Empirical methodologies in software engineering

The collection and use of evidence in SoftwareEngineering practice and research are essential elementsin the development of the discipline. This paper discussesthe need for evidence-based software engineering, thenature of evidence in its various forms and some of theresearch methodologies used in other disciplines for thecollection of evidence, which are also relevant to softwareengineering. Two frameworks or models are proposedwhich illustrate the relationships between themethodologies discussed. In particular, the paperhighlights the importance and roles of both positivist andinterpretivist methods of investigation.