IN5140 - Empirical Research Methods in Software Engineering - Smart Processes and Agile Methods in Software Engineering

Oct 14, 2026

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Lecture slides for IN5140 introduce smart processes and agile methods in software engineering through the lens of empirical research. The content motivates the use of empirical methods, frames the challenge of evaluating factual claims from expert generative LLM agents, and outlines learning objectives for evidence-based software engineering. It covers the structure of empirical research, including evidence-based practice, empirical research methods, and validity, with emphasis on how context influences research questions and answers. It also notes that only a subset of slides is shown.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages84

Reading Time29 min

AccessFree to download

Learning objectives

Structure

Context

Empirical research

Validity

Evidence-based software engineering

IN5140: Smart processes and agile methods in software engineering Empirical Research Methods in Software Engineering Associate professor Gunnar Bergersen [gunnab@ifi.uio.no](gunnab@ifi.uio.no)[ ](gunnab@ifi.uio.no)5 October 2026 Q: Why use «empirical methods» ? 5 ”Pale blue dot” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO5FwsblpT8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO5FwsblpT8) ”We don’t need any scientific report that tells us …” Experience trumps (is better than) research? à What about the factual claims of an (expert) generative LLM agent? NRK Folkeopplysningen 5:7 Claims cheat-sheet 7 About me • Current: – Associate professor at Software Engineering group • Education – MSc (2001) and PhD (2015) from UiO – PhD thesis: “Measuring programming skill” • Prior work experience – Programmer – IT Project leader two companies – CEO three companies – Startup based on my PhD 9 Golonka et al (2023): the construct of cuteness [https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg](https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg). 2023.1068373 Learning objectives After this lecture, you should be able to … • Describe the central elements of empirical research and – Explain the steps involved in Evidence-based software engineering and provide critique of claims that based on use of theory and empirical results – Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different empirical research methods and suggest what method(s) to use for a specific situation – Identify how changes in context may affect the answer to a research question 10 Structure • Empirical research – Evidence-based software engineering – Empirical research methods • Validity – The importance of context Note: I only present a subset of the slides you will have to study Handouts marked with is not shown today, but you still have to read it! Context Empirical research • Empirical research concerns the acquisition of knowledge by empirical methods • Empirical research seeks to explore, describe, predict, and explain natural, social, or cognitive phenomena by using evidence based on observation or experience • What constitutes knowledge, and the methods for acquiring it, rests on basic assumptions regarding: – Ontology, i.e. , what we believe to exist, – Epistemology i.e. , how beliefs are acquired and what justifies them,– Methodology, e.g. , the inductive or the hypothetico-deductive method.

FAQs

Why use empirical methods in software engineering, and what is the motivation discussed?

The lecture motivates empirical methods by contrasting experience with research and questioning how to assess factual claims, including those made by generative LLM agents. It positions empirical approaches as a basis for reliable knowledge acquisition.

What learning objectives are stated for the lecture?

After the lecture, learners should describe central elements of empirical research, explain evidence-based software engineering steps and critique claims, and discuss strengths and weaknesses of empirical methods. Learners should also identify how contextual changes affect answers to research questions.

How is empirical research defined and what determines how knowledge is acquired?

Empirical research is defined as acquiring knowledge through empirical methods and using evidence from observation or experience to explore, describe, predict, and explain phenomena. The methods and what counts as knowledge rest on assumptions about ontology, epistemology, and methodology.

Oct 14, 2026

Upload by Mabel