%0 Thesis
%9 Doctoral
%A Wernick, P.D.
%B Computer Science
%D 1996
%F discovery:1349009
%I University of London
%P 280
%T A belief system model for software development : a framework by analogy
%U https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1349009/
%X This work examines the belief system underlying computer-based systems  development, by reference to an analogy with a model of scientific research due to  Kuhn. Kuhn's model describes 'scientific communities', each united by an  underlying many-faceted belief system, the 'disciplinary matrix', which forms a  constellation of commitments shared by the members of these communities. A  scientific community is compared here with the community of computer-based  systems developers and its sub-groups. The division of the developers of  computer-based systems development methods and tools into schools based on  paradigmatic differences is paralleled with Kuhn's view of a scientific discipline at  the early, pre-science, stage. The use of a computer-based systems development  method in practice, and informal computer-based systems development activities,  are paralleled with Kuhnian normal science, working within the paradigm of the  discipline and of the techniques employed. This parallel provides a framework for  structuring the explicit and implicit assumptions and models which form the craft  knowledge underlying computer-based systems development theory and practice.  Following a search for elements of the disciplinary matrix in the theory of  computer-based systems development, as described in textbooks, and in its practice  through interviews with developers, the results of action research and reports of  systems development failures, it is concluded that the analogy with Kuhn's view of  scientific activity is justifiable, and that articulation and examination of the  implications of the analogy can reveal useful information to assist in describing and  improving computer-based systems development. The results of this search are  presented in terms of the specific beliefs and models identified. It is suggested  that, as future research, the Kuhn-based model of computer-based systems  development should be extended into a detailed investigation into the effects of  individual elements of the disciplinary matrix, either individually or in  combination, on the mind set of the computer-based systems developer.
%Z Thesis digitised by British Library EThOS