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Software ExperimentationFDA188, 2005HT
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Course plan
Lectures
See comments.
Recommended for
The course is suitable for IT and CS PhD students interested in how to design and carry out experimental research in Software Engineering and Computer Science, as well as advanced Software Engineering MS students and industrial participants. The course presents a horizontal look at a number of differentresearch areas in Software Engineering, with the view being on empirical validation.
The course was last given
The course has not previously been given in Linköping but has been given several times at George Mason University. The course was last given in fall 2001.
Goals
The course presents a horizontal look at a number of different research areas in Software Engineering, with the view being on empirical validation.
Prerequisites
A strong background in software engineering and software development will be
necessary. Although many of the papers will be quite specific in topic,
extensive background in these topics will not be necessary -- we will extract
the experimental techniques and procedures from the papers.
NOTE: Reading of papers listed under "Empirical Methods Overview" are
considered prerequisites and they should therefore, be read BEFORE first
seminar in August.
Contents
* Detailed study of the scientific process; particularly using the experimental
method
* Examination of how empirical studies are carried out in software engineering
* Review of the distinction between analytical techniques and empirical
techniques. When is experimentation required in software engineering, and what
kinds of problems can be solved using experimentation
* How to control variables and eliminate bias in experimentation
* Analysis and presentation of empirical data for decision making
Students will learn how the scientific process should be applied, how and when
to apply it in the software engineering area, and how to evaluate empirical
evidence. The principles will be reinforced by examination of published
experimental studies, and through designing and carrying out small experiments.
On completion of the course students will be in a position to design and carry
out experiments in ways appropriate for a given problem, and will acquire
skills in analyzing and presenting experimental data.
This course will examine and critique experimental techniques to evaluate
software engineering techniques and processes. Our method will be to read and
discuss papers in the current literature, specifically focusing on the methods
of the experiments as opposed to the background or the implications of the
results. Specific topics to be explored include (but are not limited to)
software quality and testing, human computer interaction, software design,
maintenance, and software development techniques.
Organization
Lectures: 6 hours
Seminars: 13 hours
Project presentations: Approximately 9 hours
Literature
Articles
A tentative list that may be subject to changes is given at:
http://www.ise.gmu.edu/~ofut/classes/763/skovde-2005/papers.html
Lecturers
Jeff Offutt
Jonas Mellin
Examiner
Sten F. Andler
Examination
Active participation in seminars + project
Credit
3
Organized by
DRTS group, University of Skövde
Comments
Schedule:
June-July 2005: Students read general papers. These can be found under
"Empirical Methods Overview" (section I on the reading
list).
August, week 32, 2005: Tuesday 9/8, (13.15-17.00) Introductory lecture;
Wednesday 10/8 (9.15-12.00) Discussion of general papers,
(13.15-15.00),(15.15-17.00) Definition of projects; Thursday 10/8 (9.15-12.00)
Reading and discussion of some experimental papers.
September-December 2005: Students read rest of papers, work on project, submit
papers in December.
January, TBA, probably week 2 or 3, 2006: Day 1, (13.15-17.00) Discussion of
remaining papers; Day 2, (9.15-12.00) Discussion of remaining papers,
(13.15-17.00) Project presentations, (9.15-12.00) Project presentations
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