Case Studies


Case studies focus on situations related to a specific profession. In most cases, they are presented as stories, with actors and protagonists. In this way, case studies enable us to examine concrete details prior to or after the examination of an abstract theory. Each case study should have point(s) it aims to highlight and increase readers attention to. Generally speaking, if a case study brings to the surface the topics it aims to highlight and leads its readers to think on and analyze these topics, we may say that the case study achieves its goals.

At the end of Chapter 16, Case Studies of Software Engineering, you were asked to identify features of case studies. You are invited to add your characteristics to our suggested list of case study traits:

  • Focused

  • Vivid

  • Relevant for the audience

  • Not trivial

  • Highlights known topics from new perspectives

Case studies can be used in different ways. For example, a lecturer can ask a class of students to discuss a case study in groups and then present their conclusions in front of the class. After the different groups present their analysis and opinions , these approaches can be discussed, clarified, and elaborated. Another way in which case studies can be used is in job interviews to learn about candidates attitudes toward specific situations that might be raised in work. In such interviews, the interviewees can be asked to analyze case studies presented to them. The attitude reflected in their analysis may be one of the hiring factors. Chapter 16 exhibits another way by which case studies can be used. It focuses on specific events in software development and highlights them from the different perspectives discussed throughout this book. The case studies presented in Chapter 16 are short in order to concentrate readers attention on specific topics.

Case studies are used in many professions , such as business administration, medicine, and law. In all these fields, the purpose of using case studies is similar. The differences are expressed , of course, in the contents of the case studies and the terminology they use. Each community adopts a slightly different writing style in presenting its case studies.




Human Aspects of Software Engineering
Human Aspects of Software Engineering (Charles River Media Computer Engineering)
ISBN: 1584503130
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 242

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