WHY SOFTWARE TESTING IS SOMETIMES INEFFECTIVE - 2 APPLIED STUDIES OF POSITIVE TEST STRATEGY

The term positive test strategy describes the tendency to test a hypot hesis with test cases that confirm (i.e., aim to support) rather than disconfirm the hypothesis. Most demonstrations of this phenomenon have involved relatively abstract problems. The authors suggest that peopl e use a positive test strategy in a more applied setting as well, that is, in computer software testing. In 2 experiments, they examined how Ss with varying expertise performed functional testing of software. T here was substantial evidence of the use of a positive test strategy: Ss tended to test only those functions and aspects of the software tha t were specifically described in the specifications as what the softwa re was supposed to do. This effect was only partially mitigated by inc reasing expertise among testers and by more complete program specifica tions.