Operationalizing Software Engineering Theories for Practical Validation

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2605.03257v1
• Date: Tue, 05 May 2026 01:09:34 GMT
• Title: Operationalizing Software Engineering Theories for Practical Validation
• Abstract summary: Software Engineering often adapts theory-building frameworks from the social sciences to address socio-technical complexity.<n> Operationalization translates abstract concepts into measurable elements for empirical validation.<n>We propose a systematic procedure for the operationalization phase that bridges the gap between abstract concepts and empirical validation.
• Score: 2.465742022428245
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: Software Engineering often adapts theory-building frameworks from the social sciences to address socio-technical complexity. The key phases of the theory-building process are conceptual development, operationalization, testing, and application. Operationalization translates abstract concepts into measurable elements for empirical validation. This phase is essential for delivering the practical utility required by an applied science like Software Engineering. We propose a systematic procedure for the operationalization phase that bridges the gap between abstract concepts and empirical validation, ensuring the resulting theory is both rigorous and practically useful. We extend the operationalization framework proposed by Sjøberg et al. and formulate non-causal hypotheses following Dubin's approach. Our procedure defines variables, selects indicators, and systematically derives hypotheses. We present a replicable, evidence-based methodological guideline that preserves a clear chain of evidence and supports practical validation. We illustrate the procedure using the DevOps Team Taxonomies Theory. This guideline provides a transparent chain of evidence from theory to testable elements, empowering researchers to ground theoretical advancements in empirical evidence and deliver actionable insights for practitioners.

Related papers

• Automated Adversarial Collaboration for Advancing Theory Building in the Cognitive Sciences [9.858210301644549]
  We introduce an automated adversarial collaboration framework for adjudicating among competing theories.<n>The system combines LLM-based theory agents, program synthesis, and information-theoretic experimental design in a closed loop.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2026-04-28T11:41:08Z)
• Statistical Learning Theory in Lean 4: Empirical Processes from Scratch [57.00315741159824]
  We present the first comprehensive Lean 4 formalization of statistical learning theory (SLT) grounded in empirical process theory.<n>Our end-to-end formal infrastructure implement the missing contents in latest Lean 4 Mathlib library.<n>This work establishes a reusable formal foundation and opens the door for future developments in machine learning theory.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2026-02-02T16:24:53Z)
• Fourier Neural Operators Explained: A Practical Perspective [75.12291469255794]
  The Fourier Neural Operator (FNO) has become the most influential and widely adopted due to its elegant spectral formulation.<n>This guide aims to establish a clear and reliable framework for applying FNOs effectively across diverse scientific and engineering fields.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-12-01T08:56:21Z)
• Newton to Einstein: Axiom-Based Discovery via Game Design [55.30047000068118]
  We propose a game design framework in which scientific inquiry is recast as a rule-evolving system.<n>Unlike conventional ML approaches that operate within fixed assumptions, our method enables the discovery of new theoretical structures.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-09-05T18:59:18Z)
• CTRLS: Chain-of-Thought Reasoning via Latent State-Transition [57.51370433303236]
  Chain-of-thought (CoT) reasoning enables large language models to break down complex problems into interpretable intermediate steps.<n>We introduce groundingS, a framework that formulates CoT reasoning as a Markov decision process (MDP) with latent state transitions.<n>We show improvements in reasoning accuracy, diversity, and exploration efficiency across benchmark reasoning tasks.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-07-10T21:32:18Z)
• A Theory-driven Interpretation and Elaboration of Verification and Validation [49.97673761305336]
  This paper presents a formal theory of verification and validation (V&V) within systems engineering.<n>We develop precise definitions of verification and validation, articulating their roles in confirming and contextualizing knowledge about systems.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-04-11T17:58:07Z)
• Generalised Process Theories [0.0]
  We propose an alternative formalization using operad algebras, motivated by recent results connecting SMCs to operadic structures.<n>We provide an accessible yet rigorous formulation that unifies and extends traditional process-theoretic approaches.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-02-14T18:47:07Z)
• Theory building for empirical software engineering in qualitative research: Operationalization [4.268591926288843]
  This paper presents a set of procedures to systematize the operationalization phase in theory building.<n>We operationalize the concepts and propositions that make up our theory to generate constructs and empirically testable hypotheses.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-12-03T11:15:27Z)
• Constructor Theory as Process Theory [0.0]
  We show how to formulate fundamental notions of constructor theory within the canvas of process theory. We answer the question of how constructor theory relates to the broader body of process-theoretic literature.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-12-14T12:58:55Z)
• A practical introduction to the Rational Speech Act modeling framework [2.1485350418225244]
  Recent advances in computational cognitive science paved the way for significant progress in formal, implementable models of pragmatics. This paper provides a practical introduction to and critical assessment of the Bayesian Rational Speech Act modeling framework.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-05-20T16:08:04Z)
• Forecasting: theory and practice [65.71277206849244]
  This article provides a non-systematic review of the theory and the practice of forecasting. We provide an overview of a wide range of theoretical, state-of-the-art models, methods, principles, and approaches. We then demonstrate how such theoretical concepts are applied in a variety of real-life contexts.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-12-04T16:56:44Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.