Teaching Practically Relevant Research Problem Formulation in Software Engineering with Lean Research Inception

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that Lean Research Inception effectively helps Software Engineering students formulate clearer, practice-aligned research problems, improving reasoning, contextualization, and communication skills through a case study.

Contribution

It introduces and evaluates the application of Lean Research Inception in SE education to enhance research problem formulation skills.

Findings

Students improved reasoning and clarity in problem formulation.

Students and advisors observed clearer, more structured research problems.

High recommendation rate for LRI in SE education.

Abstract

[Background] Well-formulated Software Engineering (SE) research problems are essential for bridging the gap between industry-academia. Lean Research Inception (LRI) aims to support this activity. [Goal] Apply LRI to support SE students in formulating practice-aligned research problems. [Method] We conducted a case study with 60 students and 7 faculty advisors of a Brazilian university. [Results] Students reported benefits in reasoning (60%), clarity and definition (61.7%), contextualization (60%), and communication (50%). Advisors also observed clearer and more structured problems (57.1%) with a high recommendation rate (85.7%). [Conclusion] LRI can be a promising approach to support practice-aligned research problem formulation in SE education.