Experimental software engineering

Experimental software engineering is a part of software engineering that focuses on experiments involving software systems (software products, processes, and resources). The purpose of these experiments is to collect data that can be used to validate theories about the processes involved in software engineering (theory backed by data is a fundamental tenet of the scientific method).

Empirical software engineering is a related concept, sometimes used synonymously with experimental software engineering. Empirical software engineering emphasizes the use of empirical studies of all kinds to accumulate knowledge. Methods used include experiments, case studies, surveys, and using whatever data is available.

Research labs

There are a number of laboratories at universities, research institutes, and in industry that specialise in empirical and experimental software engineering, including:

• Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering (IESE)
• Fraunhofer Center for Experimental Software Engineering (CESE)
• Simula Research Laboratory
• COPPE/UFRJ Experimental Software Engineering Group
• University of Oslo

International Software Engineering Research Network (ISERN)

International Software Engineering Research Network (ISERN) is a global community of research groups who are active in experimental software engineering. Its purpose is to advance the practice of and foster university and industry collaborations within experimental software engineering. ISERN holds annual meetings in conjunction with the International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement (ESEM) conference.

References

• Victor Basili, Richard W. Selby, David H. Hutchens, "Experimentation in Software Engineering", IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, Vol. SE-12, No.7, July 1986
• Barry Boehm, Hans Dieter Rombach, and Marvin V. Zelkowitz (eds.), Foundations of Empirical Software Engineering — The Legacy of Victor R. Basili, Springer-Verlag, 2005, ISBN 3-540-24547-2.
• H. Dieter Rombach, Victor R. Basili and Richard W. Selby (eds.), [Experimental Software Engineering Issues: Critical Assessment and Future Directions], Springer-Verlag, 1993, ISBN 3-540-57092-6.
• Basili, V.; Rombach, D.; Schneider, K.; Kitchenham, B.; Pfahl, D.; Selby, R. (Eds.),Empirical Software Engineering Issues. Critical Assessment and Future Directions, Springer-Verlag, 2007, ISBN 978-3-540-71300-5.

External links

• List of laboratories doing empirical research