Empirical Evaluation of Software Quality Attributes . This paper seeks to provide an answer by arguing that progress is dependent on the adoption of a programme of cumulative empirical research. Such a programme consists of original empirical research, independent replication to investigate and verify original results, and, critically, recipe-improvement replication in an attempt to produce more generalized results. Furthermore, a programme of cumulative empirical research is dependent upon quality attributes being communally defined and soundly related to appropriate measures. Empirical research is necessary to demonstrate that quality attributes, and their quantication, are well-founded.
Replication is necessary to investigate and confirm original results.
Thereafter, recipe-improvement addresses the significant problems of subject, environment and domain variability associated with the empirical study of software quality attributes. Recipe-improvement research is essential if results are to be progressed from the specific to the general. To support this argument this paper critically reviews the empirical research investigating the quality attribute of module coupling. Module coupling has been advocated for at least two decades. As an attribute of software quality, it is theoretically convincing, generally accepted, and widely taught.