Empirical Methodologies for Web Engineering

We review a range of data generation methods and empirical research strategies of potential usefulness to web engineering research. The various strategies do not all share the same underlying philosophy about knowledge and how it can be acquired. We therefore explain two contrasting philosophical paradigms: positivism and interpretivism. We suggest that empirical web engineering should use a plurality of research strategies and data generation methods, and recognise the potential usefulness of both positivism and interpretivism. Finally we discuss the implications of such a plurality.

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