This chapter, authored by Steve Easterbrook, Janice Singer, Margaret-Anne Storey, and Daniela Damian, addresses the challenge of selecting appropriate empirical methods for software engineering research. The authors highlight the lack of guidance in choosing research methods and the importance of understanding the goals and limitations of each method. They introduce five key classes of empirical methods: Controlled Experiments (including Quasi-Experiments), Case Studies (both exploratory and confirmatory), Survey Research, Ethnographies, and Action Research. Each method is characterized by its strengths and weaknesses, and the chapter discusses the trade-offs involved in choosing among them. The authors emphasize that the selection of methods depends on various factors such as available resources, access to subjects, and the researcher's skills. To illustrate the selection process, the chapter presents two fictional examples: Jane, a new PhD student investigating the effectiveness of a fisheye-view file navigator, and Joe, an industrial lab researcher exploring the use of UML diagrams in software design.This chapter, authored by Steve Easterbrook, Janice Singer, Margaret-Anne Storey, and Daniela Damian, addresses the challenge of selecting appropriate empirical methods for software engineering research. The authors highlight the lack of guidance in choosing research methods and the importance of understanding the goals and limitations of each method. They introduce five key classes of empirical methods: Controlled Experiments (including Quasi-Experiments), Case Studies (both exploratory and confirmatory), Survey Research, Ethnographies, and Action Research. Each method is characterized by its strengths and weaknesses, and the chapter discusses the trade-offs involved in choosing among them. The authors emphasize that the selection of methods depends on various factors such as available resources, access to subjects, and the researcher's skills. To illustrate the selection process, the chapter presents two fictional examples: Jane, a new PhD student investigating the effectiveness of a fisheye-view file navigator, and Joe, an industrial lab researcher exploring the use of UML diagrams in software design.