Let's not discriminate against good work in design or experimentation

Abstract

I am distressed that graduate education in computer science is forcing students into a theoretical mold, and away from the vital practical problems of software engineering. I therefore urge that graduate computer science departments pay attention to the problems of experimentation and design in computer science. This might be done, for example, by employing faculty with interests in design and experimentation, by offering courses and examinations in these areas, and/or by accepting Ph.D. dissertations involving substantial designs or experiments of high quality. I believe that the last is the most important action to be taken now.