An Evaluation View of an Ensemble Artefact for Decision Support using Action Design Research

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v20i0.1280
Keywords: action design research, action research, design science, evaluation, qualitative, not-for-profit

Abstract

This paper investigates the integration of content, context and process (CCP) into the Action Design Research (ADR) framework to account for the interplay of organisational issues in artefact design and development. The investigation is conducted through a case study in which successive ICT student teams incrementally build, over several semesters, a tailored, low cost business intelligence (BI) system as an ensemble artefact for an organisation in the not-for-profit (NFP) sector. During project development, CCP’s human-centred approach to evaluation complements ADR’s more prescribed technology-driven software testing. The integration of CCP into ADR as an evaluation view offers an holistic approach to assessing an ensemble artefact. The resultant conceptual framework is presented as a model with an explication of unexpected design and research outcomes. 

Author Biographies

Dale MacKrell, University of Canberra

Dale MacKrell is an Assistant Professor in Information Systems at the University of Canberra. Her research and teaching interests include business intelligence and gender relations, and work-integrated learning projects for a not-for-profit organisation operating in the homelessness sector. Dale has published in Information Systems Journal, Decision Support Systems journal and the Australasian Journal of Information Systems as well as numerous Australian and international conferences.

Craig McDonald, University of Canberra

Craig McDonald is Professor of Informatics at the University of Canberra. His academic interests are in knowledge; its nature and its representation in systems, particularly computing systems. His Information Systems research contributions are to ontology, ethics, systems quality and education.

Published
2016-11-10
How to Cite
MacKrell, D., & McDonald, C. (2016). An Evaluation View of an Ensemble Artefact for Decision Support using Action Design Research. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 20. https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v20i0.1280
Issue
Vol 20 (2016)
Section
Research on Information Systems Design

Copyright (c) 2016 Dale MacKrell, Craig McDonald

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