A NOTE ON THE DEBATE ON SCIENTIFIC PROCESS VS. DESIGN PROCESS

DS 68-2: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED 11), Impacting Society through Engineering Design, Vol. 2: Design Theory and Research Methodology, Lyngby/Copenhagen, Denmark, 15.-19.08.2011

Year: 2011
Editor: Culley, S.J.; Hicks, B.J.; McAloone, T.C.; Howard, T.J. & Reich, Y.
Author: Motte, Damien; Bjärnemo, Robert
Series: ICED
Section: Design Theory and Research Methodology
Page(s): 356-365

Abstract

It has often been mentioned that the scientific process is quite opposite to the design process, mainly consisting in the analysis of existing phenomena in order to develop a theory, the design process being a synthesis act that creates something new into the world. In the light of the developments that led to this conception and with reference to the current view on the scientific process, it is argued that the scientific process has more similarities with the design process than differences. As parallels can be drawn between both processes, some implications for further research onto the fundaments of the design activity are discussed.

Keywords: SCIENTIFIC PROCESS; DESIGN THEORY; DESIGN SCIENCE; DESIGN PROCESS

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