http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_thinking
and I'm not too sure what that phrase really means either.
http://dschool.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bootc...
even better, try to get into the Stanford course (they give open, 4-hour workshops, the last one was full)
Edit: they also have a virtual "crash-course":
http://dschool.stanford.edu/dgift/
I was shown some of the materials students made (in full Stanford courses, not in the 4-hour introductory workshop :) ), and they were amazing.
I observed that one thing Americans have over students in my home country/culture is, they're way more likely to learn how to make awesome presentations :) .
"This approach differs from the scientific method, which begins with thoroughly defining all the parameters of the problem in order to create a solution. Design thinking starts without preconceived problem definitions and solutions, in order to discover hidden parameters and alternate optimized paths to the goal."
Airbnb experimented with a different approach by going out and taking better pictures themselves, rather than the using the preconceived notion that startups should never do things that do not scale.
it seems to me design and scientific method need not be separate at all... i worked with some good designers at ziba on my last project and they were effectively following a scientific method - hypothesis for design, rapid implementation, then testing with users, observe and repeat. ( was fun too )