Case Study Research in Software Engineering: Guidelines and Examples

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

PART I CASE STUDY METHODOLOGY

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 What is a Case Study?

1.2 A Brief History of Case Studies in Software Engineering

1.3 Why a Book on Case Studies of Software Engineering?

1.4 Conclusion

2 BACKGROUND AND DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Research Strategies

2.3 Characteristics of Research Strategies

2.3.1 Purpose

2.3.2 Control and Data

2.3.3 Triangulation

2.3.4 Replication

2.3.5 Inductive and Deductive Enquiries

2.4 What Makes a Good Case Study?

2.5 When is the Case Study Strategy Feasible?

2.6 Case Study Research Process

2.7 Conclusion

3 DESIGN OF THE CASE STUDY

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Elements of the Case Study Design

3.2.1 Rationale for the Study

3.2.2 Objective of the Study

3.2.3 Cases and Units of Analyses

3.2.4 Theoretical Framework

3.2.5 Research Questions

3.2.6 Propositions and Hypotheses

3.2.7 Concepts

3.2.8 Methods of Data Collection

3.2.9 Methods of Data Analysis

3.2.10 Case Selection

3.2.11 Selection of Data

3.2.12 Data Definition and Data Storage

3.2.13 Quality Control and Assurance

3.2.14 Maintaining the Case Study Protocol

3.2.15 Reporting and Disseminating the Case Study

3.3 Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues

3.4 Conclusion

4 DATA COLLECTION

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Different Types of Data Source

4.2.1 Classification of Data Sources

4.2.2 Data Source Selection

4.3 Interviews

4.3.1 Planning Interviews

4.3.2 The Interview Session

4.3.3 Postinterview Activities

4.4 Focus groups

4.5 Observations

4.6 Archival ...