A survey on testing technique empirical studies: how limited is our knowledge

Author(s):  
N. Juristo ◽  
A.M. Moreno ◽  
S. Vegas
Information ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 392
Author(s):  
Zhenglong Xiang ◽  
Hongrun Wu ◽  
Fei Yu

The test oracle problem exists widely in modern complex software testing, and metamorphic testing (MT) has become a promising testing technique to alleviate this problem. The inference of efficient metamorphic relations (MRs) is the core problem of metamorphic testing. Studies have proven that the combination of simple metamorphic relations can construct more efficient metamorphic relations. In most previous studies, metamorphic relations have been mainly manually inferred by experts with professional knowledge, which is an inefficient technique and hinders the application. In this paper, a genetic algorithm-based approach is proposed to construct composite metamorphic relations automatically for the program to be tested. We use a set of relation sequences to represent a particular class of MRs and turn the problem of inferring composite MRs into a problem of searching for suitable sequences. We then dynamically implement multiple executions of the program and use a genetic algorithm to search for the optimal set of relation sequences. We conducted empirical studies to evaluate our approach using scientific functions in the GNU scientific library (abbreviated as GSL). From the empirical results, our approach can automatically infer high-quality composite MRs, on average, five times more than basic MRs. More importantly, the inferred composite MRs can increase the fault detection capabilities by at least 30 % more than the original metamorphic relations.


Author(s):  
MATS SKOGLUND ◽  
PER RUNESON

One regression test selection technique proposed for object-oriented programs is the Class firewall regression test selection technique. The selection technique selects test cases for regression test, which test changed classes and classes depending on changed classes. However, in empirical studies of the application of the technique, we observed that another technique found the same defects, selected fewer tests and required a simpler, less costly, analysis. The technique, which we refer to as the Change-based regression test selection technique, is basically the Class firewall technique, but with the class firewall removed. In this paper we formulate a hypothesis stating that these empirical observations are not incidental, but an inherent property of the Class firewall technique. We prove that the hypothesis holds for Java in a stable testing environment, and conclude that the effectiveness of the Class firewall regression testing technique can be improved without sacrificing the defect detection capability of the technique, by removing the class firewall.


Author(s):  
Debi A. LaPlante ◽  
Heather M. Gray ◽  
Pat M. Williams ◽  
Sarah E. Nelson

Abstract. Aims: To discuss and review the latest research related to gambling expansion. Method: We completed a literature review and empirical comparison of peer reviewed findings related to gambling expansion and subsequent gambling-related changes among the population. Results: Although gambling expansion is associated with changes in gambling and gambling-related problems, empirical studies suggest that these effects are mixed and the available literature is limited. For example, the peer review literature suggests that most post-expansion gambling outcomes (i. e., 22 of 34 possible expansion outcomes; 64.7 %) indicate no observable change or a decrease in gambling outcomes, and a minority (i. e., 12 of 34 possible expansion outcomes; 35.3 %) indicate an increase in gambling outcomes. Conclusions: Empirical data related to gambling expansion suggests that its effects are more complex than frequently considered; however, evidence-based intervention might help prepare jurisdictions to deal with potential consequences. Jurisdictions can develop and evaluate responsible gambling programs to try to mitigate the impacts of expanded gambling.


2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silke Paulmann ◽  
Sarah Jessen ◽  
Sonja A. Kotz

The multimodal nature of human communication has been well established. Yet few empirical studies have systematically examined the widely held belief that this form of perception is facilitated in comparison to unimodal or bimodal perception. In the current experiment we first explored the processing of unimodally presented facial expressions. Furthermore, auditory (prosodic and/or lexical-semantic) information was presented together with the visual information to investigate the processing of bimodal (facial and prosodic cues) and multimodal (facial, lexic, and prosodic cues) human communication. Participants engaged in an identity identification task, while event-related potentials (ERPs) were being recorded to examine early processing mechanisms as reflected in the P200 and N300 component. While the former component has repeatedly been linked to physical property stimulus processing, the latter has been linked to more evaluative “meaning-related” processing. A direct relationship between P200 and N300 amplitude and the number of information channels present was found. The multimodal-channel condition elicited the smallest amplitude in the P200 and N300 components, followed by an increased amplitude in each component for the bimodal-channel condition. The largest amplitude was observed for the unimodal condition. These data suggest that multimodal information induces clear facilitation in comparison to unimodal or bimodal information. The advantage of multimodal perception as reflected in the P200 and N300 components may thus reflect one of the mechanisms allowing for fast and accurate information processing in human communication.


2000 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Greasley

It has been estimated that graphology is used by over 80% of European companies as part of their personnel recruitment process. And yet, after over three decades of research into the validity of graphology as a means of assessing personality, we are left with a legacy of equivocal results. For every experiment that has provided evidence to show that graphologists are able to identify personality traits from features of handwriting, there are just as many to show that, under rigorously controlled conditions, graphologists perform no better than chance expectations. In light of this confusion, this paper takes a different approach to the subject by focusing on the rationale and modus operandi of graphology. When we take a closer look at the academic literature, we note that there is no discussion of the actual rules by which graphologists make their assessments of personality from handwriting samples. Examination of these rules reveals a practice founded upon analogy, symbolism, and metaphor in the absence of empirical studies that have established the associations between particular features of handwriting and personality traits proposed by graphologists. These rules guide both popular graphology and that practiced by professional graphologists in personnel selection.


2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanneke de Graaf ◽  
Ine Vanwesenbeeck ◽  
Liesbeth Woertman ◽  
Wim Meeus

This review examines associations between parenting styles and the psychosexual development of adolescents. Methods and results of empirical studies of associations between parental support, control, and knowledge and the sexual behavior and sexual health of adolescents are described and evaluated. The results show that, in general, higher scores on support, control, and knowledge relate to a delay of first sexual intercourse, safer sexual practices, and higher sexual competence. Despite the vast amount of literature on this subject, the majority of these studies focus on single dimensions of parenting and unidirectional parenting influences. This review generates hypotheses regarding interactions of different parenting styles and reciprocal associations between parents and their children. There is a need for more dynamic, dialectical studies of parenting, and children’s sexual development.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 312-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Moreira ◽  
Fernando Barbosa

Abstract. Delay discounting (DD) is the process of devaluing results that happen in the future. With this review, we intend to identify specificities in the processes of DD in impulsive behavior. Studies were retrieved from multiple literature databases, through rigorous criteria (we included systematic reviews and empirical studies with adult human subjects), following the procedures of the Cochrane Collaboration initiative. Of the 174 documents obtained, 19 were considered eligible for inclusion and were retained for in-depth analysis. In addition, 13 studies from the manual search were included. Thus, a total of 32 studies were selected for review. The objectives/hypotheses, results, and the main conclusion(s) were extracted from each study. Results show that people with pronounced traits of impulsivity discount rewards more markedly, that is, they prefer immediate rewards, though of less value, or postponed losses, even though they worsen in the future. Taken together, the existing data suggest the importance of inserting DD as a tool for initial assessment in conjunction with measures of addiction and stress level, as well as the consideration of new therapies.


Author(s):  
Christoph Klimmt

This comment briefly examines the history of entertainment research in media psychology and welcomes the conceptual innovations in the contribution by Oliver and Bartsch (this issue). Theoretical perspectives for improving and expanding the “appreciation” concept in entertainment psychology are outlined. These refer to more systematic links of appreciation to the psychology of mixed emotions, to positive psychology, and to the psychology of death and dying – in particular, to terror management theory. In addition, methodological challenges are discussed that entertainment research faces when appreciation and the experience of “meaning for life” need to be addressed in empirical studies of media enjoyment.


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