Summary: 35
CHAPTER 3
Case Studies
The improvement of understanding is for two ends: first, our own increase of knowledge;
secondly, to enable us to deliver that knowledge to others.
John Locke
There are three traditional research paradigms: mathematical, scientific, and engineer­
ing. In mathematics, research is derived from constructing concepts, often in the form of
formal proofs and reflexive induction and reasoning. In ' social science and scientific fields,
research assumes an experimental or empirical slant. The paradigm adopted in this disser­
tation is the engineering approach, which typically involves studying a problem, proposing
solutions, and testing the solution on real problems. Specifically, the paradigm employed
is one of conceptualization, empirical exploration, and testing. The Goal­Based Require­
ments Analysis Method, introduced in the following chapter, was developed and evaluated
while working on real problems. This contrasts with other approaches to method develop­
ment in software engineering research in which methods are developed and later tested on
conceptualizations formed in isolation from real applications.
This chapter discusses development of the Goal­Based Requirements Analysis Method
(GBRAM) in the context of its application to real case studies. The approach taken has
concurrently led to the development of an integrative goal­based requirements method and

Source: Antón, Annie I. - Department of Computer Science, North Carolina State University

Collections: Computer Technologies and Information Sciences