Exploring a Mechanistic Approach to Experimentation in Computing

The mechanistic approach in philosophy of science contributes to our understanding of experimental design. Applying the mechanistic approach to experimentation in computing is beneficial for two reasons. It connects the methodology of experimentation in computing with the methodology of experimentation in established sciences, thereby strengthening the scientific reputability of computing and the quality of experimental design therein. Furthermore, it pinpoints the idiosyncrasies of experimentation in computing: computing deals closely with both natural and engineered mechanisms. Better understanding of the idiosyncrasies, which manifest in terms of a nonstandard role for experimentation, are interesting both for computer scientists and for philosophers of science. Computer scientists can think more clearly about their experimental choices. The role of experimentation elucidated by computer science merits further study from philosophers of science generally, as it highlights a role for experimentation hitherto unrecognized by philosophers: demonstration that activities exist

The Role and Relevance of Experimentation in Informatics

Informatics is a relatively young eld within sci- ence and engineering. Its research and develop- ment methodologies build on the scientic and de- sign methodologies in the classical areas, often with new elements to it. We take an in-depth look at one of the less well-understood methodologies in infor- matics, namely experimentation. What does it mean to do experiments in in- formatics? Does it make sense to `import' tradi- tional principles of experimentation from classical disciplines into the eld of computing and informa- tion processing? How should experiments be docu- mented? These are some of the questions that are treated. The report argues for the key role of empiri- cal research and experimentation in contemporary Informatics. Many IT systems, large and small, can only be designed sensibly with the help of experiments. We recommend that professionals and students alike are well-educated in the prin- ciples of sound experimentation in Informatics. We also recommend that experimentation protocols are used and standardized as part of the experimental method in Informatic

Computing and Experiments

The question about the scientific nature of computing has been widely debated with no universal consensus reached about its disciplinary status. Positions vary from acknowledging computing as the science of computers to defining it as a synthetic engineering discipline. In this paper, we aim at discussing the nature of computing from a methodological perspective. We consider, in particular, the nature and role of experiments in this field, whether they can be considered close to the traditional experimental scientific method or, instead, they possess peculiar and unique features. We argue that this experimental perspective should be taken into account when discussing the status of computing. We critically survey how the experimental method has been conceived and applied in computing, and some open issues that could be tackled with the aid of the history of science, the philosophy of science, and the philosophy of technology