An empirical study of process knowledge: coherence as a static process property. Issue 4 (24th August 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crabtree, Carlton A.; Norcio, Anthony F.; Seaman, Carolyn B.; Raffo, David; Pfahl, Dietmar; Zhang, Li
• Is Part Of: Journal of software. Volume 26:Issue 4(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 451
• Page End: 463
• Publication Date: 2012-08-24
• Subjects: Software engineering -- Periodicals; Computer software -- Development -- Periodicals; Software maintenance -- Periodicals; 005.1
• DOI: 10.1002/smr.1567
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2047-7473

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p>This paper presents our research experiences studying process knowledge with qualitative and quantitative methods. Informed by related arguments, we present two hypotheses that are tested using a between subjects experimental design. The first hypothesis concerns the accuracy of software process elicitation, which we characterize as the human perception of error between description and performance of a process. The second hypothesis explores the detection of subtle differences in process articulation using latent semantic analysis, a computational technique for measuring patterns in written discourse. The results of our analyses are compared along with discussion of theoretical implications. We define a new type of process property, Coherence, which represents a measure of relatedness in process knowledge. Results also indicate that Coherence may be increased with the use of a conceptual model. Future research is guided by experimental and industrial application. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.</p> </abstract>