Peer Review on Open-Source Software Projects: Parameters, Statistical Models, and Theory

摘要: Peer review is seen as an important quality-assurance mechanism in both industrial development and the open-source software (OSS) community. The techniques for performing inspections have been well studied industry; OSS development, peer reviews are not understood.To develop empirical understanding of review, we examine policies 25 projects study archival records six large, mature, successful projects. We extract a series measures based on those used traditional inspection experiments. measure frequency size contribution under level participation during experience expertise individuals involved interval, number issues discussed review. create statistical models efficiency, effectiveness, to determine which largest impact efficacy.We find that conducted asynchronously by empowered experts who focus changes their area expertise. Reviewers provide timely, regular feedback small changes. descriptive statistics clearly show drastically different from inspection.