The survey study was conducted to evaluate the actionable guidelines developed to enhance empathy in SE. This study aimed to validate the previously developed empathy guidelines with a larger and more diverse pool of participants, refine the guidelines based on their feedback, and strengthen their generalisability. In addition, it aimed to identify additional approaches for integrating these guidelines into real-world software development practices and workflows.

The study employed a mixed-methods survey to collect both quantitative and qualitative data from 103 software practitioners with diverse backgrounds. Participants assessed the guidelines based on their perceived importance, ease of adoption, and likelihood of adoption. They were also invited to suggest additional methods for embedding empathy into SE practices.

The study’s findings offer valuable insights into the practical applicability of the guidelines and highlight novel approaches for integrating empathy-driven practices into software development workflows. These insights contribute to future research and provide actionable recommendations for strengthening empathy as a core element of SE processes.