INF5500 – Empirical methods and evidence-based decisions in software development

Course content

Important decisions in software development should be based on valid research results and systematic collection and use of experience. This course provides knowledge about and practical skills in support of efficient and good software development decisions.

Learning outcome

The students will learn how to base important software development decisions, such as choice of development method, programming language and development tool, on critical and systematic reviews of existing knowledge.

Topics covered to support improved ability to make good decisions include:
1) Use of evidence-based decisions processes,
2) Use and evaluation of results from empirical studies, and
3) Evaluation of argumentation.

To illustrate the topics and exemplify the use of evidence-based decision processes, the course reviews state-of-the-art knowledge in central software development topics, such as software development methods, estimation methods, model-based development and testing, and, use of empirical methods to evaluate the effect of methods and tools.

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Prerequisites

Recommended previous knowledge

INF1050 – Systems Development (continued)

The course assumes basis knowledge about and some practical experience with software development.

Teaching

Two hours lectures each week.

Examination

Individual project report where skills in use of evidence-based software development decisions are evaluated. General information about the examination.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

This subject does not offer new examination in the beginning of the subsequent term for candidates who withdraw during an ordinary examination or fail an ordinary examination. For general information about new examination, see /studier/admin/eksamen/sykdom-utsatt/mn/index.html and /english/studies/admin/examinations/new-exam/index.html

Withdrawal from an examination

It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

Other

It is strongly recommended to attend the first lecture since it will be given important information.

Facts about this course

Credits
10
Level
Master
Teaching
Every autumn
Examination
Every autumn
Teaching language
Norwegian (English on request)