Impact of Expert Interviews in Software Engineering: Challenges and Benefits

Abstract

Expert interviews play a significant role in software engineering research and can improve the reliability and validity of developed software systems. This paper explores the challenges and benefits of conducting expert interviews in software engineering research by examining interviews with the experts from search and rescue organizations, conducted by the author. It is found from literature that expert interviews can enhance the reliability and validity of software development and the usability of the final product. However, challenges such as accessing experts, language and terminology differences, and ethical considerations must be considered. According to the author’s personal experience, virtual interviews are more efficient and discrete, whereas physical interviews provide more information about the software systems in use.