Breaking the Flow: A Study of Interruptions During Software Engineering Activities
In software engineering, interruptions during tasks can have significant implications for productivity and well-being. While previous studies have investigated the effect of interruptions on productivity, to the best of our knowledge, no prior work has yet distinguished the effect of different types of interruptions on software engineering activities. This study explores the impact of interruptions on software engineering tasks, analyzing in-person and on-screen interruptions with different levels of urgency and dominance. Participants completed code writing, code comprehension, and code review tasks while experiencing interruptions. We collect physiological data using the Empatica EmbracePlus wristband and self-perceived evaluations through surveys. Results show that on-screen interruptions with high dominance of requester significantly increased time spent on code comprehension. In-person and on-screen interruptions combined significantly affect the time spent on code review, with varied effects based on specific interruption combinations. Both interruption type and task significantly influence stress measures, with code comprehension and review tasks associated with lower stress measures compared to code writing. Interestingly, in-person interruptions have a positive impact on physiological measures, indicating reduced stress measures. However, participants’ self-perceived stress scores do not align with physiological data, with higher stress reported during in-person interruptions despite lower physiological stress measures. These findings emphasize the importance of considering the complex relationship between interruptions, objective measures, and subjective experiences in software development. We discuss insights that we hope can inform interruption management and implications on stress among software engineers.
Wed 17 AprDisplayed time zone: Lisbon change
11:00 - 12:30 | Human and Social 1Software Engineering in Society / Research Track / Software Engineering Education and Training at Glicínia Quartin Chair(s): Grischa Liebel Reykjavik University | ||
11:00 15mTalk | Breaking the Flow: A Study of Interruptions During Software Engineering Activities Research Track Pre-print | ||
11:15 15mTalk | Supporting Web-based API Searches in the IDE Using Signatures Research Track Nick Bradley University of British Columbia, Thomas Fritz University of Zurich, Reid Holmes University of British Columbia | ||
11:30 15mTalk | Adopting an Agile Approach for Reflective Learning and Teaching Software Engineering Education and Training | ||
11:45 15mTalk | Experiences with Summer Camp Communication via Discord Software Engineering Education and Training Makayla Moster Clemson University, Ella Kokinda Clemson Univeristy, D. Matthew Boyer Clemson University, Paige Rodeghero Clemson University | ||
12:00 15mTalk | With Great Humor Comes Great Developer Engagement Software Engineering in Society Deepika Tiwari KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Tim Toady Programming Republic of Perl, Martin Monperrus KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Benoit Baudry KTH | ||
12:15 7mTalk | Using Accessibility Awareness Interventions to Improve Computing Education Software Engineering Education and Training Yang Liu Rochester Institute of Technology, Domenic Mangano RIT, Krishna Neupane Rochester Institute of Technology, Samuel Malachowsky Rochester Institute of Technology, Daniel Krutz Rochester Institute of Technology |