Empirical software engineering: Teaching methods and conducting studies

Abstract

Empirical software engineering has grown in importance in the software engineering research community over the last 20 years. This means that it has become very important to also include empirical studies systematically into the curricula in computer science and software engineering. This chapter presents several aspects and challenges to have in mind when doing this. The chapter presents three different educational levels to have in mind when introducing empirical software engineering into the curricula. An introduction into the curricula also means increased possibilities to run empirical studies in student settings. Some challenges in relation to this is presented and the need to balance educational and research objectives is stressed. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.