Analizando alternativas metodológicas para la investigación educativa: Design Science Research (DSR)

Educational research requires robust methodologies that aid in the design of new pedagogical practices. In this context, Design Science Research (DSR) presents itself as a solid alternative to Design-Based Research (DBR). The main objective of this article is to present DSR as a methodological tool for educational research, highlighting its foundations, variants, and practical applications. Throughout the article, we will conduct a detailed analysis of DSR and its variants through examples of the development of educational technologies, pedagogical innovations, and the evaluation of educational programs. The most notable results show that DSR, with its cyclical structure that includes the relevance cycle, the design and construction cycle, and the rigor cycle, has been successfully applied in the development of online learning platforms, formative assessment tools, and pedagogical models. In comparison, DBR is characterized by its collaborative approach and methodological flexibility, although it presents challenges in replicating results and selecting control groups. The conclusions indicate that DSR offers a structured and rigorous methodology that can improve educational research through the creation and evaluation of resulting products, ensuring greater replicability. On the other hand, DBR is valuable for its practical and collaborative approach; the choice between DSR and DBR will depend on the specific nature of the research and the available resources, suggesting that integrating both methodologies could offer a more comprehensive and effective solution to address educational challenges.