The generative dance of design inquiry
Exploring Dewey's pragmatism for design research
Guido Stompff (Hogeschool Inholland)
T.M. van Bruinessen (TU Delft - Business Relations)
FEHM Smulders (TU Delft - DesIgning Value in Ecosystems, TU Delft - Delft Centre for Entrepreneurship)
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Abstract
In design research, the activities of design and research coalesce. It introduces thorny epistemological challenges and Dewey's pattern of inquiry is explored for its relevance for design research. First, a logical framework for design inquiry is developed that enables to reach warranted conclusions, retrospectively. Second, a temporal framework of activities is inferred, based on the experiences of two PhD candidates. These frameworks offer guidance to (1) develop transferable knowledge; (2) by oscillating between known theories and uncharted practices until new ideas arise; whereby (3) the value of these ideas is validated through experiments (action validity); and (4) with a community of inquiry (consensual validity). The knowledge produced stems from practice, is tested in practice and serves others in future inquiries.