In design science research, two important challenges exist to achieve greater influence in research and practice: (1) foster frequent reuse of artifacts and design theories and (2) increase knowledge accumulation in the field. In this article, we argue that replication studies could support the accumulation and development of design theories to reach a state that encourages reuse of artifacts and design theories. However, it is unclear precisely how replication relates to design science research—that is, what outcomes replication produces and how researchers should apply it within design science research. This study proposes three overarching research questions (Does the artifact provide utility? Is the design theory complete? What design theory components fit a larger context?) and eight categories for replication studies in design science research (Test, Redesign, Justification, Adaptation, Explanation, Update, Recreation, and Meta-Replication). We offer guidance to researchers, editors, and reviewers on how to conduct replication studies in design science research and why such studies are so critical. Our goal is to provide “food for thought” on the significance of design science research replication studies and, in turn, help facilitate their widespread implementation and publication. We conclude our study by highlighting areas for further discussion and investigation, such as defining replication procedures and conceptualizing genuine replication goals within design science research.

在设计科学研究中，要在研究和实践中获得更大的影响，存在两个重要挑战：（1）促进对工件和设计理论的频繁重用，以及（2）增加该领域的知识积累。在本文中，我们认为复制研究可以支持设计理论的积累和发展，从而达到鼓励重复使用工件和设计理论的状态。但是，目前尚不清楚复制与设计科学研究之间的确切关系，即复制产生了什么结果以及研究人员应如何在设计科学研究中应用复制。这项研究提出了三个总体研究问题（工件是否提供效用？设计理论是否完整？哪些设计理论要素适合更大的环境？）和设计科学研究中的八种复制研究类别（测试，重新设计，证明，改编，解释，更新，娱乐和元复制）。我们为研究人员，编辑和审稿人提供指导，指导他们如何在设计科学研究中进行复制研究，以及为什么这样的研究如此重要。我们的目标是为设计科学研究复制研究的重要性提供“思考的食粮”，进而帮助促进其广泛实施和出版。我们通过突出需要进一步讨论和研究的领域来结束我们的研究，例如定义复制程序并在设计科学研究中概念化真正的复制目标。