Title
A design science based evaluation framework for patterns
Abstract
Patterns were originally developed in the field of architecture as a mechanism for communicating good solutions to recurring classes of problems. Since then, many researchers and practitioners have created patterns to describe effective solutions to problems associated with disparate areas such as virtual project management, human-computer interaction, software development and engineering, and design science research. We believe that the development of patterns is a design science activity in which an artifact (i.e., a pattern) is created to communicate about and improve upon the current state-of-practice. Design science research has two critical components, creation and evaluation of an artifact. While many patterns have been created, few, if any, have been evaluated in this sense. In this paper, we propose a framework to evaluate patterns in any domain and provide examples of how to use the evaluation framework. This process of evaluation could help researchers refine extant patterns and improve the possibility of creating sustainable best practices for a given domain. We believe this evaluation framework begins an important dialogue related to the evaluation of patterns as artifacts of design science research. We draw upon the literature associated with patterns, evaluation of design science research, and research methods to develop this framework for evaluating patterns in a more consistent and rigorous manner.
Year
DOI
Venue
2010
10.1145/1851175.1851177
Database
Keywords
Field
DocType
design science,patterns,pattern languages,effective solution,design science activity,software development,evaluation framework,disparate area,evaluation,design science research,critical component,extant pattern,current state-of-practice,research method,best practice,pattern language,human computer interaction
Behavioral pattern,Computer science,Interaction design pattern,Structural pattern,Software design pattern,Pattern language,Design science research,Design science,Architectural pattern,Management science
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
41
3
0095-0033
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
8
0.65
19
Authors
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Stacie Petter1159048.95
Deepak Khazanchi246831.19
John D. Murphy31375.79