AMA about Epistemology - the practice of testing
18 Mar 2026
Inspired by the following challenge: https://www.ministryoftesting.com/moments/create-a-moment-ask-motaverse-anything/
Often we're asked 'what does QA do?' It should be a simple answer, and yet we're left stuttering. Most answers will revolve around 'finding bugs' or 'testing' or 'improving quality.' The issues with these answers is 1) they are vague in themselves. and 2) they are all jobs that could be accomplished by other stakeholders - developers, project leads, managers, etc. It puts QA into a gap that could eventually be filled by someone else.
Years of my professional career has been a journey to answer this question, and the answer I found is Epistemology. QA navigates beliefs in search of the truth.
So, AMA about Epistemology and how we can define QA
Just reply with a question in the comments and I'll reply with a new moment per question – and will tag the person who asked it.
Shawn Vernier
Quality Engineer
He/Him
The answer to quality is context.
Simon Tomes
Can you share some examples where epistemology highlights the limits of what testing can actually prove?
Demi Van Malcot
What is the biggest change to your definition of QA that you dive into epistemology has caused?
Sign in
to comment
Better than a generic video, see YOUR test, live, ready to show you what matters most: quality at scale.
Explore MoT
Boost your career in software testing with the MoT Software Testing Essentials Certificate. Learn essential skills, from basic testing techniques to advanced risk analysis, crafted by industry experts.
Debrief the week in Quality via a community radio show hosted by Simon Tomes and members of the community
