Using Non-Verbal Expressions as a Tool in Naming Research

TL;DR

This paper explores the use of non-verbal expressions like emojis in naming research to reduce bias and increase diversity in developer-generated names, offering a novel approach to studying naming behavior.

Contribution

It introduces a method of using emojis and graphics in naming experiments to mitigate language bias and demonstrates its effectiveness through a replication study.

Findings

More diverse and less biased naming choices with emojis

Reduced influence of descriptive words in naming

Enhanced understanding of non-verbal cues in naming

Abstract

Variable and function names are extremely important for program comprehension. It is therefore also important to study how developers select names. But controlled experiments on naming are hindered by the need to describe to experimental subjects what it is they need to name. Words appearing in these descriptions may then find their way into the names, leading to a bias in the results. We suggest that this problem can be alleviated by using emojis or other small graphics in lieu of key words in the descriptions. A replication of previous work on naming, this time including such emojis and graphics, indeed led to a more diverse and less biased choice of words in the names than when using English descriptions.