Web-Based Information Systems: Developing a Design Theory

Design theory provides a description of the method and/or structure for the construction of an artifact. In the IS field, design theory represents one of the five major types of theory (Gregor 2006).Unlike theories for analysis, explanation, or prediction, IS design theories take a prescriptive approach by providing principles, functions, methods, and theoretical knowledge that are used in the development of IS. Design principles for Webbased systems are scattered and limited in the IS literature. The uniqueness of Web-based systems development warrants a new design theory for such development efforts. Based on an action research study, a set of 10 design principles were proposed.