Adopting softer approaches in the study of repository data: a comparative analysis

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aut.conference.typePaper Published in Proceedings
aut.relation.endpage245
aut.relation.startpage240
aut.researcherMacDonell, Stephen Gerard
dc.contributor.authorLicorish, SA
dc.contributor.authorMacDonell, SG
dc.contributor.editorSilva, FQBD
dc.contributor.editorJuzgado, NJ
dc.contributor.editorTravassos, GH
dc.date.accessioned2013-06-24T07:21:44Z
dc.date.accessioned2013-06-24T23:47:50Z
dc.date.available2013-06-24T07:21:44Z
dc.date.available2013-06-24T23:47:50Z
dc.date.copyright2013
dc.date.issued2013
dc.description.abstractContext: Given the acknowledged need to understand the people processes enacted during software development, software repositories and mailing lists have become a focus for many studies. However, researchers have tended to use mostly mathematical and frequency-based techniques to examine the software artifacts contained within them. Objective: There is growing recognition that these approaches uncover only a partial picture of what happens during software projects, and deeper contextual approaches may provide further understanding of the intricate nature of software teams' dynamics. We demonstrate the relevance and utility of such approaches in this study. Method: We use psycholinguistics and directed content analysis (CA) to study the way project tasks drive teams' attitudes and knowledge sharing. We compare the outcomes of these two approaches and offer methodological advice for researchers using similar forms of repository data. Results: Our analysis reveals significant differences in the way teams work given their portfolio of tasks and the distribution of roles. Conclusion: We overcome the limitations associated with employing purely quantitative approaches, while avoiding the time-intensive and potentially invasive nature of field work required in full case studies.
dc.identifier.citationIn Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Evaluation and Assessment in Software Engineering (EASE). Pp 240-245.
dc.identifier.doi10.1145/2460999.2461035
dc.identifier.isbn978-1-4503-1848-8
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10292/5501
dc.publisherACM
dc.relation.replaceshttp://hdl.handle.net/10292/5495
dc.relation.replaces10292/5495
dc.relation.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1145/2460999.2461035
dc.rights© ACM, 2013. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of ACM for your personal use. Not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in PUBLICATION (see Citation), (see Publisher’s Version).
dc.rights.accessrightsOpenAccess
dc.subjectSoftware teams
dc.subjectPsycholinguistics
dc.subjectContent analysis
dc.subjectCommunication
dc.subjectJazz
dc.titleAdopting softer approaches in the study of repository data: a comparative analysis
dc.typeConference Contribution
pubs.elements-id142258
pubs.organisational-data/AUT
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/Design & Creative Technologies
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/Design & Creative Technologies/School of Computing & Mathematical Science
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