  The potential disconnect between research and practice in software
engineering (SE) means that the uptake of research outcomes has at times been
limited. In this paper we seek to identify research approaches that are
rigorous in terms of method but that are also relevant to software engineering
practitioners. After considering the correspondence of several approaches to
software systems research and practice we recommend a framework for applying
grounded theory in SE research, as a means of delivering both robust and useful
outcomes.
