Artifacts as theories: Convergence through user-centered design

Abstract

This item is not the definitive copy. Please use the following citation when referencing this material: Dillon, A. (1995) Artifacts as Theories: Convergence through User- Centered Design. 1995 Proceedings of the 58th Annual ASIS Conference, Medford NJ: ASIS, 208-210. Abstract: The present paper proposes the artifact as theory perspective which draws together models of scientific practice and design behaviour and in so doing, offers the view of any information technology system as a conjecture on the part of the design team of human and organizational requirements to be met. By adopting this perspective, information system design can be seen as an ill-structured problem best tackled by usercentered theories and methods. The present paper will outline this perspective, emphasizing the need for convergence of views at the outset of design, and demonstrate the advantages it offers to both the theory and practice of technology design and the field of information science.