Concept definition review: A method for studying terminology in software engineering

IF 3.8 2区计算机科学 Q2 COMPUTER SCIENCE, INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Information and Software Technology Pub Date : 2024-12-31 DOI:10.1016/j.infsof.2024.107648

Sabine Molenaar, Nikita van den Berg, Fabiano Dalpiaz, Sjaak Brinkkemper

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Context:

In scientific domains, definitions provide a precise description of fundamental concepts. Although the debate within the philosophy of computer science regarding the scientific nature of software engineering (SE) is inconclusive, SE researchers have laid down important steps toward treating SE as a scientific paradigm.

Objective:

We aim to support precise and effective communication among SE researchers and practitioners by providing a systematic process for the identification and analysis of definitions, in order to support the selection of a suitable definition for a certain use case.

Method:

Inspired by methods for the planning and execution of systematic literature reviews, we construct a method that is specific for concept definition reviews (CDRs). These reviews are performed whenever a research team wishes to obtain a detailed understanding of an SE concept that may have been characterized by dozens, if not hundreds, definitions.

Results:

We built our method via two design science iterations. The first one focused on the concept feature and resulted in the definitive version of the CDR method presented in this paper. We then applied the revised method to two, related concepts: quality requirement and non-functional requirement. Besides showing the applicability of the CDR method, our results include findings regarding the characteristics and evolution of the terms.

Conclusions:

The two applications of the CDR method highlight the existence and citation of hundreds of definitions, many of which are nearly (but not exactly) identical. We put forward our method for other researchers to shed light on the key terminology in other sub-fields of SE.

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来源期刊

Information and Software Technology 工程技术-计算机：软件工程

CiteScore

9.10

自引率

7.70%

发文量

164

审稿时长

9.6 weeks

期刊介绍： Information and Software Technology is the international archival journal focusing on research and experience that contributes to the improvement of software development practices. The journal''s scope includes methods and techniques to better engineer software and manage its development. Articles submitted for review should have a clear component of software engineering or address ways to improve the engineering and management of software development. Areas covered by the journal include: • Software management, quality and metrics, • Software processes, • Software architecture, modelling, specification, design and programming • Functional and non-functional software requirements • Software testing and verification & validation • Empirical studies of all aspects of engineering and managing software development Short Communications is a new section dedicated to short papers addressing new ideas, controversial opinions, "Negative" results and much more. Read the Guide for authors for more information. The journal encourages and welcomes submissions of systematic literature studies (reviews and maps) within the scope of the journal. Information and Software Technology is the premiere outlet for systematic literature studies in software engineering.