Lab-Based Action Design Research

This paper proposes a research methodology, Lab-based Action Design Research, which combines organizational intervention (action research), building innovative artifacts (engineering research) and studies of software development practice (behavioral research) within a laboratory environment. Seven principles for successful Lab-based Action Design Research are proposed - attract funding with a win-win scenario; select inspiring projects; conduct simultaneous studies; mix methods; use longitudinal, quasi-experimental designs; use enterprise-level technical infrastructure; use established project management infrastructure. Initial evaluation indicates that the proposed approach is practical and may produce improvements in internal validity and theoretical generalizability.