The future of empirical studies in software engineering. Proceedings of the ESEIW 2003 Workshop on Empirical Studies in Software Engineering

Empirical evidence is becoming more and more important for academics and practitioners to support arguments and decisions in research as well as software engineering practice. Although software engineers already evaluate both application level and component level products, they also need to be concerned with the evaluation of development processes, engineering methods, and even supplier organizations. However, academics as well as practitioners are concerned about the cost and effectiveness of applying many of the existing methods for empirical evaluation and collation of evidence. The aim of the workshop was to address the question of future directions for empirical software engineering. This included discussions regarding innovative approaches for empirical software engineering, as well as an examination of the nature of information needed by industry. The workshop proved to be a unique forum dedicated to the presentation and discussion of future research directions for empirical studies in software engineering that are sensitive to the needs of industry.