What kind of research is research through design

This paper serves as an analysis and critique of research through design, asking whether research through design is actually different from existing methods of scientific research, which is the way it is portrayed. If it wasn´t different would this be a desirable or undesirable? Embedded in the concept of research through design is the idea that there is a “designerly way of knowing” that justified the use of the method as opposed to “standard” research methods. The paper asks if this assumption is on safe ground. The paper presents models of “standard” research in design (and examples) and research through design processes (and examples) and compares them to see what similarities and difference exist.