Using situational and narrative analysis for investigating the messiness of software security

Abstract

Background: Software engineering work and its context often has characteristics of what in social science is termed 'messy'; it has ephemeral and irregular qualities. This puts high demands on researchers doing inquiry and analysis. Aims: This paper aims to show what a combination of situational analysis (SA) and narrative analysis (NA) can bring to qualitative software engineering research, and in particular for situations characterised by mess. Method: SA and NA were applied to a case study on software security. Results: We found that these analysis methods helped us gain new insights and understandings and a broader perspective of the situation we are studying. Additionally, the methods helped collaboration in the analysis. Conclusion: We recommend applying and studying these and similar combinations of analysis approaches further.