levels, whether or not they have yet been identified. Different fields of design have a different distribution through the levels of the hierarchy.
Resolving problems of theory 1 Where new theories and concepts are proposed at any level, the necessary associated abstractions can be identified for all other levels. Any design theory, concept or term can be evaluated, as an abstraction, in terms of its relationships with other well-justified theoretical abstractions at all levels. When a new concept is proposed at any level, the meta-theoretical hierarchy assists with identifying whether new terminology is needed to distinguish the new concept from other concepts at the same or different levels of abstraction.
Resolving the problems of theory 2 Sufficiency - Shows whether concepts or theories have been sufficiently defined. Differentiation - Shows the differences between similar but different concepts. Definition - Shows the exact meaning of a term or concept by reference to all levels. Critical analysis - Independent observer can analyse in detail an author s use of terminology and concepts. Integrity - Indicates whether theories are made up of congruent elements at appropriate levels.
Fundamental failure of definition The term design is used in several different ways: The human internal activity of designing External activities related to designing The specification for making an object An object that has been designed Anything that has been made Any thing Any process Any human activity
Practical tool for clarifying documents This can be applied to any text using the term design Identify each use of the term design and replace it with either: designing, specification of designed object or artefact - whichever is most accurate. Then replace each designing with either human internal activity of designing or external processes related to designing. This clarifies most documents and often makes them more readable. It also shows up many inconsistencies in analytical and logical chains of argument.
Core Aspects of Design Theory Design theory has three main foundational aspects: Social: Designing is done for and by humans Environmental: The purpose of all designing is to change human environments. Ethical: Good, bad, better and worse are essential to all aspects of designing. Issues of physical attributes and appearance (form) are secondary, and, in most cases, more appropriately viewed as part of other disciplines such as: science, engineering, graphic art, informatics, or ergonomics.