Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
Environment
DM Research
Knowledge Base
Relevance
Rigor
People
Roles
Capabilities
Characteristics
Foundations
Base-level theories
Frameworks
Models
Instantiation
Validation Criteria
Develop / Build
Theories
Artifacts
Organizations
Strategy
Structure&Culture
Processes
Assess
Refine
Design knowledge
Methodologies
Validation Criteria
(not instantiations
of models but KDD
processes, services,
systems)
Justify/
Evaluate
Analytical
Case Study
Experimental
Field Study
Simulation
Technology
Infrastructure
Applications
Communications
Architecture
Development
Capabilities
(Un-)Successful Applications in
the appropriate environment
Contribution to Knowledge Base
Fig. 10.
New research framework for DM research (adapted from [19])
that represents the problem to be mined but people, (business) organizations,
and their existing or desired technologies, infrastructures, and development
capabilities. Those include the (business) goals, tasks, problems, and oppor-
tunities that define (business) needs, which are assessed and evaluated within
the context of organizational strategies, structure, culture, and existing busi-
ness processes. Those research activities that are aimed at addressing business
needs contribute to the relevance of research.
Driven by the business needs, DM research can be conducted in two com-
plementary phases. Behavioral science would guide research through the
de-
velopment
and
justification
of theories that describe, explain or predict some
phenomena associated with the business need being addressed. Design science
enables the
building
and
evaluation
of artifacts being developed to address
the business need. It is generally accepted that the goal of behavioral science
research is truth and the goal of design science research is utility. However,
Hevner et al. [19] were likely the first who argued that truth and utility are in-
separable - “truth informs design and utility informs theory”. They conclude
that “an artifact may have utility because of some as yet undiscovered truth.
A theory may yet to be developed to the point where its truth can be incorpo-
rated into design. In both cases, research assessment via the justify/evaluate
activities can result in the identification of weaknesses in the theory or artifact
and the need to refine and reassess. The refinement and reassessment process
is typically described in future research directions.” [19]
