TY - JOUR
T1 - Cooperative method development
T2 - combining qualitative empirical research with method, technique and process improvement
AU - Dittrich, Yvonne
AU - Rönkkö, Kari
AU - Eriksson, Jeanette
AU - Hansson, Christina
AU - Lindeberg, Olle
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - The development of methods tools and process improvements is best to be based on the understanding of the development practice to be supported. Qualitative research has been proposed as a method for understanding the social and cooperative aspects of software development. However, qualitative research is not easily combined with the improvement orientation of an engineering discipline. During the last 6 years, we have applied an approach we call 'cooperative method development', which combines qualitative social science fieldwork, with problem-oriented method, technique and process improvement. The action research based approach focusing on shop floor software development practices allows an understanding of how contextual contingencies influence the deployment and applicability of methods, processes and techniques. This article summarizes the experiences and discusses the further development of this approach based on several research projects in cooperation with industrial partners.
AB - The development of methods tools and process improvements is best to be based on the understanding of the development practice to be supported. Qualitative research has been proposed as a method for understanding the social and cooperative aspects of software development. However, qualitative research is not easily combined with the improvement orientation of an engineering discipline. During the last 6 years, we have applied an approach we call 'cooperative method development', which combines qualitative social science fieldwork, with problem-oriented method, technique and process improvement. The action research based approach focusing on shop floor software development practices allows an understanding of how contextual contingencies influence the deployment and applicability of methods, processes and techniques. This article summarizes the experiences and discusses the further development of this approach based on several research projects in cooperation with industrial partners.
KW - Empirical research
KW - cooperative method development
KW - human factors
KW - research methodology
KW - software engineering
U2 - 10.1007/s10664-007-9057-1
DO - 10.1007/s10664-007-9057-1
M3 - Article
SN - 1382-3256
VL - 13
SP - 231
EP - 260
JO - Empirical Software Engineering
JF - Empirical Software Engineering
IS - 3
ER -