In this article, the authors first indicate the range of purposes and
the variety of settings in which design experiments have been conducted
and then delineate five crosscutting features that collectively
differentiate design experiments from other methodologies. Design
experiments have both a pragmatic bent—“engineering” particular
forms of learning—and a theoretical orientation—developing domainspecific
theories by systematically studying those forms of learning
and the means of supporting them. The authors clarify what is involved
in preparing for and carrying out a design experiment, and in
conducting a retrospective analysis of the extensive, longitudinal data
sets generated during an experiment. Logistical issues, issues of measure,
the importance of working through the data systematically, and
the need to be explicit about the criteria for making inferences are
discussed.