Speaker: Ohad Barzilay, Tel Aviv University

Title: Empirical Methods in Software Engineering Research

ABSTRACT

For all fields of software engineering (SE), empirical research
methods should enable the development of scientific knowledge about
how useful different SE technologies are for different kinds of
actors, performing different kinds of activities, on different kinds
of systems. In this talk we review the most common primary approaches
to SE research and the methodologies used for it. We review the
various methods and techniques used along the research: data
collection methods, data analysis methods and theory generation and
confirmation.
 
We elaborate on qualitative research paradigm and its applications in
SE research.  Qualitative research is based on subjects' own
perceptions or experiences in order to provide insight into their
beliefs about their circumstances rather than measurable data.
Qualitative research involves an in-depth understanding of human
behavior and the reasons that govern it.  We review several software
engineering studies that use the qualitative research paradigm.
 
Ohad Barzilay is a PhD student in Tel Aviv University under the
supervision of Professor Amiram Yehudai (Tel Aviv University) and
Professor Orit Hazzan (Technion). He is conducting a software
engineering empirical research using qualitative approach
investigating programmers practices and activities.