Research methods in software engineering

There is no generally accepted approach to research in software engineering, let alone computer science as a whole. Possibly because computer science is still a young science, a clear separation into distinct fields of research with respective research methods has not emerged (yet). Nonetheless, several different approaches to software engineering can be indentified: E. g., come scientists are concerned with formal and semi-formal development methods, others are concerned with empirical software engineering. Different approaches correspond with understandings of software engineering as a branch or variant of mathematics, natural science, engineering, architecture, psychology and others.