Ethnography Flashcards
What is ethnography?
A qualitative research approach used in the context of requirements engineering
What are the benefits of ethnography?
It can provide an insight into the true nature of the work.
Reveals actual work practices rather than theoretical
What does Somerville say is wrong with current techniques?
Focus on documents rather than actual working practices.
Problems of ethnography?
Timescales are too long for industrial sw development practices.
Cost of ethnography studies are too high.
Unstructured idiosyncratic field notes may be difficult for others to interpret.
What is ethnography analysis?
Ethnographer and software developer spend time together in actual work environment. Supplemented by reading documentation
What is generic system development?
Generic system developed after analysis. Initiate more indepth ethnographic studies in this stage.
What is a debriefing meeting?
System developers question ethnographers about their observations.
Central to understanding of the work process.
Allows developers to emphasise particular work practices.
What is focused ethnography?
Questions get more specific after prototype developed regarding the control process. Fed through briefing meetings.
What is prototype evaluation?
Ethnographer uses their knowledge gained to test the system and whether it meets requirements
