[WP4] D4.3 Theory Building and Further Research

This deliverable (D4.3) concludes the design-based research (DBR) process carried out within Work Package 4 (WP4) of the PAX project. The aim of this process was to develop the PAX Developing Environment (PDE), which is a web-based tool that supports interdisciplinary collaboration in the creation of XR applications with a pedagogical basis. It also supports the development of theory and further research based on the user tests conducted for previous deliverables. The PDE was iteratively designed, prototyped and tested through workshops and practical use cases involving educators, developers and researchers, building upon earlier deliverables D4.1 and D4.2. The four-step Capture-Plan-Realise-Apply structure was implemented to serve as a guiding framework for aligning technical design with educational intent.This report documents the project's theoretical, methodological and design outcomes. These include: • Domain Theories: Theoretical explanations for the functioning of the design of the PDE.• A Design Framework: The structure of a guideline which is adaptable to contexts beyond XR, e.g. AI.• A Design Methodology: A participatory, multi-professional development process based on DBR principles, including roles, tools, and iterative phases. The deliverable also evaluates the DBR approach itself, reflecting on how it compares to alternative methodologies, such as SCRUM, which is typically used for project management in software development (Radaideh, 2024). The project team's insights emphasise the value of DBR in balancing research and practical development goals.